"你的神听到你的祷告。看哪。" Teldon calls out drawing the recently recovered holy symbol out of one of his large pockets and holding it aloft for those in the cave to see. "他已经派我们去为你的家人提供食物或饥饿;你选择哪个？"
Teldon's gambit causes a flurry of chatter and shouting within the cave - after a moment of apparent debate, the first of the voices calls out again, "你是由發送嗎？我們的禱告已經聽到了？這是一個最光榮的日子......請把你的武器留在外面，進來...我們必須去烏吉洛，我們必須告訴他的好消息。"
"不，我们把我们的武器。如果敌人来了，我们的武器会提供你的家人的防御。如果你的上帝的甜菜被激怒我们的武器会满足它。" Teldon replies.
Turning to his companions his says more quietly, "They're still a bit skittish... try not to do anything that might upset them. And do not appear deferential or apologetic about anything you do." Then he begins walking into the cave. "Zee, some light if you would please."
"Of course." Zee casts a spell and four ghostly Harrow cards rise from her deck, each glowing with a pale blue light.
Looking at Teldon, she asks, "I'm almost afraid to ask this, but what did you tell them?"
I've gotta get Teldon to teach me the languages he knows. This is more than a bit frustrating.
Joanna turns to Teldon and asks, "are we to enter? I trust you know what you're doing, but I want to know before we head in there, are they going to attack us if we enter?"
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"When I conveyed Jo's offer of healing they told me that they were praying and that their god would provide for their needs," Teldon explains, "so I pointed out that our arrival was an answer to that prayer."
Moving into the cave entrance he replies, with surprising candor, to Jo, "There were some concerns about us carrying weapons into the cave but I think we'll be alright going on."
Your intellectual prowess never cease to amaze me, Teldon. I feel always dumb around you. Let's try to resolve this situation peacefully.
Despite the request from the unseen denizens of the cave that weapons be left outside, Teldon leads the group into the noxious cave with his weapon – whilst not brandished – visible. The three troglodytes skulking in the darkness make discouraging noises as the group draw closer – but seeing that they are outnumbered and that the ‘surface dwellers’ do not appear overtly hostile with their weapons, they don’t repeat the request about unarmed entry. As the friend’s eyes adjust to the darkness, they are able to see what a pitiful state these creatures are in… emaciated and covered with open sores, the troglodytes move arthritically across the uneven floor of the cave. Gesturing for the group to follow them into the tunnels to the north, they slowly merge into the darkness…
…and the smell, the further the friends move away from the fresh air at the cave entrance becomes increasingly overpowering.
As she approaches the cave, Zee looks at her frinds with an "I'm not so sure about this..." expression. She wrinkles her nose at the smell. From her satchel, she takes out a small vial of perfume, drips a couple of drops onto the end of one of her scarves, and then holds it over her nose and mouth before proceeding.
"I never thought I'd want to wear one of the Queen's Physicians' horrid bird-masks..."
Joanna mirrors Zee's expression, but follows her and Teldon in anyway. Halli, for her part, manages not to whine as she follows Joanna.
- the Troglodytes all appear to be suffering from Filth Fever... and the infection seems worst where they have been injured (presumably during combat)...
To the north, where the troglodytes are headed, the tunnel splits into multiple directions... to the west, there is the smell - and the amber glow - of a burning fire whilst to the east, the tunnel heads into pitch darkness... but it is further north that the troglodytes, gesturing and grunting rather than speaking, are headed...
[ooc]Briana - it doesn't seem likely that the troglodytes are trying to deceive the group...
Thats good news... Provided we'll be actually able to help them.
"The best cure for filth fever," Teldon offers, "is a diet rich in fresh produce and purified water... that's basically the opposite of how troglodytes eat; even if we had the provisions for that I'm not sure they'd be willing to try it."
"Cleaning and binding their wounds would help, and that works on humans, elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes, but I'm not sure that'd work with the xulgath," Joanna says, emphasizing the name for Teldon.
The friends, stepping into an antechamber from the first cavern are quickly shepherded by the troglodytes along the edge of the tunnels… and, in the light of Ziomarra’s arcane illuminations, it becomes immediately obvious that there is a large covered pit within the centre of this second cavern – what with the oil-soaked barrier at the entrance to the cave system and this large pit, it is obvious that the troglodytes have planned for having to defend their home. Following the ‘xulgath’ farther and farther from the cave entrance, Teldon leads the group towards an increasingly unbearable stench - the overwhelming reptilian stink mixes with an even worse putrescence of rotting flesh in the cave that they are being led to. And, in the light it is possible to see the remains of a foul ritual here — heaps of decaying limbs, bones, and viscera. Behind this vile sight, a symbol depicting a spiraling clawed tentacle has been crudely carved into the rock...
A larger troglodyte stands here, deep in conversation with the remnants of the ritual… with light suddenly glistening on the wet rocks, it turns around and glares at the intruders to its cave. And, in stilted Taldane, ”You dare to enter the realm of the Children!!! What vile trickery convinced my family to let you enter here???”
"No trickery. We told your people we wish to help, and we do. I am Ziomarra."
"And I am Joanna, Servant of Iomedae. As Ziomarra says, we wish to help. A few of our number are skilled in the healing arts and we treat your sick and wounded," the young paladin says calmly, "and you have my word that none of us wish to harm you."
Shadlah says nothing, instead looking around the cavern warily for any signs of hostility from the other xulgath.
For the briefest of moments, it seems that this apparent leader of the troglodytes is prepared to listen to the friends’ offer of help… but then, yanking a brutal looking mace from his belt, he screams at Ziomarra... crazy-eyed and spittle flecked lips, ”If you had been sent by Zevgavizeb, I would have known it… I would have heard it in my dreams… you and the rest of your mewling sun-dweller friends are nothing more than a simple Boggard trick. You may have fooled my sons and daughters… but you have not fooled me!!!”
"等待!" Teldon calls out when he suddenly snaps back from some deeply engrossing thought and realizes things are not going well, "我们是你的祈祷的答案，送来帮助你!"
drat... the best laid plans...
Giving up on diplomacy, he chugs an extract which causes his muscles to bulge then moves in front of the women with his spear at the ready as he studies the mace-wielding leader.
*URK*
Joanna and Halli are surprised as violence suddenly erupts in the chamber.
We really should have seen this coming.
I can't.. the smell.. it's horrible... I can't ruin these clothes!
Arsith tries not to puke, or at least not to puke on herself
Gagging a bit, Zee manages to hold down her last meal, but still fights the urge to vomit.
The troglodyte, slathering and rapid, charges Teldon...
Cowering and confused, the troglodytes that had guided the friends into the caverns make no attempt to join the battle.
,
Teldon grits his teeth and scowls harshly as his plan to lure in the troglodyte proves no more effective than his attempt at diplomacy. Stepping back, in the hopes that Jo or Arsith will step in front of him, he summons a spark of arcane energy into his spear and stabs at the leader once more.
Joanna's eyes blaze with silver light as her hair, sword, and holy symbol glow brilliant white.
"We come offering only to help and this is how you repay us? Yield and I will spare your life. Continue and I shall send you to meet your judgement."
Seeing the mad chieftain attack Teldon, she draws her sword and fixes Uggilo with a baleful glare.
"So be it. Iomedae has judged you and your leadership and found it wanting."
Like a bolt of lightning, she charges ahead and brings her sword around in a vicious swing.
With a snarling howl, Halli comes at the Xulgath chief from the side. She didn't know why he had attacked, only that he had, and that the musk a couple of the humans were gagging on wasn't the only foul smell coming from this one.
Gah! That tastes worse than that strange woman's cooking smelled!
Zee fixes the trog leader with a withering gaze and makes the Varisian sign of the evil eye.
Arsith moves toward the fight, but the troglodit's leader is too far for her to have the time to strike too
The troglodyte chief, already worse for wear with the sickness, narrowly avoids impaling itself on Teldon's spear as it charges... but, as Teldon repositions, it can't fend off the thrusting spike. With a wet noise, the spear punctures moist flesh and - with little muscle to the emaciated beast - explodes out of the troglodyte's back. It struggles to pull itself free... but in that moment, Joanna and Halli fall upon it. Cursing them for Boggards, one and all, the troglodyte dies...
...and the two troglodytes who had guided the friends into the caves, scared about what may come next, slink off into the darkness.
As the priest dies, the fire fades from Joanna's grey eyes and her hair is once again the dark brown it normally is. With a sigh she turns to find the other two slinking into the shadows.
"A god that demands the sacrifice of his faithful is a god not worth worshipping," She says in a calm and level voice to the shadows, "and a ruler that does not seek to help his people is not worth following. Will you let us help those of you that are ill and injured?"
The young paladin waits for an answer as her sword's tip hovers barely an inch from the stone floor. She waits, but does not expect an answer.
"I don't know," Joanna admits softly. The look on her face is troubled and her eyes are dark.
Halli bumps Joanna's leg and gets her attention before nuzzling her hand as her tail wags. The wolf's antics seem to lessen the young paladin's darkening mood and brings a small smile to Joanna's face.
"I want to help them. Help heal their wounds and help them find a better path, though they have to choose that path."
Two by two, orbs glowing in the reflected light of Ziomarra's summoned illumination appear near the entrance to this large cave... a handful of limping troglodytes emerging from the depths of the cavern network. Standing as tall as its bent limbs will allow, the least sickly one calls out to Teldon.
"老主席死於博格德傷口...烏吉洛不是好的酋長，為我們的神殺死許多生病的Xulgath，但從來沒有任何答案。你......你讓我們更好了嗎？你使部落更 好？你治好了嗎?"
"他的统治结束了。我们将竭尽所能帮助你的人民。然后你会带领我们到古老的废墟，以便我们可以阻止铁妇女要求更多的权力。" Teldon answers.
"It's alright," he counsels his companions, "it was only Uggilo who did not want our help. These ones have all come for your aid."
"Teldon, do you think you can teach me their language," Joanna asks, "Not now, but later? For now, will you translate for us, please?"
Joanna asks to see the worst of the sick and injured first. As she works to clean and bind their wounds, she teaches them how to deal with infections and the importance of using clean cloth that has been boiled in clear, clean water for bandages. Once she has cleaned and bound everyone's wounds, she asks for them to gather around her as close as she can.
"Among us are Three who follow Iomedae, Shelyn, and Desna. We have been blessed by our goddesses with gifts that give us strength, courage, and succour. One of these gifts I now give to you. I may not have a way to cure you of the sickness you bear, but I can ease the pain at least."
A soft silvery light flows out from Joanna as she mutters a prayer for mercy and kindness. She asks Iomedae for the wisdom to help these find a better path and help them along it.
When she looks up once more, she asks them, "What path will you follow now? We want to help you, but it is up to you, all of you, to choose the path you walk. This is the difference between the goodly gods and the wicked gods. The gods of evil demand blind obedience to their whims. The goodly gods ask that you do what's right and follow their tenets by your own choice. The road will not be easy, and there will be times where you will doubt yourselves and your choices, but take heart and have faith. Though no mortal may take notice of your actions, of your kindness and goodwill, the gods do, and they reward those who follow their teachings on faith that they are making this world just a little better."
Teldon seems skeptical (especially when the conversion talk begins) but he shrugs and translates for her (though he makes sure his spear is in hand before he offers Jo's proselytizing.)