You escort Bungh and Utha up the ramp, and thru the dwarven mines. On the way, Ground makes an appearance, and Bungh is impressed when he discovers that you are friends with Ground.
"Bungh not know much about other people. Saitara is...." and he pauses as if trying to think of a word, and finally comes up with, "boss. Yea, she boss, but me not know why."
When you get outside, Bungh and Utha take off down the path, never to be seen again. You head back in thru the dwarven mines and back down to the fire area.
"Shall we backtrack and examine those corridors we passed," Therena suggests, "Before heading down?"
"Definitely," Misha says, back to her normal form and size. "Maybe we can find more out about this Saitara."
Telman also nods his agreement. "These caves are extensive, better to know there's no threats behind us even if it takes more time."
"Unless there's a sense of urgency to go deeper? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to take a LITTLE risk...." The man grins, a clear sign that for all the talk of tactics and safety he may well have a reckless streak also.
Kreig agrees. "Yup, protect your hoop, that's what I always say." He takes a knee and unfolds the map they have so far. "Let's have a looksee o'er yonder," He points to the right passage. "Figure we may button hook left, connect to the next one o'er."
He grabs his kit and pulls his bow. "Any o' ya a bit worried on this Saitara? Bunghi's saying she's the boss, but he don't know what fer. Thinking like a gods blasted hill giant, that means she don't look tough." The dwarf stands and taps his boot in an attempt to dislodge a rock. "If ya ask me, means she a tosser. Pro'lly for more skin in the game ta match."
To Misha: "Ya been in country a lot longer n' me, Legs. Ya heard tell the name? She a bogeyman ta scare the chitlins?"
(have I heard of Saitara?)
Misha shakes her head . "No, but the hag called out to her, too, remember? Almost as if she was praying. So who or whatever she is, she's powerful. I don't really know what you mean about 'skin in the game' but she must be the one drawing all these creatures here. Do you guys think Ground would know?"
After leaving Bungh and Utha to go their way, you head back thru the dwarven mines and down to the fire level. Knowing that you have explored the northern half of this area, and other than the way down to the next level in the northeast corner, you decide to continue exploring this level and hope to find out more about this Saitara.
Heading slightly south, in the first cave to the east of this main entrance cavern, you see the walls, floor and ceiling of this cave are covered with some kind of reddish black moss or fungus. A patch of three strange, man-sized fungi grows in the middle of the cave. Strange lumps can be seen everywhere below the fungal blanket.
Without entering or touching the fungus, Misha leans over to examine the reddish-black fungus to see if she recognizes it. Same for the very tall fungus.
Rikar stands by Misha, offering his thoughts on the strange fungal things she's pondering. "I saw something like this once in a cave on the Storval, though not quite so big. Wondered if it was a fungus shaped like a man or a fungus growing on a dead man. Wondered too if the fungus was what killed it, or if it just moved in after the fact."
The reddish black fungus is a type that is typical in hot, dry underground climates, like here.
The three man sized fungus are 'violet fungus' and you know the following about them:
Violet Fungi are large purple mushrooms with four slithering tendrils
Violet Fungi tentacles are coated with poison that causes a rapid rotting of the flesh
Violet Fungi are mobile, but only move to attack or hunt
Misha nods grimly as she realizes she recognizes the large mushrooms, and takes a step back, motioning for Rikar to do the same. "In this case, I'm pretty sure it's the former. If I'm right, the big ones are violet fungi. They will move if they decide to, and they like fresh kill they make rot rapidly with tendrils they can shoot out and hit you with. If I remember what Mordayn's Underground Ecologies say correctly, each has got four tendrils, so if that's three of them, we'd be facing twelve appendages..."
She looks back to the group. "What have we got to burn them out? I don't like the idea of leaving these behind."
Rikar follows Misha's lead, taking a couple of steps away from the fungoids. At her question, he looks to Kreig and says, "What about it, dwarf? We can usually rely on you to light something on fire, though I don't know that these big man-mushrooms are going to step into one of your traps. You might need to just toss some fire on 'em."
"If you've got a fireball spell that would at least get the work well started. And no offense to Krieg, probably more effective than an alchemical trap."
Unfamiliar with this type of creature, Telman gauges the distance between the group and the fungus. "They're plants, how fast do the really move? Start with a fireball and a few volleys of arrows, can they really get to us that quickly?"
"Got me a couple o' Alcemist Fires ifn it'll help." He squirms a bit at the thought of fungus. "I ain't scared r nuthin, but we need ta either leave it or burn it out at a distance. I ain't seen this here type, but I seen a green one latch onto a feller's face. Killed 'im in the worst way I seen."
Kreig keeps his distance and scans the area, even the ceilings, in case that gunk is anywhere else.
You all keep your distance from the small cavern, and the fungi that is in there and the three violet ones are not moving.
Really, oh well......
Continuing to move south, you come upon a small cave that is a dead end of volcanic rock, and offers many corners, crevices and hiding places if you decide to camp. Heading towards the east, you come across a rather large cavern with a very tall ceiling; stalactites and other rock formations abound; with multiple exits , some of which you have seen from your travels in the northern half of this cave complex.
Continuing to follow the right side of the large cave, you come upon a cave that looks as if someone has been trying to make it habitable; there is a curtain made of animal hide hanging from the entrance and some large stones obviously arranged as an imitation of furniture. There is a cauldron with some foul-smelling cookery inside it. A pile of bones and other remains rest in a corner. As you look into the cave, a tall red headed Morudhain woman steps out, wearing studded leather armor and with a very well made greatsword strapped on her back. She looks directly at RIkar and says "welcome to my home handsome. Are you exploring this area of the mountain also?"
"Well, lovely lady, thanks for the friendly welcome," Rikar says with a surprised grin. "We are in fact exploring the mountain, and have been through much of it. You look like you've been here a bit and made yourself right at home. Maybe we can share a bit about what we've learned, and you can do the same? "
"I'm Rikar," he continues, gesturing at his companions, "and these brave friends of mine have seen things both incredible and awful here below the mountain."
"I am Serella, and a survivor of my tribe. When they decided to go deeper into the mountain, I did not wish to follow and stayed behind. The other tribes in the plains would not forgive me for that, so I stay here."
She pauses for a moment, "and what have you learned about the mines above and this area? Have you been lower than here?"
What in tarnation is this chickadee doin' down here all on her lonesome? Kreig narrows his eyes a bit, not trusting the situation at all. Ain't survived as long as I have in Kaer Maga nor questionin' malarkey when I sees it.
"Ya know, Longshanks, Kreig days off-handedly, tucking a thumb in his belt while waving about with his right hand. "Digs like this, 'minds me o' that saucy dwarf lass we met a whole back. Ya know, the one ol' Brommen got the hots fer." Ol' Torag, tell me ya gotta hammer fer, Rikar.
(communicating innuendo w/team)
(sneaking a dagger into my hand)
Therena gives the woman a long considering look as she tells her story. For once, the flighty cleric appears grounded and focused.
Misha steps forward to give the woman a good look. She like the rest of the party is suspicious, but gives her a friendly nod and a doff of the hat before replying, "We've learned a lot of monsters have been vying for territory in the mines and surrounding passages. You must be quite the survivor--but I guess you would be. I realize your separation must be painful to you, and I'm sorry for your loss... but I admit I'm curious: what was your tribe called?"
Misha looks around at the group before speaking. Removing her hat, she waves behind her with it before flipping it with a flourish to return it to her head. " As you can see we've come from the direction of the mines," she says, trying to not avoid Serella's question entirely while still being somewhat evasive. She then explains, "A colleague of ours passed on some mysterious events going on here--before he himself met his demise. One such event was indeed the disappearance of the Dragon Stone Clan several years ago. He mentioned the Silver Mirror as well. But I thought you had said the plains tribes had kicked you out? What happened to your parents?" Misha asks, trying to put on a tone of concern rather than one of suspicion.
Rikar is even more impressed than usual by Misha's smooth delivery, and opts to pose as the strong, silent type, standing by and awaiting Serella's response to Misha's line of questioning.
Really? The RNG half hates me.
Assuming a slightly aggressive tone, "as to my question, what of you, why are you in the mountain? and have you been deeper than this level?" she says somewhat testily.
"We are investigating our colleague's report. I'm sorry if I was not clear on that," Misha clarifies politely. She then however, purses her lips in response to Serella's testiness, and replies in a tone of tested patience. "If we came from that direction," Misha points toward the lava area and mines, "how could we have come from further down?" she points in the opposite direction. She smiles. "Obviously you know there is a deeper level, so have you been there yourself? How did you get here if you didn't come from the mines?"
Kreig, keeping his drawn dagger hidden, strokes his beard. "Lookee here, missy, ya can lay down yer dander. We been up n' down this here stinkin' hole. Found a whole nest o' gobbers... hobbies... hags... giants... demons." He counts then off on the fingers of his left hand. Then he juts a chin in the woman's direction. "Get tha pi'ture, darlin'? Ain't got a lot o' samples o' good guys in that there gallery. So yer gonna need ta be more forthcomin'. We seen a few things down here that t'wernt what they appeared ta be, n' we gots real good at killin' 'em too. Perty warrior such as yer self could be a gods blamed devilspawn fer all we know." Kreig nods to the others. "Outside o' me n' mine, trust's in short supply. So give o'er the info, then we'll see to yer questions."
Telman continues to be impressed with how well this group works together, playing off each other even in diplomatic situations like these. The archer keeps silent so as not to interfere. He lowers his bow to avoid spooking the woman but keeps his arrow nocked.
Just in case.
"Please, I do hope you can see our point of view. This isn't exactly a choice residence for a nice person. There used to be a hag living fifty feet that way, and forty feet that way was a hill giant. It's not like the three of you could spend your days down here without bumping into each other once in awhile. Absalom, this isn't, after all."
Speaking to the group as a whole, "Of course I know their is a deeper level. It is said that my tribe went into the depths of the mountain to find the Dragon God so there must be a much deeper area of the mountain. Ah so you killed the hag, and the giant. As you have answered my question, I will tell you there is also a two headed giant and a cat woman east of here, near the tunnel that exits the mountain."
Turning to Rikar specifically "would you like to join me. We can explore this area together?"
Misha senses no motives whatsoever, but she is curious at her pressing at Rikar. Noticing he had been playing the strong silent type, she hope he doesn't mind her speaking up for him.
"I'm afraid our colleague is under contract, like the rest of us, with the Pathfinder Society, and we rather need him. You are welcome to come with us as a group." She does look at him however, in case he has anything he wants to add.
Rikar grins broadly, not having expected such an invitation in the depths of the mountain. He shrugs his broad shoulders and says, with the faintest touch of regret, "As my friend here says, I do have an arrangement already that keeps me from taking you up on your invitation. Not to mention, I rather like these folks. But Misha's right, you could join us, we'll see what the mountain holds together."
Laying a hand on Latys' head and scratching her roughly between her pointed ears, he says, "Hear that girl? A cat woman! All manner of crazy stuff in this place..."
Seemingly ignoring Josef comment, "No, large groups are not for me. If you get tired and wish to come back and visit, I will be here resting up for a day or two then will either head deeper into the mountain or back out the tunnel I came in over in the eastern section." she says with sad eyes and a sigh to Rikar.
"Well then, stay safe, Serella. I hope we meet again in equally peaceful circumstances."
When Misha is doubly certain they are out of Serella's earshot, Misha even still cautiously casts message, which she uses to comment to the group, "Well, she was a strange one, wasn't she? Part of me wants to think she was really a girl just looking for her tribe, but she seemed more interested in Rikar than finding her lost people. Of course, Rikar, you are a handsome man," she adds matter-of-factly, "but... well, it was all just odd wasn't it?"
"Very well," Rikar says, giving Serella a gracious nod, "I hope we cross paths again, lass."
He joins the others in moving on, then replies to Misha. "It's understandable that she'd be so interested in me, Mishinika," he says with a wink, "but I agree, the rest of it was a bit odd."
Leaving Serella the group goes back thru the large open area and out eastern passage, where you see another dead end that looks like a good camping area. Heading down the southern exit you end up at an intersection, with several choices.
Kreig doesn't sheathe his hidden dagger until the party is well out range of the woman's cavern dwelling. He snorts at Rikar's jest and spits a Dwarven invective. "Lookee here, chummeroo. What sorta gal decides ta make 'er home in the middle o' hag city? Huh?" He shrugs his shoulders, that feeling of being watched crawling along his back. "Like as not she'd turn up a filthy hag like the one what got Brommen. I'm thinkin' we jus' dodged a crossbow bolt. Any way, let's hope her info ain't a buncha fibber Mcgee"
He nods eastward, pulling his bow and knocking an arrow. "C'mon, Longshanks. Let's clear this here level 'fore ya wanna go pick some daisies fer lil' miss back yonder."
"Also, if there is a tunnel to the surface from this level, without going through the mines, why didn't the giant opt for it, instead of the (as he thought it) more dangerous trip through Ground's territory? I also say we scout this supposed passage."
Rikar chuckles at Kreig's question, replying, "Well, who'd want a girl with no taste for adventure, dwarf? Not you, I'd expect. Still, you make a good point, any lass who moves in next door to an evil hag and doesn't think twice about it might be one to leave alone."
Following his friend's nod, Rikar says, "I was thinking the same, let's see what lies to the east." He gives a quick tip of his head to Latys, telling her to follow along, then moves down the stone hallway.
Misha nods. "Let's go."
Heading out the east tunnel, you go about sixty feet and other then tunnels further south, and tunnels to the north that you have seen from before you finally come to a tunnel that leads to a bare volcanic rock cave, with some rubble strewn about the floor and piles of refuse in several places. Some of these look like animal remain. As you peek into the tunnel, you see a lovely female centaur all the way to the north of this cave. She is just standing next to the wall and looks like she is shaking.
"Don't beat me anymore" she sobs as she hears the group at the cave entrance.
Telman looks at the centaur with compassion, the thought of some creature holding the poor woman as a prisoner and cowing her this badly grating against his nature. Thinking that whoever....whatever.... did this to her might come back the archer takes up a position that affords him the best view of the adjacent corridors to keep watch.
He mumble to Misha as he moves past her. "I'm thinking a woman's touch might be best?"