Runk moves along quietly with the rest of the party as they head back to the glassworks and into it's basement.
Once everyone is ready he draws a pair of daggers, their blades glinting slightly in the torchlight, and starts to make his way down the tunnel.
Into the Glassworks there are a couple guards posted outside the building. Heading back down into the tunnel it is dark and dank. It is old, apparently built decades ago. As you head down the tunnel it comes to an intersection. The tunnel continues to the north and there are two side tunnels that branch off to the east and west. The one to the west seems to have once been bricked over.
Blake withdraws a wooden key hung on a string from his pouch, a holy symbol of Abadar. With a short incantation and wave of his hand light springs forth centered on the object. Placing it about his neck he pulls out his scimitar and enters the tunnel after letting Runk take the lead.
Zizouket follows a little behind Runk, the insights he's gained watching the halfling the last few days helping him step lightly and keep to the shadows as he offers closer support than their allies who need the light.
Kesten looks at Blake using an incantation, and hurries to copy it in his own way.
When he's finished he realizes Runk might be better suited for it, so he casts it again and touches him on the shoulder.
"Here. It might be useful to have your hands free, seeing as you... well, have them full all the time."
He smiles sheepishly for a second, before getting a figurative and literal grip.
Walking another 10 feet behind Runk, he keeps an eye open for unexpected surprises.
Bending his head to clear the low ceiling, Ethan stow a his long bow and pulls out his club.
He follows the others into the tunnel.
Runk raises an eyebrow at Kestens statement but none the less offers a "Thanks" for the magical light.
When they reach the branches in the tunnel Runk takes a good look down each path. After a moment he turns West, checking where the brickwork was for any signs of traps before moving down the side tunnel.
Runk doesn't find any traps and continues down the western tunnel. It goes on for a ways but you eventually it slopes in a north easternly direction and with the level of light you have you see two branch offs to the east while the tunnel also continues north.
The halfling curses quietly when the party reaches another pair of side tunnels. "Rats nest" he spits in annoyance. Unwilling to leave a path behind them Runk turns back to the East hoping the side path with either run back into the prior tunnel or dead end shortly.
Coming down the first eastern side path he moves to go around the corner only to see a hideous hairless humanoid that lurches on back-bent, dog-like legs, its hideous mouth flanked by tiny arms with three-fingered hands leveling a ranseur at him.
Catching Runk off-guard the ranseur pierces into his armor and draws blood as the creature pulls the weapon out, readying for another attack.
"Gah!" the halfling calls out in surprise as the ill-shaped creature stabs him leaving a quickly spreading stain of red on his shirt.
Ethan rushes forward, the wooden disk bearing Erastil's symbol in his hand.
"Get behind me, Runk!" he says to the halfling.
"Begone, foul demon! Dead Eye has sighted you!"
Zizouket rushes to Runk's side and sends a fiery ray through the distance at the creature but misses badly.
Before Runk has a chance to move the creature strikes out at Runk once again.
The tip of the ranseur plunges into Runks flesh once again, only further soiling his clothes with bright red.
"Runk, watch out!" Kesten shouts too late as he is struck by the ranseur.
He decides to stand next to Runk, and fight back the creature with his own reach weapon. His aim is slightly off.
Blake darts towards the sound of his hurting friend, his blade flashing with arcane power. Seeing the creature he lobs a ball of acid at its head.
Boo rushes in hearing the commotion and attacks
Gorhan moves up not able to help much but draws his crossbow.
Bleeding significantly but not one to forgive an injury Runk takes advantage of Boos attack to circle around the creature.
Zizouket levels his spear and jabs at the creature, but misses again.
Ethan reaches out and touches his nearest companion.
"Erastil guide your actions," he prays.
--
Kesten steps forward, and uses the opening Runk created to unleash his electrical energies!
>
Blakes acid hits the creature and burns it a bit, but the damage is minimal. Boo runs at the creature to try and tear it apart, but it quickly jabs the ranseur at him.
He manages to slip past the attack and rip into the creature causing a serious wound. Kesten moves in to try and counter with his own weapon but with all the others in the way he doesn't manage to connect. Runk maneuvers around the creature as it is busy with Boo, jumps up and stabs it in the back of the head causing it to fall to the floor.
Runk glares down at the corpse and gives it a kick. His bravado is diminished a bit a moment later when his first step causes him to stumble a bit. He quickly recovers and sets about searching the corpse and room.
"Friends I fear we have stepped back into time, or some dark wizard has resorted some ancient art. I have only read about these creatures, Sinspawn, the embodiment of sin poured into the form of flesh....an abomination.
"`parently not greed" the halfling states with disappointment after finding nothing.
Ethan thinks back to his many conversations with the Old Man, trying to recall if any mention was made of sinspawn, or the types of dieties or cults that would be involved in their creation.
"Who would do such a thing? What diety would sanction such foul magic?"
"Filth, that's wha it is. A filthy soulless abomination. Runk thankfully took it down fast enough!"
Kesten allows the electricity to disappear from his hand, and nods a 'well done' at Runk.
As Blake gives more information, Kesten begins to ponder.
"What sin couldd it be? Could there be more? Best keep our eyes open if we continue.."
Zizouket tugs at Ethan's sleeve. "You got some healing for Runk? I doubt he'd say anything, but he took a solid jab by that thing."
"Of course," Ethan replies. He crosses to Runk, and places a hand on the halfling's head.
"Erastil, heal your wounds, and ease your pain, friend."
That's it. Out of spells and channels until we rest.
This should be interesting :D
"I do not know what sin this creature embodies, but I can tell you that their magical nature will make our magic less effective against them. Runk should be glad it did not bite him, legend says that the sin they are made from will be transferred to a victim of it's nasty jaws. Whatever lies ahead, we must be ready...standing here will not solve the questions. We should press on. "
Man, we should have rested :p
"I don't know about the rest of you, but be sure to inform us if your magical potential is about to be reached. I mean, you can feel that right? I know I can..." Kesten ends with a very peculiar look on his face, as if in proverbial pain.
You were talking about me, weren't you?
Yes, grandma!
I can't warn you?
Yes... Thank you grandma!
I can't save your life?
Yes... Thank you grandma!
I can't keep you safe?
Yes... Thank you grandma!
...
"Runk should be glad it did not bite him, legend says that the sin they are made from will be transferred to a victim of it's nasty jaws."
"Though if the sin was 'wrath' I'm not sure we'd have noticed that side effect if he'd bitten Runk." Zizou says with a amiable chuckle.
A determined look on his face Runk walks past the party and back into the tunnel. A quick snort escapes him when he hears Zizoukets comment but he says nothing before heading a few steps north beginning to investigate the side tunnel to the East.
Heading north a short distance and then into the next tunnel to the east, it continues a bit before coming to an actual paved room rather than carved out dirt and rock. The original purpose of this chamber is unclear, but large mounds of rubble lie strewn on its floor. You enter the room where the wall to the west has been torn down. There is a closed door on the northern wall.
Kesten follows the others, while examining Runk's wounds from a distance.
@Ziz's comment:
"Let us just hope it's not lust, or we might have some serious problems. Halflings in rage, I can handle. Halflings in heat, that's another thing!"
Kesten chuckles at his own remark, but appears unsure if it was funny or hurtful to anyone else.
Runk carefully makes his way down the tunnel, stopping just short of the room. Checking that his fellows aren't too far behind he scans the area ahead for signs of danger.
Before Runk goes too far ahead, Kesten will call upon his divine powers and summon some healing magic unto his friend.
"Be careful comrade." he whispers, with his voice displaying a strange accent, slightly noticeable.
--
"Someone might want to grab that ranseur. If these things do have a bite, having some reach would be a good thing."
When the group moves on, Zizouket follows behind Runk again. This time staying a bit closer, whether he likes it or not.