Cinder nods at the torch, it would be useful, especially so that they would not choke on smoke, small though any fire might be.
"You mean there's a path up there?" she askes Bosh. "I guess we're not getting more wet then."
"I can't tell if there's a path or no but there are some tracks that a group climbed here, let's go up and find out." Bosh while waiting for Oleg to go up, he enjoys the comfort of the cave and the cold walls of rock,
When Oleg drops the rope, "Ladies first?" He grabs the rope and offers it to Cinder.
Cinder nods, and grabs the rope and climbs up.
You all easily make the climb, but when you turn to offer the rope to Alexander, you see him sling his musket over his shoulder, give you a curious salute, and lower himself back into the fetid water and back towards town.
A collection of stalactites and stalagmites choke this low-ceilinged cavern, making it difficult to squeeze between them. Matching stalactites close in from the five-foot-high ceiling, giving the impression of a maw of needlelike teeth bearing down on one another.
Right near the edge of your light sources - but not too far for Bosh's darkvision - a dead half-orc sprawls on the ground near the cave’s eastern entrance. Beyond the corpse, you can see another light source in the cave beyond, one that appears to be moving slightly.
Though Cinder is only somewhat familiar with the dead face, Bosh remembers well that this is Parda Garr. A half-orc, Parda was a popular brawler in town, and that she was one of those who traveled with several thugs into the caverns as part of one of the earlier expeditions. Almost everyone called her a friend, and many felt that her falling in with the thugs was going to be her end—turns out, they were right. Returning her body for a proper burial ensures the gratitude of those who mourn her loss.
Cinder pauses at the corpse, then murmurs, "Sasha didn't look to be coming back. There are likely more beetles or worse up ahead. Shall we leave this one here for now, and try to come back later?"
Upon seeing the dead body of the half-orc, Oleg's face pales and he makes a sign to Cayden Cailean. He takes a moment to take out one of his ales and takes a deep swig to calm his nerves, offering the same to anyone else who needs a drink to look at the corpse.
Oleg asks Cinder and Bosh, "How did she die?" seeming to need a minute to steel himself enough to take a close look on his own.
Noticing the moving light up ahead, Oleg calls out "Heeello? It's safe, you can come out. The bugs won't hurt you, it's ok now. Hello?" Turning back to Cinder and Bosh, Oleg says "I think I saw that light up ahead move, it has to be the survivors!"
Cinder glares at the big man as she quickly checks on the half-orc.
She also makes sure the rope is still available if they have to climb down quickly to escape something.
The stalagmite-filled chamber that you are in is about fifty feet long (E-W), but only five to seven feet wide (N-S), making maneuvering a little tricky, but not impossible.
As Cinder examines the body, Oleg sees the light begin making its way closer to the eastern entrance of the long, narrow cave. You can tell that it is getting quite close, but still have some time to maneuver away if you wish.
"Parda...people warned her about those thugs...it's a shame..." Bosh says with a fragile voice and sadness on his face,
After hearing Oleg and seeing the light, Bosh backs up and gets close to a rock to use as cover and trying to see what is the light that is coming closer...
Oleg considers his options under his breath "What if it's some mother beetle?" he pauses "Attack from below the ledge? Hmm, hide behind these stalagmites? No, no" He pauses for a moment "Ah, I know!"
In a moment of inspiration, Oleg picks up the rope from the ground and quickly ties it into a knotted loop. He kicks the fire beetle gland that he threw up here further down the passage and begins to swing the lasso in anticipation. Turning to the party, Oleg whispers "Just in case it's not one of the survivors".
Oleg uses his Martial Flexibility to gain the Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Lasso) combat feat. Presuming that allows him to tie his rope into a lasso, he does so. Then he kicks the fire beetle gland away from the party toward the other end of the cavern, let's say 20 feet and readies to attack anything that doesn't look like an expedition survivor with the lasso as soon as it comes into range (10').
It is a curious sight to watch this large man toss a glowing bug, then whip a long rope around. Who knew this might happen?
From the eastern end of the stalagmite cave, you see the source of the light emerge from the corner and peer your direction. Or, rather, you assume that source is there, because all you can see are two overwhelmingling bright lights pointed directly at you!
Though it feels as though the light might bore out your own eyes, you get a hand in place to block the worst of it and see a grotesque, frog-like creature emerge and set upon the dead fire beetle. After a moment, it turns its head toward, bleats out a disgusting croak, and resumes chewing on the remains of the bug.
"I don't know what that is, but its in our way, and it didn't kill Parda. I don't think frog-thing there can use daggers."
Cinder gets up, and readies to head back down the ledge for distance from the frog-thing.
"It's like looking directly at the sun!" Oleg looks down towards the ground, hoping to avoid starting full on at the creature again. "Maybe it's just hungry, do you recognize what that thing even is?"
"Perhaps we should take a cue from that Alexander fellow, and get back to town. We can take back Parda's body, let her friends and family know what happened. Besides, we should talk someone else into this foolishness, the three of us alone feels a little light" Oleg stops talking momentarily and stares at his sagging weight "We can see if anyone in town has some smoked glasses for sale or at least a mirror to deal with Mr. Sunshine over there, and we can see what kind of contraption that Khonnir fellow brought out of here and dropped off in his workshop." Oleg pauses to see if Cinder and Bosh like the plan.
Oleg gently and carefully tosses the lasso around one of Parda's limbs, hoping to quietly drag the body back towards the cliff edge.
You are able to pull the body somewhat awkwardly through the forest of stalagmites.
You retreat to the main cave, and take a quick look around the corner to the north. A shallow creek runs through the middle of this cavern, while to the south a stony bank rises up from the water. Thick carpets of green and gray mold and fungus grow on the bank, particularly around a trio of three-foot-high, foul smelling mounds.
If you wish to exit the caves, you can submerge yourself in the water again and head back towards town easily enough.
Cinder looks at the moldy creek, and the mounds there.
"Sheesh. Where is a nice, cleansing fire when you need one?" She turns to the others. "I don't like the idea of retreating so soon, but... I never expected it to be like this! I'd've brought some torches at the very least!"
"Well we could wait for the giant frog to leave and then continue our way..." responds to Cinder, he wanted to go on but if the others won't, he wouldn't risk it alone.
In response to Cinder, Oleg says "I have three torches, but I bet they're still too wet to light from our swim in here". He motions to the three mounds "I have a feeling those three small hills of mold and fungus might be more of the expedition, but let's come back for them later."
Big Oleg uses his rope to tie up the body of Parda to make it a little easier to swim with, then proceeds to secure his belonging for the swim back to town. Although the water breathing spell is still active, Oleg tries to hold his breath for as long as possible as he swims back. "I've drunk some filthy liquors in my day, but nothing like this!"
"Then let's be on our way" Bosh prepares his equipment to submerge himself in the water, he pulls out pincers to put on his nose preventing the water from entering it and grabs some breath as he forgot about the water breathing spell,
"The smell on this place will be hard to remove" Bosh complains and jumps on the water.
Cinder nods, and follows the two, being careful to stay distant from the corpse.
You return to town, after retching up a good amount of the disgusting water. Several townsfolk see your burden, and dismay is apparent on most faces. One man says, "Used to watch Parda fight - never a meaner left hook! A sad end to a good pugilist."
You pass the Copper Coin on your way to the General Store, and see a curiously dressed outsider lounging in a chair. She has a strange device that you've seen few of before - a pistol - and appears to be dressed in a wide-brimmed hat, smoked glasses, and a curious wrap over her shoulders.
Oleg suggests that the body of Parda be taken to the Chapel of the Wanderer, "They run the local graveyard and can give her a proper burial"
Passing by the Copper Coin, Oleg sees the strangely dressed woman and waves a hello to the stranger with his free hand. Then Oleg realizes how he must look, wet, stinking and carrying a dead body on his shoulder he is suddenly embarrassed. "It's not what it looks like, we're rescuing some adventurers that went into the caves under town. Well, rescuing or recovering, I guess." he apologetically explains before pausing again, trying to think of something else to say, and then sheepishly waving again as he shifts Parda's weight from one shoulder to the other.
@ walking by the Copper Coin
"As he said, we are just delivering the body, we didn't do anything." Bosh tells the stranger while he tries to keep up with the long strides of Oleg, the stranger weapons seemed like the one's Sokolov had and that intrigued Bosh, the devies they used were powerful but lacked speed while reloading and Bosh had ideas for that...Smoked glasses! He realized the strange woman is wearing them and they needed some...
"Excuse me, where did you got those?" Bosh walks towards the woman with fast footsteps and he stops too close and speed talks some questions,
"You sell them? Want to help us explore a cave? How much they cost? is that a small rifle? We need glasses like that"
@ Chapel
Bosh removes his hat in respect and pulls out 2 gold coins for the caretaker,
"Make sure to call everyone that knew her..." he says with a saddened voice, "Rest well Parda" Bosh pats the body and smiles, after the bettles, Parda's body and the strange frog-thing he was starting to doubt about the quest...
"Are we going back or what is the plan?" He ask the others with not much confidence in his face.
At the Chapel of the Wanderer
Oleg hands over ten gold to the caretaker "To pay for the coffin" Then turns to the body of Parda and whispers "Rest easy, we will bring whoever did this to justice" Oleg then walks outside and finishes off his bottle of ale, having some difficulty in dealing with death. He mutters "Bad business this, and I thought it would be a good day..."
Later that day
Once reunited with the party, Oleg is also interested in acquiring some smoked glasses or goggles, and suggests the group visit the general store or the guildhouse to look for them.
Afterwards, Oleg would like to see the contraption that the council mentioned Khonnir brought back, as he "has a little experience with strange contraptions and it might be a clue as to what is going on under that hill, other than Boggard wizards or whatever that thing was!" He suggests going to Khonnir's workshop together tonight, and then meeting up tomorrow morning to have another go at the cave.
Scarlet stands slowly, casually. She nods to the fellow carrying the... body.
"Ahm sure 'It's not what it looks like' are the most truest words ever spoken..." She lifts her left, black gloved hand to 'tuck' at the brim of her hat in acknowledgment/acceptance.
Turning to the boisterous Dwarf she inclines her head, still with a faint smile though it's hard to tell if it reaches her eyes.
"Bought these out at... So, no... I don't sell 'em." She points with her right, gloved hand -Which has all the while hovered just above the weapon slung at her hip- ,
"This little one? She gets me by.. Least ways till I find the shine ta' get me somethin' better." She tilts her head. "No.. a pistol is a world of different than a rifle... world of different..." With casual grace Scarlet moves to accompany the damp, bedraggled group.
"So, you've made it into the caves and back? How far? Who else did you lose? Saw a feller runnin' a while back.. Were he with you?"
Cinder looks annoyed by the questions, but answers anyway. "We made it into one cave and fought a few beetles before a frog of all things tried to attack us." She shakes her head sadly.
"I did not think that a simple expedition would need so much." As she looks out across the street, her eyes narrow. "As for the one you was running, he left us without a word."
You check out the local general store after your visit to the Chapel, and in a town full of smiths and engineers it isn't hard to find smoked goggles. You are also able to check in with the local alchemists, and find that they have a couple substances that could withstand getting wet and still help burn something on the other side.
Scarlet saunters along besides the group... staying up wind of them for now as they make their way through town.
Cinder looks annoyed by the questions, but answers anyway. "We made it into one cave and fought a few beetles before a frog of all things tried to attack us." She shakes her head sadly.
Scarlet nods, "Seen some mighty big critters wandering about in the wastes on my way through to here.... So? Was it the beetles what done your friend in?" She asks, pointing to the figure Oleg is carrying.
"Or were it the frog whut done the deed?" She asks, seeking some clarification.
"I did not think that a simple expedition would need so much." As she looks out across the street, her eyes narrow. "As for the one you was running, he left us without a word."
Scarlet adjusts her hat slightly. "Man's... got to know his limitations...." She opines.....then explains a little more.
"Some folks? They don't realize their fears till they're neck deep in 'em. Maybe the feller just couldn't stand tight places?"
Oleg responds to Scarlet "Cinder here says that the wounds are dagger marks, maybe betrayal by the rest of her crew?" Oleg relaxes a little now that the conversation is going better "As you might have noticed, something's wrong with the torch this little town is named after. One of the town councilors found some caves under town that might be the reason why." Oleg pauses to take a swig, as talking so much is thirsty work. "So people started exploring, well, the braver, greedier, or foolhardier ones among us, anyway." Oleg laughs a little "The guy who discovered the caverns went missing on his second trip in, along with everyone else who went down there. We're the fifth group to try our luck, and only the second to come out to tell about it." Oleg states clearly proud of this accomplishment "The other councilors got worried enough that they put up four thousand gold for the rescue or recovery of Khonnir, their missing man. We haven't found him yet, dead or alive, but seeing as the town is suddenly short on volunteers, perhaps you'd care to join us? We're only three, we could use a hand."
Oleg continues "I was going to see what Khonnir brought back with him the only time he made it out of a cave, some kind of machine or metal man. Then we were going to dive right back into that filthy pond and rescue any survivors." Oleg declares, obviously embellishing his own limited bravery.
"Cinder here says that the wounds are dagger marks, maybe betrayal by the rest of her crew?" Oleg relaxes a little now that the conversation is going better "As you might have noticed, something's wrong with the torch this little town is named after. One of the town councilors found some caves under town that might be the reason why." Oleg pauses to take a swig, as talking so much is thirsty work. "So people started exploring, well, the braver, greedier, or foolhardier ones among us, anyway." Oleg laughs a little "The guy who discovered the caverns went missing on his second trip in, along with everyone else who went down there. We're the fifth group to try our luck, and only the second to come out to tell about it." Oleg states clearly proud of this accomplishment "The other councilors got worried enough that they put up four thousand gold for the rescue or recovery of Khonnir, their missing man. We haven't found him yet, dead or alive, but seeing as the town is suddenly short on volunteers, perhaps you'd care to join us? We're only three, we could use a hand."
Oleg continues "I was going to see what Khonnir brought back with him the only time he made it out of a cave, some kind of machine or metal man. Then we were going to dive right back into that filthy pond and rescue any survivors." Oleg declares, obviously embellishing his own limited bravery.
Scarlet nods, "Aye.. well, some big bugs and a big frog don't sound too bad..." She tilts her head a little.
"So, this 'tin man'? Truly does sound interestin'. Hey? What's this about diving? Gon'a need me some protection if'n ahm doin' any of that stuff..." Scarlet ponders what extra supplies she's going to need for such a deal.
"So... pokin' this tin man first? Gettin' me some extra protection, then maybe spendin' the night restin' and then getting back into it in the morning, huh?" Scarlet asks.
"You got magic fer tha dip, right?"
"The council provided us with some water breathing magic, but the swiming is the bad part, the water is filthy and you'll have to breath it...Ugh" Bosh answers at Scarlet,
"And I agree with that, let's go see what Khonnir brought back and tomorrow let's head to the caves again." Bosh liked the idea of resting so he could wash.
The four of you approach the Foundry Tavern around mid-day. There isn't a whole lot happening there, now that Khonnir's gone missing. Normally, it'd be abuzz with customers in the tap room and laborers renting out the foundry.
Suddenly, there's a noise from the building out back - a young woman's voice screaming from inside Khonnir's home!
Cinder turns to the others, "Lead me to that scream!" There's an itch inside her, burning at her nerves. She needs to help.
Oleg takes Cinder's hand into his and says "Come on, its coming from behind the Tavern somewhere" Oleg proceeds to lead Cinder as best he can between the two buildings and toward the noise, moving at a brisk jog. Hoping it might scare off any attackers Oleg bellows "Help's COMING!"
Scarlet simply begins to walk faster. Her gait slowly, but smoothly, accelerating from a walk to a trot and thence a jog. Her right hand always hovering over the weapon at her hip.
Bosh whistles to call his raven, "Go scout ahead" he comands it with his link and sends it flying towards the tavern.
He runs after Oleg and Cinder trying to keep up with his short legs,
"What a day!" he exclaims while holding his hat as he runs.
Bosh's raven circles the area, and flaps to hover in place just outside the building to the north, cawing at one of the windows on the east side of the building.
The four of you run forward, swarming around the building and throwing open doors to see what's going on inside. In what looks to be Khonnir's office (there's a large desk with a comfortable looking chair), you see an bipedal, metal humanoid shape. It appears to be somewhat shaky on its legs, and it is clawing at Khonnir's desk, as the source of the shrieks appears to be hiding beneath it.
Scarlet takes the scene in at a glance then simply kicks the door open, her arm and gun raising as if one and,
'SLAM'
'BANG'
"Thank'e Ma'am..." She mutters to herself, even as she begins to turn, hands automatically starting the motions to reload her weapon.
"Wow! What is that?!" Bosh shouts excitedly and then one of his ears goes silent leaving only a small ring after Scarlet shoot.
"Hit first and ask questions later?" He puts a finger on his ear.
Oleg rushes forward and attempts to kick the deadly machine-man's head off. "Get away from her!"
[Dice=Unarmed Attack]1d20+4
[Dice=Damage]1d6+3
Bosh moves in the room and position himself to aim at the machine, he pulls some color powder from his pouch, starts doing some gestures,
"litir með blinda þú" Bosh chants and the color powder becomes a small tornado flying towards the robot.