From the Continuing Journal of Alan Pogomain.
There we were, me and my small group of adventurers. We had found the hidden path just like the ancient map showed. Warily we walked on. The thick brush surrounded us on all sides, yet somehow the path ahead was relatively clear. The occasional thick branch needed a good machete swipe or two, but the path looked like it was used often.
Thoughts of some long forgotten tribe or ancient civilization crossed my mind more than once now.
The silence was disturbed every so often by a native bird cawing or the accidental crack of a fallen twig being stepped on. Alert as we were we reached for our weapons from time to time.
Our journey continued onward. The further we went the closer we were getting to the unknown. We had no idea what to expect. Vague clues on the map were our only guide..Pictures of a bird-like creature, a ziggurat or pyramid perhaps, ancient hieroglyphics dating further back than anything I had ever seen.
I ordered the party to stop for a few minutes to double check their weapons. I was carrying a Bowie knife in a hip holster, my twin revolvers in the side holsters, and slung over my shoulder- my trustee rifle. We agreed to take in some water and chew on some biltong.
Looking up I noticed the thick green cover we had was slowly thinning away, blue skies were in front of us. perhaps a good omen? But then, someone in the party pointed out that the animal sounds we heard were fewer between than was the norm for this country.
After our short break our expedition continued onward. The silence slowly gave away to rhythmic chanting and drum beating in the distance. We prepared our weapons but kept them in a position to show whoever we were to meet ahead that we came in peace.
We came to the edge of a small ridge and to our surprise, we saw an ancient ritual being performed.
Circles of dancers with large feathers adorning their clothes dancing as if imitating a bird. The drummers all had headdresses on with these large feathers in them as well.
Unfortunately, one of our men was too clumsy and fell forward making a noise heard even over the tribal drums and chanting. They all stopped and looked up at our party. With incredible speed we were surrounded by tribal warriors, bird-like in clothing, holding spears aimed at us! Quickly, I was somehow able to relate to them that we meant no harm. I showed them the ancient map and at that instant a tribal elder grabbed it and held it over his head, yelling some tribal gibberish and pointing at me!...
At this startling turn of events, the tribal elder pointing at me and the ancient map I had, I had no idea what to expect next. As if my thoughts were answered, what sounded like a huge gong was rung thrice. Out of the temple before us, a ziggurat of some kind, walked what I can only imagine would be the tribes high priestess, dressed in nothing but red faethers and a heddress resembling a giant bird.
At this point one of our retainers, who only now, told me he could make out slightly what they were saying. He explained that they were celebrating the 'great bird's return'. Whatever that meant. From further deducing on our behalf, they were able to explain to me that the 'treasure' on the map was located in the temple and that only I could go forth through the 'trials' to get there!.
But first, to help 'prepare' me for this, they offered us a feast of a black liquid, which tasted of mild bitter coffee and some flat circular food tasting bread-like..
After the feast, we were assured my men would be safe as I ventured forth into the trials of the temple...
I had been walking through the dark passages of the temple for what seemed like hours. Luckily I was able to take my backpack with me. I had made sure to take some essentials- extra torches, a lighter, some rope, my journal and pen, a makeshift first aid kit, some water and bitlong, I was even allowed to take my weapons with me. Even though they let me take all this, it was the looks on their faces when they said it would be ok. They looked as if saying to me all this wont help.
As I ventured on, my spirits lifted as I saw a faint light ahead. As I approached, I was wary of any traps that might be sprung. I neared the room from where the light was coming, and slowly looked around the corner into the lighted room. I saw what appeared to be a temple room of some kind. Torches lit on the walls, glowing braziers and what appeared to be a giant golden statue of a bird. Sitting in front of the bird was a large egg, golden in color, and from this vantage point and distance it looked like it was encrusted with gems of all sorts!
I steadied myself in the doorway. I took one of the extinguished torches and pushed down on one of the stone tiles. Darts shot out from both walls. What an ingenious and original trap! My wits were surely to be tested now.
With all skill of the seasoned adventurer I was, I decided on the only course of action. Run like hell for that egg! With deft swiftness and agility I was able to dodge the dart traps and had arrived at the egg. Oddly, there were no dart traps here. I cautiously looked around for any traps. None could be seen. The egg was just sitting there. I placed both hands firmly on each side of the egg and lifted it slowly. Nothing had happened yet so I placed the egg in my backpack, making sure it was secure and slung it over my shoulder.
Seconds later, a rumbling was heard and the room began to shake. Looking around I saw cracks in the floors, ceiling and walls. I ran for the doorway as if lighting had entered my legs carrying me faster than I thought possible. Around me pieces of ceiling were falling mad tiles of the floor were cracking and falling into what looked like a bottomless abyss!
I made it out of the room but found my original way out blocked. It seemed the whole place was collapsing! I quickly turned the other way and went down the dark hallway. Another light up ahead could be seen and I took that as a sign of salvation. As I looked ahead I could see light and caught myself, stopping on a dime, as the saying goes, at the foot of another bottomless chasm! I looked around quickly and found a sturdy vine in which I released from the wall and was able to swing across to the other side as the edge I had just been standing on gave way and crumbled into the pit.
I landed on the other side, but with the rumbling and quaking going on I had no time to stop. I kept running down another passageway, trying to run faster as I felt the floor crumbling beneath my heels.
To my dismay, ahead of me I saw a wall. A dead end? NO not after all this. With all strength and will to survive I began pounding on the wall. I pushed and lo and behold the wall moved backward! Ah, a hidden door! It stopped moving and suddenly, without warning, the floor gave out under me! Seconds later I relaized it was a chute I was sliding down. But to where? I could not fathom. What felt like an eternity later, I saw yet another bright light and this time heard music playing. This music wasnt that of the ancient tribe I had encountered earlier, but something more familiar to my ears.
As I neared another wall, thinking I would be smashed to pieces, the wall slid open. The chute ended, but my momentum carried me. I landed and flat on my back too. I kept my eyes closed for a moment and felt a hardwood floor. I opened my eyes and saw a large room- a bar with someone singing ad many creatures dancing and playing about- a few kittehs and puppehs and humans.
A voice, in perfect English then spoke. 'Welcome to the Rookery, Mr. Pogomain!'...
and that was by request I posted that here yesterday. AH, go ahead post it here! lets read it!! 
