Dead Bridge II: The Totem of the Sky

The next morning N’Keth returns to his task of locating the power source of the bridge projector. He concludes that the machine is missing a radiant stone and his mind immediately turns to building a converter who would transfer the energy of the Bio-Diesel engine of the Dwarven autowagon to the bridge projector.

Meanwhile at base camp Kozue and Sherman prepare to cross the Dead Bridge. Kozue conjures a fire elemental from a pyre she built and Sherman fishes a lizard cologne out of the otherworld. Boldened by their preparation they decide to abandon the plan of reactivating the projector and start to cross the bridge. N'Keth who had returned to work on the engine abides.

Repelled by the lizard stench the biomechanical spiders refrain from engaging with the party. After two days they arrive at a huge skeletal tower, miles high and buffeted by the winds that rises from the center of the bridge. When they pass through they find warning signs in several languages and synthetic veins pumping pink and red saps up the tower. Kozue is reminded of the pink goo that was feeding the mother vome back at the Garnet Ford.

Before they start the ascend N’Keth cobbles together a makeshift harness from fishing line and various bits and pieces to safeguard the climbers against being blown off by the wind. After hours of climbing they find a platform to rest for a while and enjoy the spectacular view. To the West lie the Endless Houses, the ruins of a city that must have been destroyed by an apocalyptical event. On the platform they find the carcass of an Androform Husk gruesomely killed by a large predator, which N’Keth concludes must have been the Vile he is chasing. They continue until night falls and huddle together on a barely wind protected platform high above the bridge. The next morning after hours of climbing the air gets so thin that they finally decide to turn around.

Two days later N’Keth who is working on the biofuel fermenter notices a figure from the rear of the caravan approaching fast: A Quarter-Ling covered in apocalyptic runes and wielding an ancient spear. Kozue quickly draws protective symbols on the dirt and elevates them into the air such that the runes when viewed through the dust loses its terrifying effect. Sherman unable to hear N’Keth shouting for support from the turrets (over the loud country music Vigo is listening to) spots the attacker through the rea-view mirror and convinces Vigo to turn the Truck so that he can get a nice shot – with his camera!  

Without slowing his advance the Quarter-Ling strikes at Kozue who parries the blow. N’Keth runs to the truck and mans the turret but stricken by fear he misses the attacker. The Quarter-Ling vaults over the truck dealing another blow but missing N’Keth. With a flick of his wrist Sherman shoots the fishing line at the tattooed creature trapping his legs. Unable to keep his balance the Quarter-Ling falls to the ground.