Kufieno startles and jumps backward as the room is filled with flame. Astonished by the newcomers, he says. "Eh...where did you come from? How do you know about us.....heroes?"
"I think we were going with Saviors of Sandpoint. My name is Sealman Alerteyes. We can be friends if you don't 'cleanse me with holy fire'."
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Karn throws his head back laughing. "Very well young man, saviors it is!" Winking, he says. "Fear not, I will not try to cleanse you though your companions may wish it!" He says wrinkling his nose, than bursts out laughing again.
Once he gets his mirth under control, he glances at his party. "It wasn't too long ago, my companions were wishing I was cleansed by holy fire...."
Scratching his head, Lucian wonders for a moment which kind of magic would be powerful enough to bring a whole entourage of adventurers so deep within the earth.
"Well met and all, I am Lucian Arvandru, and yes, we're the Saviors of Sandpoint I guess. I would know one thing or two about holy fire, though I assure you cleansing is not the word I'd use." he jests, showing his severely-burnt hands.
"If you don't mind my asking, who are you and what are you doing here? I thought we were the only living souls in this Desna-forsaken place."
"A fireball... *chh* I see."
"You are Kellid both; scions of the Mammoth Lord, but very far West. Greetings, I am *chhhh* Hidetsugu Rissi, wizard."
"Hi! I'm Bert! And thanks for watching out for Sandpoint--my family lives here." The halfling, as noted, carries a pistol, and has a rapier about as tall as he is slung over his back.
"We're actually just passing through on our way to Windsong Abbey, and Venture-Captain Heidmarch wanted us to talk to someone named Pilla, who was staying at the Rusty Dragon. Heard about you, thought we'd drop in and say hello."
"The help was most welcome, thanks! Oh, if you stop by the Rusty Dragon, make sure and tell Ameiko I'm... I mean, we're alright. Could you do that for me please? I'd greatly appreciate it, and it's far from obvious with whatever horrors we have encountered in this place."
Brelar smiles as introductions are made. "Brelar Darheek, Pathfinder, son of Numeria, wizard and maker of chipmunks," he chuckles and gives a meaningful look at his dwarven friend.
"Hidetsugu, I am always pleased to meet another wizard. I must confess though, I don't believe I've encounter a member of your race before. What are your arcane areas of interest? Mine tend toward fire." Brelar chuckles.
"Son of nimrods and breaker of chipmunks. I don't know if I would be too proud about that.
"So what you are all really saying is that Sandpoint is expecting a giant invasion and you need our help? You came to the right place. Don't worry lowly adventurers, we will aid you in your quest."
Seal gives a genuine smile full of teeth and mirth. He even places one fist on his waist to add emphasis.
"Yup! We're Pathfinders, out of the Magnimar lodge. Just got back from a little dustup in Kaer Maga."
The irrepressible halfling smiles back at Sealman. "There was a giant at Windsong Abbey, we hear, so they might be coming here too. I'm glad I can count on strong and capable folks like you to protect Sandpoint. And if you find any interesting bits of history or lore, could you write them down and send them to me care of Venture-Captain Heidmarch, in Magnimar? Or tell Brodert Quink...he might even remember me."
The dwarf, who doesn't seem to be too quick with the mental capabilities, finally decides to actually say something. Brelar, my liege! Why didn't you save one of them undead critters fer me? And, umm, where the hell are we now? All this jumpin' around makes me dizzy. Upon seeing the "saviors" the dwarf fighter draws his greatsword. What's about them? Are they gonna attack us next? Karn! Bert! When you get here? Were we all teledoored here along with this lot?
Hidetsugu, I am always pleased to meet another wizard. I must confess though, I don't believe I've encounter a member of your race before. What are your arcane areas of interest? Mine tend toward fire." Brelar chuckles.
Rissi shrinks even further back into her dark cowl. "Another of my race? Whatever do you *chhhh* mean? You have never seen a, ummmm, *chhh* halfling before?" she chitters nervously.
"As to my specialty, I do not espouse specialization. All magic holds equal merits in my mind. At the moment, I *squeak* do wish my spells were slightly better arrayed to deal with the restless dead. But we do what we can."
THAT'S a halfling? Argust blurts out. Bert, is he some sorta cousin or somethin'?
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Karn kicks Argust, not so subtly, in the shin, then steps in front of the dwarf. Leaning forward, he cups a hand on the side of his mouth and says in a stage whisper. "Actually, we're from the future! I happen to know that the lady over there," nodding to Miana, "...is going to marry the short fella over there." He finishes, nodding to Seal, then begins chuckling to himself.
"Yep! She's our halfling! I don't know what you got there. I was always told halflings are furry folk, especially their feet."
Seal then clasps his shoulder around Rissi and gives her noogies.
As Karn proselytizes the future, Seal's eyes grow wide.
"Really? But she doesn't even have any chin hairs!"
Bert cocks an eyebrow at the other party's wizard. He replies,
Then he continues in Common, "I wouldn't worry about it, Argust. Sounds like she's just got a cold. Dungeons are damp places, right? Being a dwarf, you don't have to worry about such things, but us halflings aren't as hale as you."
Brelar blushes briefly, "Apologies all around fair wizard, I have never had the pleasure of meeting a female halfling. Though it may be less than an ideal location to do so, I'd be happy to share some of the spells in my book if you feel there are any that would be of aid to your efforts." Brelar offer by way of apology to Hidetsugu.
Comforting Argust, Brelar says "No no. I believe we shall all be friends here. These fine folk have the best in their hearts for the people of Sandpoint. Perhaps you can tell Sealman here about the chimpmunk Dark Rider, ruler of the Dark Forest?"
Answering Bert's cue about findings, Lucian declares: "Oh, sure I'll talk with Master Quink, I've studied with him for many years now! You see, we were exploring a Thassilonian dungeon not too long ago - exciting story, really, there was even a magical image of one of the actual Runelords, still speaking their language! Most useful to train my Thassilonian pronunciation. Well, Thistletop was much more than just that, really. Do you think that your Venture-Captain would be interested by my notes on the subject?"
Bert's eyes light up. "A Thassilonian dungeon? Oh, yes! That would be wonderful! She would, and I definitely would. Do you know, not long ago we got to talk to a simulacrum of a bone sage, who had actually studied with Runelord Karzoug. It was amazing! Well, right up until he tried to kill us, anyway."
Brelar pipes in, "What about that crazy demon who thought she was the Runelord Sorshen? Crazy."
"Thank you, Sealman, for your acceptance of me." the small wizard notes, somewhat uncertainly.
Rissi returns to her discussion with a fellow arcanist.
"We cannot claim to have encountered such *squeak* interesting individuals in our travels. We have dispatched worshipers of the Demon Mother, and now seek to quell a murderous follower of Blackfingers. As you can see, nobody of real importance." Rissi breathes in deeply.
"It would be an honor to exchange magical formulae with you Master Darheek. I do not know if you have any interest in the dark arts. Mine is mostly theoretical, but as a mental exercise this place is quite fascinating. It is littered with any number of necromantic runes that seem to indicate magical effects similar to trap the soul. Disturbing, yes, yet fascinating."
"I may *chhhh* find you perhaps in Magnimar? In the Pathfinder lodge, Master Darheek? Once my family gets back on their pa... feet, we shall be heading there. Sadly it will mean departing from adventures with my associates here, but of course the *squeak* needs of my family are most important."
"Oh, Oh , OH" Seal says as he hot steps up and down as if he's trying to control a bladder movement.
"Dark Rider, Dark Forest. Dark Rider, Dark Forest."
He then sits down and looks up at the new adventurers with glee. Seal's eyes are wide and ready as if he was waiting for a Starday morning kiddy play to begin.
Argust look up at Brelar as if he were crazy. Dark Rider? Not much to tell. We found him. He's dead.
The look of joy drains out of Seal as if somebody peed on his bed. He then sits up and gathers up his belongings.
"So are we all going to the Abbey?"
"As Sealman kindly suggests, we'd be delighted to give you a hand at the Abbey once we're done dealing with evil masterminds and undead stalkers here."
"That'd be great! If we finish at the Abbey before you can break away, though, we'll send you a message--wouldn't want you to leave Sandpoint unguarded for nothing, right?"
Seal cocks his head to the side and narrows one eye. He appears to be deep into a thought. So deep one might believe steam would come out of his ears with a steam whistle going off in the background. The giantslayer then slowly forms the next few words.
"What do you mean. Finish. At. Abbey?"
"Heidmarch Manor indeed Hidetsugu. Once this business at the Abby is complete, please feel free to call upon me there." Brelar smiles warmly. Turning to his companions, "Onward to victory?"
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Karn shakes his head at Brelar. "Freind Brelar, the young man was waiting on a story. Before we go, I'll try to summarize, though Bert or Brelar could tell it better." Rubbing his hands together, he begins the story.
"We were deep underneath Kaer Maga, searching for a powerful relic. The relic lay in the center of a dark kingdom ruled by a dark lord. Having fought our way past many twisted and abominable foes, we at last reached a dark tower." Karn steps closer, warming up to his tale. "As we fought the tower's guards, out rode the awful lord of the place. The leader was an evil, dark creature riding atop an awful dark horse. The horse breathed fire from it nose, and everywhere its hooves struck, sparks flew! Our souls nearly shrank back from beholding the two!
As we steeled ourselves for what could easily be our deaths, we engaged him! We traded a few attacks, feeling out each sides strengths and weakness, then all of a sudden, Brelar conjured a pit! The dark horse tumbled into the pit, but its rider was able to leap free!" Karn shakes his head solemnly. "Even without his mount, the foul lord was still a terrible foe, and I still feared and doubted our success. Brelar watched the lord closely, and when his guard was down, Brelar cast another spell!" Karn raises his hands wide, then claps them together loudly. "POP! Where the dark lord once stood, was a tiny, black chipmunk!" Turning to grin at Brelar, he says. "In the span of several breaths, the dark lord of a dark realm was reduced to a roden.....a tiny creature!" He says, glancing at Rissi. "I think the creature died from shame!!" Karn finishes, throwing his head back and laughing.
Finished with the story, he turns to the group. "Alas, I think my companions are correct, we need to be on our way, and you on yours. Good luck to you and may your gods protect you, Saviors of Sandpoint!"
"What an amazing tale! Did you learn who that dark rider was?" Lucian listens to their tale avidly, tasting every word like a delicious dish. When the moment to leave comes, he nods to the other group of heroes. "I hope our paths cross again. Maybe next time we'll have tales to share as well. May Desna guide your path!"
Yeah. He's dead. All we need ta know about 'im! Argust then smiles and laughs as if he had just told the best joke ever told. So, are we leavin' now, Brelar?
"What an amazing tale! Did you learn who that dark rider was?"
So I guess he was transformed into a decapitated chipmunk?[/ooc]
Seal calms down after hearing the delightful story. He still hopes the other party doesn't kill the giants before he is able too. After all, one of them may have a clue as to where Catorce is.
Once the party is ready, Seal will lead the group through the next tunn
Inspired by the stories of the intrepid Pathfinders, Seal leads the party further into the caverns!
The cramped tunnel opens into a vertiginous gulf here, a cathedral-like cavern with a roof arching thirty feet overhead and dropping into a sloshing pool of foamy seawater fifty feet below. A steep stone ledge winds down to these surging depths, its slope glistening with moisture and mold. A stone door stands in the northwestern wall about halfway down the slope.
Although you may have thought you have seen the last of Lost Coast's goblins by this point, you in fact find a pack of four goblins, their flesh horrid and decayed into a vile display of undeath!
Rissi casts haste upon her allies and then retreats back from the stench.
Rissi hastes the party as the goblin ghasts approach!
Rissi shoots positive energy at the goblin no engaged in personal combat.
touch
Seal steps in line next to Miana, not allowing her to get all the fun.
+2 vs Poison
With his new found vigor, Seal begins to rage as he swings wildly at the goblins.
Kufieno draws his shortsword and stabs at the ghastly goblin to his east.