"I don't know about trying to jump it. Even taking off my armor and getting a running start... well, not making it would be punishing."
"Beagen, do you have more levitating magic that could assist?"
The Gnome's attention had been riveted on studying the ebb and flow of the different heritages in the guides' skin.
"What? Oh yes. When I received the scale, it told me exactly how to invoke Tenderlev's blessing. Strange thing, I've talked to all kinds of things before, including fauna and flora, but never a piece of hide, even if it was the hide of the noblest being, a wondrous Dragon, crusading against evil, protecting the lesser races, fighting the good fight, sacrificing all for the Cause!" Energy courses through him, animation driving his arms, his face, and his voice as he describes Tenderlev's actions.
"Ummm, what was the question? Oh yeah, the scale told me I could use it three times after my morning oblations, and then not again until I oblated again. Wait, that's not a word, although it sounds cool. Oooh-blaa-ted. oh-BLAY-ted. oh-blay-TED." He's quite sure it should be a proper word, if it's not already.
"So yes, to be succinct and directly to the point, I can invoke the rising power twice more before my next morning obla... ummm, prayers. And each time it can just lift one being or object for something a bit more than a quarter hour, but it could be very weighty." He looks directly at the knight. "An object or person the size of six or seven Serra's maybe."
"But the blessing only moves things up and down, not across. So we might need that rope over first, so whomever Tenderlev sends into the air can pull themselves over."
"We can lower the injured one at a time into the chasm, then lift them up again on the other side. I think I can climb it, but if not Beagan can levitate me up. Then we use the rope again."
Cole shakes his head, "This will take some time, but it's not unsurmountable. We'll just have to be careful and take it slow." And not drop anyone.
Assuming the others agree, Cole sets the grapple and begins to climb down into the chasm - sunrod still sticking out of his belt.
If someone else has rope, Cole will cross over and begin to climb up the other side. (take-10 = 17 climb). He'll then secure the grapple there, and lower the rope on that end, helping folks climb (or hoisting them up) to the passage beyond.
If there's only one rope, he'll wait until everyone is in the chasm then get his rope back, climb up the other side, etc.
Cole combs down into the chasm . His sunrod lights the area well, but he does not see any obvious threat at the bottom of the chasm.
Eli helps to lower those needing assistance, and waits to the last to untie the ropes and make the descent as best he can.
Serra assists as he can, ready to make a climb of his own by removing his armor (if necessary). He will knot the rope for his descent.
Climb down vs DC 5 (rope)
Climb down vs DC 5 (rope)
Climb up vs DC 5 (rope)
Climb up vs DC 5 (rope)
Climb up vs DC 5 (rope)
Serra slides a bit trying to climb up the first time, but gets the hang of it.
Eli takes to the ropes on the other side of the ravine, and bides his time, waiting for the injured to be cleared at the top. Then he makes his climb.
The Gnome also has rope, and will help secure rope harnesses for those who might have difficulty climbing the knotted rope themselves - probably Ara-vashnyel, Grel, Anevia and possibly Horgus.
"We'll get you across, one way or the other!"
Beagan closely watches the descent of the less-than-stellar climbers, holding his scale tightly in his hand, ready to lend help if needed.
With cooperation, determination, and luck, the large group is able to get everyone across. Dyra insists on holding the unconscious Crel in the rope harness, and the two of them are the slowest of the bunch. [ooc]Yay! You have passed the Chasm.
The way continues on the far side and continues on. After 30 minutes or so, Lann points out a small tunnel. This route, though more narrow, gleams with striations of luminescent stone. While only giving off a very dim light on its own, it soon brightens at the presence of the various light sources with the party. Further down, some anonymous artist has carved into scenes of what can only be an ancient Kenabres into an alcove.
The self-lighting stone fascinates the Gnome, as do the carvings. His comments echo softly as the group passes through the narrow tunnels.
"This is very interesting rock. I wonder if it burns, too? Quite a place - with burning and glowing stone! Maybe I should have been a Rock Gnome." No, I guess wouldn't give up the woodlands for even these rocks. "And these etchings - they're fascinating. Not sure what they mean, though..."
"Lann, is there any formality to which we should pay heed when we arrive in Neathholm? How many are you? Who is your leader?" Eli tries not to barrage Lann with the questions, waiting for answers before asking the next question.
Eli walks amongst the group, routinely positioning himself between Errit and the others. "Errit. We're likely going to visit a large population of folk who bear similar body features to Lann and Grel. Are you comfortable enough in their company?" Eli makes sure to ask this when Lann, Grel, and Dyra are distant enough.
"Oh good, Kastor, you made it over safely. Now, be a good squire and help me with my armor," Serra suggests to the squire as he re-dons his armor.
*oof*
*suck in gut*
*grunt*
When his armor is finally on again, Serra will follow Cole and Grasker and the mongrelmen on.
* * *
As they move to the striations of stone, Serra will describe the scene to Ara-Vashnyel, helping the man get an experience of what it is like in the underneath.
It is too bad he must miss this all, because it is beautiful. New. Different. I shall count my blessigs.
Jurin remains unusually silent while the group moves along, though he does continue to pause and lick rocks while waiting for the injured to continue moving.
***************
"How often do you ablut Beagle? Is that a knight thing? Maybe you could teach Serra to oblut too?"
***************
"Don't worry Eli, I'll catch you if you fall."
"Good, I don't think I could've caught you."
****************
"How far to the pastry chef? We need to talk about the layout of this place. The dough is far too far from the ovens."
Cole takes a moment to study the carving. He particularly looks for demonic forces in the artwork - and if he finds them, tries to determine if they are being praised and glorified...
Otherwise he trudges along with the others. Uneasy about going deeper when he's sure the trip to the surface lies in the tunnels behind them.
He's distrustful of the parties so-called new found friends, but he does his best to keep his mouth shut on his feelings and tries to hope for the best - though his bow is always handy and his quiver full.
Cole does find a few instances of portrayals of demonic forces in the carving, but they do not seem to be glorifying or praising. Rather, they reflect the fight of the First Crusaders against the invaders.
"One just needs to be respectful. It is likely that Chief Sull will want to meet you right away." Lann offers as the group continues through the gleaming tunnel.
Errit laughs hollowly, "I am far from being in a position to cast stones, am I, Eli? Though they appear... different, they have proved themselves to be more than fair so far. If that changes, then I shall try not to be a hindrance." The man nods as if that has settled his position on things.
Eventually, the striations fade off, and it is simply another tunnel, curling several times before something of an opening appears ahead. The tunnel opens into a circular cavern, roughly forty feet in diameter. Thick sheets of fungus grow in the cave, and several tunnels branch off. All of these save one in the north wall lead downward; the northern one leads upward. What appear to be two dead bodies lie on the ground in the middle of the cave, next to a strange heap of ropy green fungus.
"Jurin, actually, I think one performs oblations, one doesn't oblate, but one is an oblate! It's not a knight thing, I don't think, but a God thing. Serra, if you want, I can show you how I perform oblations." The Gnome loosens one of his bracers, tracing the runic 'R' drawn during his morning ritual on his forearm.
"It's my fondest hope that the Big R accepts not only my sword arm, but takes my soul as an oblate! But performing oblations doesn't make me one, at least not yet. Maybe someday." He sighs, knowing his dream is not likely to come true.
*******
As he sees the fungus, he warns his companion. "Jurin, I know the rocks have told you much through your tongue, but I don't recommend that with the fungus until we know more. Sometimes tasting fungus is among the best things in the world, but other times it's downright dangerous." And sometimes it's both at the same time!
He sniffs the air, trying to pick up any scent that might tip off the effects of the fungus while looking over the cavern. When he spots the two corpses, he points to the bodies. "See what I mean!"
"Oh, you're right Beagle. Fungus would not be good."
*stage whisper*
"You might start seeing things!"
Cole eyes the two dead bodies unhappilly - even more so at the prattling of his companions and their never ending religious conversations.
He moves toward the center of the chamber and readies his bow for combat. Something killed those poor bastards and I hope it wasn't living fungus!
He waits, patiently, for someone to check the bodies while he provides cover and light from a short ways away.
Nothing attacks Cole while he keeps watch.
Eli prods the dead men with his hammer, and makes a couple studious noises in turn. "Looks damn well like the two of them fought at each other. The strange plant was unfortunate to be in the vicinity."
Sensing the rigor mortis will keep them from attacking, Eli gets close enough to search the two men for identification of any kind. From above, or from below. If either of them bear deformity, Eli will ask Lann to inspect them more closely with him.
Serra frowns as he learns what fate befell the two men.
"They killed each other, did they?" Serra hitches up his scaled armor again, trying to minimize the chaffing. Serra draws his starknife and moves forward to investigate with Ely, poking through the bodies while squatting.
"See here, Kastor? You can learn a lot from Ely, here. He says these two men slew each other and they killed the plant too. As a knight, you'll be in fights with other men and plants and beasts and demons. You'll need to fight hard not to end up like these three," Serra instructs Kastor, giving a nod of thanks to Ely for the information.
If nothing else is found, Serra will be ready to press on. He will oof loudly on his way out of squat.
Both men are dressed as crusaders of Iomedae, and each still wears a masterwork chain shirt. Neither of them show any of the deformities of the mongrel men. One of the dead bodies still carries a potion of some sort, while the other has a scroll of some kind in a pouch. Between the two of them, they also carry 129 gp.
Curiously, the crusaders are not armed with the longswords typically wielded by Iomedae’s followers, but instead carry glaives and a spiked gauntlet. Furthermore, the body on which the scroll was found clutches something tightly in his fist—a small symbol of a brass bull’s head with tiny red gemstone eyes.
"You might start seeing things."
"Depending on what you see, that can be the best part of fungus-tasting. But still...."
Beagan will try to get a better peek at the bodies, too.
"Oh, these guys look like they must be from Lann's city! Look at the horns growing out of that guy's hand!"
After a moment, he realizes the horns come from the bull-shaped object that the hand is wrapped around. "Oh! It's not part of his body, I guess it's in his grasp. Oh blight! I didn't realize... I mean I ... " Looking rather shaken, the Gnome swallows hard and slowly slips away from the center of attention.
Serra looks at Kastor and smiles, holding up the glaives for all to see.
Profession (Soldier)
"It's a glaive, Kastor. A glaive is a lesser version of a guisarme and for those who are not skilled enough for the bardiche. Long in reach, glaives are sometimes used by holy warriors who do not fight well. My father used a bardiche, Kastor because it allowed him to fight while compensating for his limp. Mayhaps I will train you in the like in time."
Serra offers the weapons about.
"If needed, we could build a stretcher out of these glaives. Also, a scroll and a potion,"
Serra takes a moment to examine the symbol before passing it on.
Know (religion)
Serra recognizes the bull head talisman as an unholy symbol of Baphomet, the Demon Lord of Minotaurs. He is said to rule over the Abyssal realm known as The Ivory Labrinth.
"You might start seeing things.""Depending on what you see, that can be the best part of fungus-tasting. But still...."
Beagan will try to get a better peek at the bodies, too. Perception of crap.
"Oh, these guys look like they must be from Lann's city! Look at the horns growing out of that guy's hand!"
After a moment, he realizes the horns come from the bull-shaped object that the hand is wrapped around. "Oh! It's not part of his body, I guess it's in his grasp. Oh blight! I didn't realize... I mean I ... " Looking rather shaken, the Gnome swallows hard and slowly slips away from the center of attention.
Lann flushes angrily at the little gnomes words, and Dyra looks as if he'd just punched her in the gut. "These are not of our people. They are part of the latest group, and no friends of ours." Dyra offers no more but keeps to herself, with only Crel for company.
The Gnome is visibly flustered, an ashen pale crossing his face, a strange twist and bend squirming bending his back and lowering his head.
He clutches at his forearm and swallows hard. "Sir, I beg forgiveness for my inept and inopportune observation." As his fearful gaze moves across the remarkable, other-worldly features of Lann and his companions, a haunted look trembles in his wide eyes. "My most humble apologies - I beg your forbearance." His voice is halting and weak, lacking its normal strength and confidence.
As the unsteady words slip out, another cringe shakes his face and body, his visage and stance even more subdued as he slinks back away.
Dyra sniffs and Lann merely stares at the gnome, then turns, and moves with Dyra to the other side of the group.
Serra clenches the holy symbol and is tempted the hide the thing lest it panic the others, but decides the knightly thing to do would be to show no fear in the face of evil nor hide from the truth.
Serra offers the talisman around after he explains what it is, letting people decide for themselves if they want to take a closer look.
"Weird, I know this one...and it ain't good. This represents allegiance to Baphomet, the Demon Lord of Minotaurs. He is said to rule over the Abyssal realm known as The Ivory Labrinth," Serra reports seriously. "I know not why these would have it, whether they found it while adventuring or whether they were true believers, I cannot say. But let us recognize it for what it is."
When people are done looking at it, Serra places the holy symbol on a flat rock, little gems be damned in his mind.
"Ely, your hammer...if you would..."
Serra steps away from the rock, expectant.
Eli gapes a bit as he watches Beagan weave a new kind of barrier magic. He moves quietly towards the Neathhommies. "Lann, Dyra, please. We've suffered a great fall. To some, the fall was greater in proportion, and to some, normal mental states are just returning." Eli lowers his voice, willing the emotions to lower in intensity as well. "Our company gnome is often accused of raw form of thought. Unprocessed, at best. Unrefined, at worst. He was too quick to associate symbolic horns of a symbol with your more literal horn. Please, do not see intentional offense in it. Perhaps, unbridled curiosity?"
Eli turns to Serra, hears the explanation, spots the symbol, and brings his hammer down upon it. Several times, if necessary.
He returns his attention to Lann and Dyra, judging their frustration with the gnome. Why are gnomes so... blathery?
Eli is able to pacify Lann and Dyra enough to keep them with the group, though only reluctantly.
"Baphomet?!?! and Dressed as crusaders? I knew it!!!" Aravashnyel crows, nearly dancing with excitement. "I've been telling anyone who would listen, which wasn't all that many, let me tell *you*, that cultists were hiding within the rank and file crusaders! and now I have proof!"
Anevia's face twists with a mixture of disgust and fear. "I would say this was just another of Aravashnyel's conspiracy theories, were the proof not laying at our feet. We must hurry to get word of this back to Irabeth, and the others. They are in grave danger!"
"Proof, proof. The symbol is proof? Well, was proof. Proof of what though? Anybody can carry a symbol. Might be others here."
Cole agrees with Jurin, "Anevia, If we had been more financially savvy instead of righteous we too might be carrying around that symbol - hoping to eventually sell the gems and the rest for scrap. Hard to know if they were true turncoats or not now as they're dead."
"I say we hope for the best, wish them well in the afterlife, and press on."
He turns to the others as he sizes up all the passages that leave this chamber.
"Which way?"
Cole agrees with Jurin, "Anevia, If we had been more financially savvy instead of righteous we too might be carrying around that symbol - hoping to eventually sell the gems and the rest for scrap. Hard to know if they were true turncoats or not now as they're dead."
"I say we hope for the best, wish them well in the afterlife, and press on."
He turns to the others as he sizes up all the passages that leave this chamber.
"Which way?"
"Oh ho! I disagree, Cole, is it? What sort of weapons did you say, Glaives? Those are the weapon of choice of Baphomet's followers." Aravashnyel seems quite certain.
Anevia looks torn, but the glaives are laying there, beside the bodies, and Irabeth is far away. "No, I don't think so, Cole. Aravashnyel is right; proper Iomedaen Crusaders carry longswords. Irabeth uses a long sword, and is quite devoted to it, as a symbol of her goddess."
Serra nods thanks to Ely for the smashing of the unholy symbol. "Nice work, Ely. Much obliged, Ely."
Serra packs away one of the MW Chain Shirts, and the potion and scroll for later identification.
"Kastor, next time we stop, let's get out the armor sheen and clean up this armor. It might be a better fit for me than what I am wearing now."
Serra is ready to move on, looking at Cole and Grasker to push on.
After a few minutes, the Gnome's color and some of the confidence seems to return after Eli's reassurances to the local denizens.
"Appearances - and first impressions - can be very deceiving." As I just so clumsily demonstrated. "Too often those who want to pursue righteousness can stumble," he looks over to Errit, "and sometimes an initial glance is incredibly incorrect, and unwise, uniformed impressions taken for evil intent." He looks to Lann and Dyra, his face reddening a bit as he lowers his head in shame.
"Cole may be correct, but what we've found is compelling enough that we must report and share it with those who are wiser, who can look more deeply, and not come to mistaken, initial conclusions." Like me.
"Lann, I assume you're people will want to know this, and despite my ignorance, I hope you will still help us return home so we can report it to those above, who may be infiltrated themselves."
"I hope you will still help us return to them, so that we may report and try to uncover the truth behind this disturbing scene." He gestures to the multiple tunnels leaving this 'grotto', especially looking at the one that seems to head upward, and looks to Cole and Grasker, hoping they can continue to suss out the way.
Cole shrugs, a little worried about how little it takes to condemn a man with this group. They want squeaky clean or nothing. I wonder what I might have that could get me into trouble.
He takes a mental inventory of his supplies and decides there's nothing there to condemn him today.
He presses on with Grasker down the proffered tunnel (assuming one is offered).
"Maybe they were infiltrating a cult. No way to know from this strange scene, of two crusaders and some strange fungus. Whoever they were, their armor is nice."
If there is one left Grasker will strip off the masterwork to replace his normal chain shirt.
"Could someone clean this with magic, just in case there are spores?"
If no one has prestidigitation then Grasker will use create water to wash off the armor. He will strip off the the regalia that marked them as crusaders (and clean it) "For identification purposes..."
He also takes a moment to set the bodies in a composed manner, rinse them with water and say last rights over them. "In case they were crusaders."
Upon Grasker's request, Beagan steps forward. "Lady of Stings, trick the grime to leave these items and may it the dirt soil itself instead."
"Thank you, good knight."
"Thank you, good knight."
Serra murmurs bemused thanks as well. He seems clearly confused by something that just happened, as if just realizing something.
Serra will begs the parties forgiveness as he yet again changes his armor to something less...uh...constrictive.
"Yes, Kastor, sometimes...*strain*...you find things...*unbuckle*...that might fit...*oof*...you better on the...*re-buckle*...battlefield. These knights or servants or whatever...*suck in gut*...weren't going to...*exhale*...use this armor."
Serra seems pleased as punch to have a lighter armor.
Still doesn't make you a knight, fat ass.
Nope. You're not worth either armor.
Lann relents, talking quietly with Cole as the group continues towards his home. "Those men, there has been an increase in uplanders of late. They have aligned themselves with another tribe..a very bad tribe. I cannot imagine they were up to any good."
Crossing the fungal cavern, Lann points the way to another smaller tunnel. "This way! We're almost home."
And soon enough, it is within view. A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundredfoot- wide cavern, the walls and ceiling aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky one-hundred-foot-wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake’s closest shore.
While still on the tunnels, Grasker will ask about other breaches of etiquette that might be avoided. "Lann, are there any customs we should know to be respectful of during our visit?"
When they arrive at the cavern, Grasker is impressed. "Wow. This place looks cool."
"Do go on, Grasker. It would do myself and the wise elf good to hear your description."
Turning to Lann, Cole blurts out, "You have a very lovely village here. Looks peaceful."
Cole waits at this point for Lann to lead the group into the village. We're guests here, remember to act like it. He fully puts his bow away for the first time since the demon attack and makes an effort to look relaxed.
It doesn't quite play though as his face crunches up a little with the effort and makes him look somehow more intense and unrested. Unsettled.
He wonders if he should douse his sunrod, and then realizes he's not sure if that even works. He fumbles around with it a little before eventually putting the still lit rod into his pack to hide it's brightness.
He follows Lann.