"Johenric, your Celestial is so good! Thank you for your thoughtful suggestion. It has been so long since I have used that dark language that I think I was unconsciously trying to block it out of my mind. However, perhaps you are right. Let me try and speak to him with my own father's language.
Solaric speaks again to the Dark Creeper, this time in undercommon, the language of the darklands.
Harl steps into the room rather depressed his friends blew through the attackers with such ease. "Guess my armor is all the more effective when the foes fall before I'm even here, bah."
As you code switch to undercommon the creper's eyes narrow, with perfect command of the language he responds
I'm Kreek of clan Freish. My brothers and I had been hired by a group of humans to protect them in the deep regions of Carrion Hill. We fled here when...it appeared and barricaded the outer door.
Johenric nods and says with a smile on his face.
Quod erat demonstrandum
Harl steps into the room rather depressed his friends blew through the attackers with such ease. "Guess my armor is all the more effective when the foes fall before I'm even here, bah."
"Don't worry, we'll send you in first next time, " Pitr winks.
"Hey, it looks like creepy elf and creepy midget speak the same language. What's it saying?"
The creeper scrambles to his feet and replies
The second door became barricaded when the ceiling collapsed, we couldn't leave this room after that. The humans all survived and fled up into the city, the monster was hunting them.[/b]
Solaric stops briefly in his conversation to translate what has been discussed.
"My friends, this here is Kreek of the Freish clan. He was hired by a group of humans to protect Carrion Hill. They fled in here when the ceiling collapsed and they became barricaded inside the room. He says the humans survived and fled up to the city, but that the monster was still hunting them."
Solaric then turns back and asks the Dark Creeper another question.
The dark creeper resolutely shakes his head
Turning to his companions, he quickly translates, "He just told me that they drew strange circles and signs on the ground and then they cut themselves and sung some strange song and said weird words! Then suddenly the creature materialized. Whoever these humans were, I think they brought this creature upon everyone."
Turning back to the Dark Creeper, Solaric continues with his questioning.
The dark creeper nods and points in the direction where the stairs must lead further down.
Yes, yes, they came to the Darklands and hired us as their guides and protectors. They said they were living in Carrion Hill.
"Damned idiots, they got innocent people killed, and have been terrorizing the entire town. I wonder if their precious monster killed them already, or if that'll come down to us?"
Johenric harrumphs and says towards Solaric.
This might not be a good time to raise this question, but I have to consider the possibility that this creature is lying. Assuming someone wants to safe his life, this would be a good line....
"Possibly Kreek is more involved than he's admitting. Hey Solaric, ask him who the humans are."
"This might not be a good time to raise this question, but I have to consider the possibility that this creature is lying. Assuming someone wants to safe his life, this would be a good line...."
"I know I am hoping for answers, but I am not sure that lying about the humans or the monsters would serve any purpose. However, I will remain skeptical until we can back up what he says with further evidence."
"Now, he just mentioned that the humans came to the Darklands to hire them as guides and protectors and told them that they were from Carrion Hill. I am sure that we could easily corroborate that story with some witnesses."
Turning back to Kreek, Solaric asks the following.
Kreek thinks for a moment then answers slowly
They were five! And they had strange book with them, I think they called it the Pnakotic Manuscripts! They didn't give names, they just called themselves the Keeper of the Old Ones.
"Kreek says there were five humans and that they had strange book with them called the Pnakotic Manuscripts! Johenric, have you heard of such a book? Kreek doesn't know their names, but he says that they called themselves the Keeper of the Old Ones."
Solaric continues to question the Dark Creeper.
The creeper seems not really to understand the question
The concept of days is unknown in the Darklands. Creepers for example count in mushroom cycles, so an answer on how long ago might be answered in a way that does not help you.
What you mean? Ah I know, three cycles ago.
"Keepers of the Old Ones? What like a retirement home? Anything like that around Carrion Hill?"
Knowledge, Dungeoneering
"I am not clear with the translation, but I think he has been working for these humans for three months. Do you have any further questions that you want me to ask him?
"A summoning? Well this isn't the work of demons nor devils"
"The old ones, eh. That doesn't sound good to my ears, Vic. Pitr, ma guess is that they are speakin' of things that dwell deep beneath the earth. Things that my people have held back in other parts of this world for eons. Ifin' they are tryin' ta bring the deep terrors to the surface we are gonna have our hands full."
With the news of summonings and term 'old ones', Victoria slides back her sleeve and appears to be in some kind of silent communication with her Death Adder, Naga.
Know: Planes
Naga hisses fearfully as he explains the following
Sse manusscript iss about ssummoning something from sse Dark Tapestry, a realm between sse sstarss...a very very dreadful plane where cosmic horrorss and ancient godss dwell. From what I've heard and sse rune outsside, I think ssey ssummoned a Yog-Sothoth a dark god of planess, time, gatess, portalss and sspace.
Johenric tries to remember if he has heard anything about the Pnakotic Manuscripts...
Knowledge Arcana
Knowledge History
Knowledge Religion
"The manuscript is about summoning something from the Dark Tapestry, a realm between the stars...a very very dreadful plane where cosmic horrors and ancient gods dwell. I think they ssummoned a Yog-Sothoth, a dark god of planes, time, gates, portals and space. So not a demon or devil, not even an elemental... but something else again. Something even more evil."
"What is it with humans and not bein' able ta leave well enough alone." the dwarf says shaking his head in resigned disbelief.
Johenric is not able to add anything to Victoria's explanations.
"Demons, Devils, Cosmic Horrors...it's all the same to me. Don't these outerplane things usually have a weakness like garlic, silver, or soap or something? It sounded like the summoning was downstairs. Maybe we should check it out. and what are we going to do with dark and creepy here?"
"I think they summoned a Yog-Sothoth, a dark god of planes, time, gates, portals and space. So not a demon or devil, not even an elemental... but something else again. Something even more evil."
"Holy Iomedae, the evil that exists in this place is unbelievable! I suppose our next step is to try and find these humans and stop them from doing any more harm. Do you think there is a way to undo or send this fiend back?"
"It sounded like the summoning was downstairs. Maybe we should check it out. and what are we going to do with dark and creepy here?"
"Good idea, Pitr. Let me see if he can lead us there."
The creeper's eyes widen in terror and he replies
No, never do I get down there again. But I can describe you the way! Follow the stairs, it's a long way down, nearly 1000 feet. Down there is an old temple, there you will find the spot where they summoned the gruesome monster!
"Kreek has just given me directions to get to the site where the creature was summoned. He will not return there with us, but he has given me clear directions on how to get there. I think this Dark Creeper, Kreek, has served his purpose well and deserves our mercy. With no objections, I wish to grant him his liberty and allow him to return to the darklands and find his own people again."
Unless Solaric hears any strong objections, he will speak the following words to remaining Dark Creeper .
"Let us continue down these stairs. After about a thousand feet we will get to an old temple. It is there that we will find the spot where they summoned the Yog-Sothoth."
With everyone's agreement, Solaric leads the way down the stairs.
With disbelieving eyes the creeper nods and stammers
You drow lord good, thank creeper tell them will you good man, no fight!
While the creeper vanishes in the darkness you begin your descent down the stairs - the stairs taht are full of dry black smear, the same slime you encountered above. The creeper hadn't lied and you must surely be at least 200 hundred feet belows Carrion Hill when you reach an ancient temple. Stone pillars support a stone ceiling here and thick sheets of pale fungus and mold cake most surfaces. To the south, the hall has collapsed in rubble , but to the north it opens into a vast cave, at least that is what you guess with your limited vision.
With his sword still drawn, Solaric looks around the room trying to find the actual site where the creature was summoned.
Perception
The black smear marks come from the north, maybe you have to venture deeper into the cave to find the actual summoning site.
Before proceeding north, Solaric will investigate the rubble along the eastern and southern walls and then look to see if either of these collapsed walls opens up into other chambers.
"Wait, I have some gifts that were sent by my father to aid my comrades in our path to glory. I was hoping to share them at a celebration, perhaps some noble event... but what is more noble than our current course in service to our liege?"
Victoria pulls forth a pair of boots, a scarf, a sword, and a ring...
The rapier is a: Huntsman Rapier of HumanbaneBoots are: Sprinting acrobat's Boots
granting the wearer a bonus of +3 (competence) to all acrobatic checks, a +1 Enhancement bonus to dexterity and 5ft additional movement.Ring is: Ring of Feather Falling
Eye patch is: Eye Patch of X-Ray Vision
Functions like the ring of the same name.
"These are for the group, should you wish to borrow them they are to be returned afterwards... they may help us now, however."
The southern part of the temple must have led further a long time ago, but now it's closed under large piles of rubble. You are now sure that the whole complex only extends to the north.
You Grace, You are most kind to offers these gifts. I will use them in my need. If you are so willing, I would be honored to wear those boots. Every bit of mobility would help me greatly!"
After donning the boots, Solaric will lead the group northward into the great chamber.
"Wait, let me see that!" Pitr says as he grabs the eyepatch and looks at it suspiciously. Putting it on he looks over Countess and says, "Well Countess, I had no idea."
Somewhere upstairs, you hear a cascade of shrieking laughter, then suddenly there is a flash of light and everything is quiet again...
Dear Countess, I take the ring of feather falling. Many thanks. Should you or your family require this item, please do not hesitate and I will hand it over to you.
While he hears the strange sounds, Johenric moves his head and wait for the others to move on.
"Wait, let me see that!" Pitr says as he grabs the eyepatch and looks at it suspiciously. Putting it on he looks over Countess and says, "Well Countess, I had no idea."
At the shriek of laughter, Harl places himself between it and the group. Axe readied and shield in place, the Anvil of Torag stands ready for a potential assualt.
Pitr looks up. "Do you think that was our shady little friend getting off'ed? Maybe we better check it out."
"I wouldn't mind giving that skewer a try," Kirk nods to the rapier. "Daggers work well, but sometimes a needle point is more effective." He straps the sword to his belt, drawing it and admiring the fine steel.
"That is what not having the good sense to scoot get's ya, Pitr. But, if the something is up there puttin' the hurt on it I'm all for returnin' the favor."