From his searching, Koba overhears some of the dialogue coming from the man who was overly dressed in Koba’s opinion. Keeping his attention to his search looking for an escape, Koba does wonder to himself the practices of these other beings.
Odd that he demands we look out for his wellbeing. Would never stand if one of mine had said such a thing. I guess the chief did. Jilek did once too, but he got sent to guard against incoming adventurers. I do not think I would give him my weapon. I do have the extra warhammer, but he did not say he was good with one. No, I think I’ll keep it to myself.
Also seeing the look from the dwarven eyes shoot over him, Koba makes sure not to look towards her, knowing how much trouble he’s received from members of that race.
Why does it have to be a dwarf? I’ve never done anything to them and all I’ve ever gotten for my trouble was an axe swinging at my head. Even my old tribe, evil as they are, never harmed dwarves. Although, that might be only because we never encountered them. Something to continue thinking about, but I should steer clear until I know how this one will react.
Mori listened as Horgus called out Melchesiech for being afraid, perhaps trying to get a rise from him.
After the wounded elf's interruption, Mori snaps back at Horgus. "Only a fool would claim to be fearless in this situation. The days events would inspire that in any sane person. That he took the time to help free you from the rubble is proof he's braver than most."
Grrr... There's something that just rubs me the wrong way about this man. The sooner I leave his company, the happier I'll be.
She turns to Daylen and Mel and says "I'm going to look around as well for a bit, we'll likely need all the supplies we can find." Glaring at Horgus briefly, she adds "Since you can walk and appear uninjured, you should either help Daylen, the Dwarf, or help us search for supplies."
Turning around quickly, she begins to walk away to begin searching the area, looking for anything useful among the rubble.
Daylen sighed as Mori left to go search. He knew a honeyed tongue would be their best be of getting everyone working together and coming out of this alive. He was also disappointed that the injured elf wouldn't respond to him. Gathering his thoughts, Daylen began, "We've already been down here for who knows how long. We're gods know how deep below the surface, and on that surface stride demons ready to tear you limb from limb. We should be scared. This is an old cliche but it's true: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather is triumph over it. Without fear, there can be no courage. It serves no purpose to accuse someone of fear that we all should be feeling."
Daylen raised his voice just a bit higher, hoping to have the injured elf hear his words as well. "We all need to work together to get out of here. We all have skills that set us apart. We must each use those skills for the good of us all, rather that for ourselves. If we spend our time taking jabs at one another and squabbling about what is past, we will surely die down here. Now, there are others searching the cave for a way out and any equipment they can find. As soon as they are finished, we'll need to get moving. We're not leaving anyone behind and to that end, we must unite. Make ready to move, we need to get out of here."
Melchesiech examines the five bottles with a practiced eye and a repeat of the detection cantrip.
As she walked away to search she caught most of Daylen's speech. I suppose I should do what I can to avoid antagonizing Horgus. Ending up at each other's throats will certainly do nothing to help us in our exodus from this place.
When she returns, Mori thanks Mel for taking the potions. "Perhaps some of them will be useful for helping treat the wounds of the elf or the woman."
Setting aside the remainder of the goods she says, "It looks like we've got a good bit of rations, just under three day's worth if we divide them among all of us. Hopefully we can supplement them with foraging to stretch them out."
Melchesiech bows, a short abrupt motion, then takes a second look at the blind elf. "Mistress Anevia Tirabade. Master Aravashnial. Master Horgus Gwerm. I am Melchesiech." He speaks a few words in Elvish: "From Kyonin." Then back to Common: "Master Aravashnial, there is a broken magic lance here, and I am not sufficiently experienced to repair it. Are you able to do so?"
Stopping his searching of the cavern, Koba comes over to the group as he hears himself being talked to by an assortment of people. Towards Anevia ”Yesss I am, I’ve come to show the city and the world that not all kobolds are the sssame. Just asss I’ve come to notice neither are all you humans. Koba-Jol at your ssservice. “
Surprised that anyone would show interest in his race as much as the elf is, Koba cocks his head a bit but more than willing to share knowledge, ”Sssso many questionsss please slow down. Yes my sssscales denote some heritage of a mighty green dragon from ssssomewhere in my past. We are closely related you know. It isss known that kobolds are the forerunners of the dragon ascension in this world to their power.” Slightly jumping around as he is getting overexcited talking about the dragons, Koba tries to remind himself to stay calm ”As to magic, it is something I wish to explore further but need someone to guide me. All I can do is create small orbs of ……… Sind die Drachenschuppen!?!?!”
Rushing to Melchesiech, Koba explodes in an excited anticipation of what he might be looking at. Extending a quaking arm towards the Elf, he asks
“Kann ich eins habe bitte?”
In the gathered light of the group, it's now clear Mori bears ritual markings of some form over her body. Crimson lines trace from her hands up along her arms and shoulders to her face, where they meet in a symbol on her forehead. Similar symbols adorn the backs of her hands. On her neck is a pendant, which upon closer inspection appears to consist of woven vines and an unopened flower bud.
The ritual markings are Druidic in origin, and are designed to aid in the linking of two souls. It is likely a similar set of markings was used on someone or something else. The ritual may sometimes cause the marks to become indelible, especially in cases where something goes awry.
The pendant marks the bearer as an exile in the process of being judged by their circle. The one bearing it generally has committed some act which, while not irredeemable, must be atoned for. When the flower on the pendant blossoms, the wearer must return to face judgement.
"Since we appear to be doing formal introductions, I am Mori Fallenoak, member of the druid circle near Greengold in Kyonin. It's a pleasure to meet you Anevia, Aravashnial." She gives a quick, but graceful bow.
"I am at home in the wilderness, and as such my talents tend to revolve around it. I am skilled at tracking and survival, can fight, and have some small measure of magic, though nothing so fancy as Aravashnial and Melchesiech here."
Daylen sighed, at least everyone was conscious and the search of the area seemed over. Listening to Horgus and Aravashnial bicker, he realized they would probably have to be kept separated. Giving the matter some thought, he spoke up after Mori's introduction. "I believe I have mentioned my name to each of you, but if we are making formal introductions at this point, then I will oblige. My name is Daylen Valdrom, a member of the Order of the Iron Lance. And this is Keldrom, my friend and companion." he patted Keldrom's neck, then resumed.
"Now, we're all aware of the dire situation above us, which is why it is imperative we get moving as soon as possible. I'll take point, Koba and Aravashnial will come next. Aravashnial, we may need your expertise very shortly and Koba, you will be his eyes. I'm sure you two will find much to speak on. After that, Anevia and uh, the dwarf woman, I'm sorry, I don't believe I caught your name. We'll need support from the center. Guarding the rear, I'd like Horgus and Mori."
Daylen looked around and caught his breath. He followed up, "If neither of our wounded have need of Keldrom, I'll ride him at the head of the formation. Otherwise, he is available to either if it is required. Take another minute or so, finish getting patched up as well we can, and then we form up."
Melchesiech cocks a single eyebrow at the cavalier.
Before that, though, the elf replies to the kobold. "Ja." He continues in Common, "I believe I understand the extremity of your emotional response, but it is inconsiderate to use another tongue exclusively around those who may not share it. Yes, I believe these are, in fact, dragon scales, from our late savior Terendelev." May she find peace at Pharasma's judgment.
"They carry potent magics. This one will, thrice daily, empower a weapon with Law or Good. Daylen or Koba-Jol, one of you will likely find some use for it. This one will enable the bearer to resist cold or electricity thrice daily. This one casts the illusion spell alter self three times per day, allowing the bearer to appear as another humanoid. Perhaps Koba-Jol might carry that one. The final scale allows for an unusual variation on the levitate spell, with the recipient appearing to stand on a pillar of cloud. I do not know if it can be cast on another creature; if so, that may be quite useful in getting Keldrom through difficult passages."
When Daylen suggests mounting up in here, Mori turns to him with a look of concern upon her face.
"Daylen, I would recommend against riding Keldrom in these caverns. While horses have keen senses--there's no doubt his vision is certainly better in the dark than your own--they aren't suited to this kind of terrain. He will have a hard time maneuvering among the rubble if we get into trouble, especially if he's being pushed to charge, as knights tend to do." While her delivery isn't the most polite, it's clear that she has Keldrom's best interests in mind.
"Also, you may wish to reconsider placing me at the rear. Of all those here only the dwarf and kobold have vision which compares with mine, and I am also able to use scent to track or warn me of threats that would otherwise remain hidden." she says with a hint of pride.
Turning to Mel, she adds, "The levitation scale will indeed come in handy for Keldrom if we can use it on him, and there's no doubt in my mind that the illusory one should go to Koba. It's certain we'll eventually run into someone less understanding than we are, and since I'm still not entirely certain how understanding I am about his presence, avoiding such situations would be ideal."
"I assure you good misss, I am here only to help", bowing slightly to Mori. "It would be my greatest honor to hold such a scale, I will treat it with the reverence and care it deserves. I offer my apologiess to everyone, I did not mean to use my native tongue. To be in the presence of such perfection is rare indeed and I...became excited."
Holding the scale in his hands, Koba is in awe and almost worships the object he now holds. It has been his dream to someday work with a dragon and have its blessing bestowed upon him.
Shaking off his wonderment, Koba looks towards Daylen, "I care not where I march in the order, but I have better vision in the dark than most, save it seems for Mori is it? and the dwarf. I also have been trained to take quite a beating and am quite deft at dodging incoming blows. I grew up in tunnels and might be able to avoid possible dangers before you can see them. I will follow the will of the group, though and I believe you are right. We should probably try to return to the sssurface to help as ssssoon as possible."
"Forgiven and forgotten. I have a lapse to confess, as well; I neglected to introduce Tranh." The elf indicates the dark brown hawk on his shoulder. Tranh takes the opportunity of being the center of attention to preen and partially open his wings.
When Melchesiech speaks up to tell everyone about the dragon scales, he realizes he had not put him into a position in the formation. His doubts only compound when Mori voices her misgivings about the plan. The lessons his uncle had given him on command and troop movements had never taken into account kobolds, dwarves, or elves. The order was almost exclusively human. He sighed, "Yes, you each have good points. Koba, you should take point then. I'll be right behind with Aravashnial. Though if your eyes and nose are as keen as you claim, Mori, perhaps the rear is where you should stay. There are two points of weakness for a column of our sort,the front and the rear. Sharp eyes, ears, and in this case nose, are usually needed to guard the back ranks." Turning to Melchesiech, he continues, "I apologize for forgetting you previously, perhaps you should stay toward the center?"
Daylen considered Keldrom as well for a moment, then finished, "I appreciate your concern for Keldrom's well being, I truly do. Until we see what is ahead, it may be wisest to stay unmounted for now. As to the potions, the cure potions should probably be given to each of our injured members. I would certainly appreciate either the scale of sacred weaponry or cloudwalking for Keldrom. At any rate, unless there are any other concerns about our plan, we should get moving straight away."
With that, Daylen walks over to where the injured elf wizard, Aravashnial is sitting and offers his hand. Realizing the elf cannot see anything, he takes his hand,"Up you come. You and I will walk directly behind Koba, I'm sure you'll still be able to pick his brain to your heart's content." Daylen pulls the blind elf to his feet and brings him over to where everyone is gathered.
The elf gives a barely perceptible nod. "Perhaps I can walk with Aravashnial. Sir, would that be acceptable? I expect that you may still speak with Koba-Jol."
"He is a magnificent bird, I will enjoy seeing him fly when we get out of these caverns," she exclaims as she looks Tranh over.
Mori listens to Daylen's explanation and seems satisfied. "That does make sense, very well, I need a minute and then I'll be prepared to go."
Mori steps back from the group, finding a reasonably open spot and casts a spell quickly.
After finishing her spell, she crouches down, curling up so her chest is touching her knees. Her eyes close for a moment, she seems to pass out. After a few seconds a translucent sphere begins to extend from Mori, her curled form apparently fixed to its center.
As the sphere expands it begins to roughen and darken, eventually taking on the appearance of sleek black fur. The mass eventually ceases its growth and seems to uncurl, an ursine form stretching out and lifting itself up. The beast, a bear for all intents and purposes, bears the same red markings as Mori, and a complementary symbol on its forehead. Within it, Mori's tightly curled form is just barely visible.
The creature looks around for a moment, its eyes shining like rubies in the torch light.
The world always seems so strange through these eyes. I wish I could ask him if this is how he saw things. Everything always seems smaller, more distant somehow.
After getting its bearings, it speaks, its voice a low growl. "I do not normally assume this form in the presence of others."
It sniffs at the air and looks around for again before fixing its gaze on Daylen. "I am ready."
"I had promised him a hunt after Armasse; he will remember."
Melchesiech raises one eyebrow at the sight of Mori's transformation. "Ah. I have heard of that sort of fusion of eidolon and summoner before, but have never seen it for myself."
....Oh dear.Well,I am E-Terah Deepheavy o' Houndshearth.Farmer,healer,lender,an' oracle o' stone. Pleased to meet you,despite our grim circumstances.
She dipped her mohawked head in a bow.
Daylen reacted out of muscle memory as he reached for his sword when the strange spirit bear creature appeared, enveloping Mori. He eased his tense arm away from the sword's hilt whispering, "Dead gods..."
Realizing Mori was still in control of this admittedly alarming form, he was content to let her take her place. Handing Aravashnial's hand to Melchesiech, Daylen thought that might be for the best. As he did so, he commented to Melchesiech, "I fear your friend there will be hunting sooner than you had anticipated."
Daylen was also relieved to have finally learned the name of their dwarven healer. He responded in kind, "It is very good to meet you, E-Terah. I would ask that you please administer the two healing potions to our injured friends. We may have a rough road ahead of us, and I am loathe to lose any more than we already have." He turned away suddenly and walked a short distance away.
Taking a quiet moment before they all moved out, Daylen returned to the body of the child, Thom. His tiny hands still clutched the small wooden sword he had been playing with in the streets above just this morning. He knelt and placed his hand over the child's hands and swore an oath. "You will be the last, young one." As he stood, Daylen reached down and took the child's little wooden sword with him as a token to remember both the child, and his oath. Returning to the group, he composed himself and said, "Alright, take your places, we're moving out."
Melchesiech gives the dwarf another of his short bows, moving with the precision and control that seems to be typical of him. "A healer. Very good."
He follows the cavalier and kobold, leading his fellow elf. "Put your hand on my shoulder, Master Aravashnial. So."
Koba looks around, seeing everyone about ready to go and takes his position in front of the column. Making sure his shield is secure on his arm, he peers ahead. "I'm ready"
E-Terah did as the human male bid her,taking two of the healing droughts and giving them to the most injured of their group.She stored the glass vials away to use for later after checking to see exactly how much her patients had mended before moving on with a satisfied sound.
She gathered up the supplies they had managed to scrounge up amid the debris and bodies and neatly stored them away into her own pack,now set to bulging.She grunted at the weight but bore it without complaint or any sign of strain.
She eyed the metallic silver dragon scales with interest,brows meeting her hairline.She reached and picked up one and grasped it in her gloved palm,closing her eyes and sensing out its purpose.One that could bless weapons or even limbs with the forces of law or good---a boon against demons.
...!May ah hold onto this? I do believe I c'n put it t' use,if'n no one else wants it.
Then the dwarf maid held her maulaxe at the ready and took up a position tithe group's rear-- due to her slow swaggering gait and darkvision.Aye,let's all be catious.May the Dwarfather and his kin guide an' safeguard us. May all those lost this day find peace in Pharsama's Graveyard.
Melchesiech murmurs to Aravashnial, "Something is ahead. I cannot tell what it is, only that it is large." The elf unlimbers his longbow.
Mori moves up to the right of Mel and Aravashnial, trying to get a closer look at what he's referring to. Catching sight of the arachnid on the ground, she tenses up, baring her teeth reflexively and growling.
A giant spider. Be cautious, there may be others.
Mori watches it for a moment and then begins sniffing at the air and scanning around the cavern slowly.
Koba holds a hand up, motioning for people to stop if possible. Whispering behind him, "I believe you are right. It might be a spider, although larger than one I have ever seen. Odd that it is not moving, or even to have noticed us at all"
Looking around to see if something else might have the spider's attention, Koba readies his sword in case Mori is right and more spring from the shadows.
Daylen sticks his lit torch into Keldrom's saddle so he, and the people without the ability to see in complete darkness, can at least see the immediate surroundings. He takes his place at the front with Koba and begins to walk. As everyone calls out the impending danger of the spider, he swings his shield into place and draws his sword, dropping into a ready stance. His eyes aren't that great in the darkness but he peers into the distance to see the spider.
He says to Koba, eyes still forward, "Let's approach slowly. Approach on a curve. Take the right, I'll take the left." With that, Daylen slowly approaches the spider, swinging out gradually to the left. Sword in hand, he tenses his arm in preparation for a quick chop if it should be necessary.
In a low voice, Melchesiech describes the scene to Aravashnial. "Do you know of anything like this creature?"
Melchesiech takes mental notes on the other wizard's lecture for future reference, then tries to get a word in edgewise. "Sir, this does not appear to have the claws you ascribe to the bebelith."
"Its sides are moving. Be careful."
Mirroring Daylen's movements, Koba circles to the right keeping his shield and sword between him and the spider.
Well this is off to an auspicious start, I sure hope the others can hold there own if we are swarmed by these beasts.
Seeing Koba and Daylen moving to flank the demonic spider carcass, Mori alters her course and heads up the middle directly at it.
As she advances she begins focusing exclusively on the shifting carcass, preparing to charge should it rise.
This stench, so foul, so unnatural... sets my hair on end.
Revolted by the sight, Koba looks to put down these foes before they can threaten any of the hurt comrades. Yipping in excited draconic,
"Ehre für den Jol-Clan"
Lowering his sword Koba charges
Seeing the gruesome maggots burst forth, Mori lets forth a loud growl and begins lumbering towards the nearest of the two. As she reaches the vile creature, she lunges forth, her fearsome maw snapping at it.
Round 1:
Before anyone else can react (and get in the way of his shot), Melchesiech steps to the side and tries to put an arrow into one of the foul larvae.
Daylen cringed in disgust as the two maggots ripped their way through the spider's carcass. At least its not whatever the elf was going on about... he thought to himself.
Daylen brought his shield to bear, and gripped his longsword all the tighter. Advancing on the maggot, he brought the blade down hard.
The dwarf maid recoiled violently in disgust,voice changing pitch and seeming to echo like clattering stone in the depths of a well as she uttered something in Terran.
She flinched as one of the disgusting pallid grubs undulated closer.She lashed out in an underhanded stroke with the maulaxe.
Attk
Dmg
Melchesiech shakes his head slightly as he moves to the front of the melee. "This will not do." He then casts prestidigitation to clean Daylen, Koba, and anyone else who might have encountered the maggot's internal fluids.
The dwarf maiden went rigid in horrified shock at the vile shower she endured,dusky flesh paling to a ashen hue befitting a duergar.She relaxed gradually when Melchsiech used a cantrip to tidy her up,like a hedgehog unfurling itself and loosening its spines.
....Bless you. she murmured gratefully.