Entry tunnel to Sarka, Klos 19th, 350AC, 08:40  (underground, 65 degrees, crescent moon)

[audio:https://gwevolution.netfarious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tower.mp3|autostart=yes]

The path levels off and heads into the distance, in a straight direction for once.  After all the marching and no chill breeze, you are starting to feel hot in your winter clothing.  After a few hundred feet, you can see some dim lights ahead that show the tunnel opening up into a larger space.

The badders in the lead scurry out of the tunnel and form up in a semicircle.  Your group and the head badder (colorfully robed one) walk out into the space and pause.  You are looking out into a vast bowl-like cavern.  A massive stone keep rises from the center and helps support the ceiling like a column.  Four stone bridges extend along the ceiling from the keep to the edges of the cavern.  Numerous badder soldiers peer down from the keep and bridges, some operating spear throwing siege engines.  They look down upon the hundreds and hundreds of huts and structures (some of stone, but mostly made of wood-like mushroom stalks and caps) that fill the floor of the cavern.  The area is dimly lit by countless small lanterns, like the one your escort carries.  Some are fixed in place, but many are carried by the various badders you see moving though the buildings.  The scene reminds you of fireflies.  The air immediately gets warmer, and much muskier.

The colorfully dressed badder gestures with his cane, while snuffling and snarling in the badder language.  Yet you all somehow understand it:  “You are among the few outsiders to be allowed here.  THIS  IS  SARKA!!”

Entry tunnel to Sarka, Klos 19th, 350AC, 08:25  (dawn, 50 degrees, crescent moon)

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The colorfully dressed badder strides into the tunnel.  The badder light infantry form a ring around you.  Some sprint forward, others flank your group, and the rest take up the rear and snarl or poke at your group with their weapons, as they essentially herd you forward.

One of the badders grabs a metal lantern off a hook, just to one side of the carved stone arch that frames the tunnel.  It glows with a yellow flickering light that barely illuminates the rough hewn tunnel in which you tread.  Your group walks, and the tunnel descends into the earth, at first gently, then steeply.  The temperature raises as you leave the frigid winter air above.  You walk downhill, and the tunnel turns to the right.  And turns to the right.  And turns to the right.  You realize that you are spiraling downward in a lazy corkscrew.  After awhile, the “herd” sidesteps into a side tunnel, although the corkscrew tunnel continues downward.

Any actions at this point?

Badder Tower, courtyard, Klos 19th, 350AC, 08:10  (dawn, 38 degrees, crescent moon)

[audio:https://gwevolution.netfarious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/tower.mp3|autostart=yes]

The 17 badders surround your group of 9, and escort you to the duralloy tower.  You pass through the metal gates, and even though the average badder is about 4′ tall, the doors are so large that Arvak at 8′ doesn’t have to duck to pass inside.  Walking through the dimly lit gatehouse is like walking under a massive bridge (thick metal walls to your right, left, and above your heads).  You move into a courtyard, lit by some flickering lanterns set into the structure.

Metal walls rise above you on all sides, and a number of badder archers peer down at you from inset balconies above.  There is a stone staircase ahead and to the left of you, which leads up to a large sturdy looking door.  The main path leads up to a stone archway that frames the beginning of a dark tunnel that leads into the earth.  Standing at stark attention are about 15 badder hoplites.  Each is decked out in a face plate, breast-plate, and greaves made of duralloy.  They carry duralloy spears, and wear second melee weapons on their belts which look like 2′ long tridents.  Another badder, dressed in a simple brown colored tunic, carries an ancient clipboard full of paper and wields an ancient ballpoint pen.  As you approach, he snarls and gabbers back and forth with the colorfully clothed one leading your group (this time you do not understand them).

Turning towards you and clicking his cane upon the stones on the ground, the badder speaks to you again, and you comprehend his badder-speak yet again:  “You will declare your business in Sarka!  Also, state your names, titles, and professions for the record.”  You feel a slight buzzing sensation as he speaks.

Zeebo, see your private post.

Byllka Forest, badder guest hut, Klos 19th, 350AC, 08:00  (dawn, 38 degrees, crescent moon)

[audio:https://gwevolution.netfarious.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/gift.mp3|autostart=yes]

Early morning is much darker under the byllka pods, but as the dim light filters in, the gate at the large tower slowly swings open.  A group of badders move out into the open, head down the main path, and stop in front of your hut.

16 badder warriors look you over, gripping their weapons.  Some are snarling and sneering, while others look bored.  Another badder steps forward, and you see that he is dressed rather differently than the others.  Rather than leather or metal armor, he wears clothing made of some sort of dark plant fiber, upon which a mozaic of colorful flat smooth objects have been attached.  They may be made of plastic, glass, insect shell, or other substances.  He carries a dark wooden cane with a metal tip, and a metal handle shaped like a lizards head.

The badder looks at your group with sharp glaring yellow eyes.  There is an odd heavy feeling in the air.  He starts to speak in the snarling badder tongue, and as he does so, each of you can somehow understand him, as if you spoke badder!  “His greatness, the mighty king, Rrullka, has decreed that you outsiders (“shrak’l”) may enter the city of Sarka.  You have been sponsored by Sir Cyr and shall stay as his guests.  You have been granted an audience with the king tomorrow evening.  We will now escort you inside.”  He gestures towards the tower with his cane…