"Sure," says Azura. "Since the Duskwardens do this kind of trip all the time, I would imagine that they're already familiar with how to do this. Let's just make friends, watch each other's backs, and try to get through this in one piece."
The large, moustachioed merchant initially takes no notice of the party approaching.
"Oi! Marl, mind that crate there!" He barks as the son in question wobbles with a crate in his arms. "The glassware in there is quite fragile!"
When the party's footsteps get louder, he turns his head. "Ah--greetings to all o' ya. You're headin' the same way we are, eh?"
"That's right!" says the bubbly bard cheerfully. [b]"Hopefully a quick and easy trip! Though there's always something... but so many people take this path, I would expect that we'll make it, too!"[b/]
"It'd better be. This is the boys' first time goin' with me anywhere... and it'd be my first time here too." Bolgar sighs as his sons start arranging the crates on his cart.
"Well at least you've been paired up with a group that might be better than hired security, I'm sure everything will be fine." Ryn says before introducing everyone.
"What do you think of those boys, eh?" She smirks and nudges your ribs.
"That's what I've been told, but I'll admit I still have my doubts." Bolgar wrinkles his nose and looks over at his sons. "I can take direction well enough--it's the boys that concern me."
"How so?" asks Azura. "You said it's their first time. Are they argumentative? Just not taking the hazards seriously? We'll try to help out, as we're all in this trip together."
Bolgar sighs. "They're good boys. But they're... well, they're prone to goin' off into their own little worlds. I reckon Kaer Maga's major path wouldn't need a whole dedicated company of its own if it weren't dangerous; it ain't gonna be a trip where they can afford to go daydreaming."
"Well, we'll help do what we can to keep them focused." Ryn replies.
As they approached the cliffs Saersha was on deck with Embyr, her right arm around her maid's waist while her hand stroked the other woman's hip gently. "A magnificent sight isn't it My Pet," she asked. When they reached the port the pair left the boat thanking the captain and crew and looked around at what amounted to a town. It wasn't much really, just enough for travelers to rest and resupply before continuing on their way.
Once the group was introduced to their traveling companions Saersha gave a graceful curtsy to the merchant and said, "I am Saersha and this is my maid," she gestured to Embyr, "Embyr. It is a pleasure to meet you." With her introduction done Saersha moved off to the side with Embyr and once again put one arm around the woman's waist.
"The thought had occurred to me." She whispers back. "Maybe we could share them?"
Bolgar begins to say something else when Abra claps his hands and beckons everyone around him. "Alright! Now, before we set out on this trek, there's a few rules for the trail that we need to establish. So listen up." He shoots a look at the two young men; they blink and exchange looks with each other in response.
"Once we pass through the Twisted Door--" Abra points at the massive twin bronze doors. "--we'll be in hostile territory. The things that lurk inside are numerous and hungry, and even we Duskwardens have trouble keeping the main path safe from danger."
"So, in order to make this trip as stealthily and as safely as possible, there is to be NO TALKING unless absolutely necessary, and NO NOISE AT ALL if I signal for it." At this, Bolgar's brow furrows and his nose wrinkles.
"And the reason i say THAT, is because I'm going for as much stealth as possible on this run so it'll be easier for us to fight in such cramped quarters if we have to." Abra adds, looking at the party. "Now, anyone have any questions about the road ahead?"
Azura gives Ryn a knowing look, then says, "We'll do our best. Um, if a fight does break out, is it all right to use magical music? 'cuz things will probably hear the fight anyway."
Abra looks over at Azura. "If it'll ensure whatever fight we get into ends quicker, fine. But if it gets drawn out--and I hope to Erastil that it doesn't come to that--it's a bad idea."
Ulfr doesn't hesitate to nod is understanding. We usually fight to quite the soundtrack. Miss Azura and I like to harmonize as we bash skulls in, but at your word we will abstain. Your path, your rules.
"Most of our fights tend to end rather quickly, especially once they get going." Ryb adds,
He smirked at the mans directions to no noise...good luck on that with the party they were in. He was probably the quietest one of the bunch and he preffered to scream his opponents to death...He paused and caught sight of Embyr....okay he was probably the second quietest. He noticed the rather coy predatory gaze the quiet 'maid' was giving the merhants boys and Saersha's hunters one. Those poor lucky fools.
"I have access to magics that can cause a complete disruption of sound, but it doesnt last but for a few moments so that is no help. These things you fear... do they track by sound or is it merely the idea to slip by unseen that you are referring too. I assume you have ran across troubles before? Is there anything in particular you can tell me of the attackers.... so i can prepare my magics of course."
He pulled out his medallion holy symbol of Cayden Cailean and gave everyone a wink. He hoped they understood the meaning. He sighed and looked at the girls, the merchants, the guide and then Ulfr. More nights warming his own bed it seemed. Oh well that was his mistake he suppsosed. Maybe he should have married that old widow. She had plenty of housestaff...
He refocused himself on the guides answer pulling out a notebook and quill to take notes if needed.
Abra turns to Trendon. "They track by sound, yes... and by other means I've yet to understand. What I speak of are creatures called seugathi--aberrant things from some unknown, eldritch locale."
"Their mere presence can instill madness in others, and prolonged exposure tears minds to pieces." The ranger's eyes turn grim. "And they're cunning enough to use weapons and magic items. They're canny opponents, and if you've any magic that'll safeguard minds it'll be bound to make a great difference."
Bolgar's face pales and his eyes widen. His sons, Tuggus and Marl, don't seem to be paying attention.
Despite her distraction with Embyr, Saersha did listen to the description of the horrors that their guide was concerned about. Saersha had never ehard of such things but found she was not enthused to meet them.
With the planning session concluding, Abra gestures to Mr. Grumm and his two sons before moving towards the doors--and coming to a halt.
"Actually, wait a moment. Almost forgot these." He starts going around to the party and the merchant wagon, handing out glowing turquoise crystals on leather thongs. "These here are halflight charms--good enough to serve as torches, but without the smoke and hassle. If you ever become separated from the group, use this and we'll come to provide assistance."
"Thank you," says Azura as she accepts one of the charms, which disappears into her cleavage. "I'll pull it out if we get separated."
"Everyone ready for our journey into the deep dark?"
Ryn accepts the charm, putting it on over her neck. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Hopefully it won't be necessary
Saersha nodded and said, "As ready as I will ever be I think."
He collected the charm and slid it around his neck letting it rest next to his holy symbol. He wondered if his magic would be especially devastating to these monsters if they hunted by sound... he could get...loud. He hoped he wouldnt have to find out.
Once everyone has been equipped with halflight charms, Abra moves to the doors and opens them. The massive bronze doors slide open with the scraping sound of metal on stone.
"Onwards we go, then."
-------------------------
The welcome glare of sunlight soon gives way to the ever-encroaching darkness of the Halflight Path as the caravan moves forward. It's slow going--the tunnels are only 15 feet wide and 15 feet tall, and Bolgar Grumm's wagon easily takes up much of that walking space. The ground gently slopes upward through the natural stonework of the caves--and after about half an hour, the uncarved stone yields to curious, spiral-shaped brickwork.
Abra wrinkles his nose and unlimbers his longsword. The Grumm sons strain and struggle with the cart as its wheels catch on errant stones and refuse to move.
Noting Abra's reaction, Ryn sniffs the air for any trace of something dangerous, before looking overat the twins fighting with the stuck cart. "Need help with that?"
Abra turns to Ryn and puts a finger to his lips before motioning with his hand to move forward.
The Grumm boys nod at Ryn. Marl points at a particularly stubborn jagged rock their wagon's wheel is stuck on.
Taking in the condition of the tunnel Ryn nods to herself. "Keep your eyes open! The worked stone indicates something intelligent is responsible for some of this...and there's a weird...acidic scent in the air." she says to her companions as she walks over to the wagon.
Moving to the middle and bending to grab hold near the axle, she instructs both of the brothers to take a place on either side of her. "When I say go, lift at the same time. Bolgar, when we lift and move it forward. One...two...three...Lift!"
With a bit of grunting, Ryn and the boys manage to heave the wagon wheel off of the obstinate rock!
Unfortunately, Tuggus' arms give out and he drops the wheel after getting it clear.
Abra's hackles raise and he whirls on the party. "Keep your bloody voices down!" He hisses, his blades starting to shake in his grip.
...
...what was that?
It felt like a rumbling noise, and it's coming this way!
He had been about to move over to help Ryn with the rock via magic when they managed to pull it out themselves. He to cringed at the noise that was made and crouched low doing his best to listen. All he could hear was the rustling of his clothing, the sounds of their breathing, his own hearbeat drumming up in his ears.
Slowly he looked to the others and shrugged.
Ryn cringes as the wheel slams down, stopping in her tracks and tilting her head as she listens. "$#!+, something's coming...something big! Get ready." she whispers, slipping her shield from her back and onto her arm.
"Well hell."
He said lowly pulling out his holy 'water' flask and taking a swig, He moved closer to Ulfr and then cast a spell,a translucent link of bluish energy covered both men before it faded.
"We are linked My large friend . . .We need to take whatever this is out fast before it brings more."
He said to the group.
Ulfr brings his club up and takes a deep, centering breath. It's going to be odd going into combat without singing. He moves to the front and steps in front of Abra. He motions him back and waves the party forward. The last thing they need to do is stop, whether something's coming or not. After taking his spot in the lead, Ulfr casts a quiet spell upon himself. He suddenly becomes fuzzy, almost insubstantial. As if your eyes can't quiet seem to place him exactly.
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For the moment, Azura freezes in place and remains absolutely quiet and still.
Their journey was going well enough until the announcement that something big was coming their way. Saersha wasn't sure what, exactly, she could do about it since she didn't know what it was. At least she could be ready to cast a spell. That in mind she kept her eyes open for the trouble.
The rumbling intensifies for a moment--and then the northwesternmost portion of the tunnel explodes in a shower of rock! Three large, worm-like monsters with hideous eyes and hooked jaws emerge, bearing short blades and oaken wands in their twinned tentacle-tails. Existence--and sanity itself--screams in their wake.
The worm-things rear up and let out a gurgling, ululating cry, the air itself twisting around the party as their noises burrow into their ears!
Abra and Embyr let out pained gurgling noises as their hands fly to their temples!
Ulfr has never heard a song so ugly. He stands his ground and lets the monsters come at him.
The weird gurgling cry pierces deep into Ryn's brain, drowning oing out thought, action, even the sensation of her feet firmly planted on the ground, as incoherent sounds escape her lips.
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Despite the warnings about noise, Azura raises her voice in a lilting, celestial song that seems to pierce the otherworldly discordance.
As Azura's song blankets the tunnel, those whose minds were afflicted with madness find their heads clearing!
He shook off the noise and moved to close with Ulfr and Ryn doing his best to make a wall of flesh between the monsters and the well civilians. He eyeballed the creature in the middle, Before he opened his mouth and retaliated with a scream of his own.
The chaotic agony echoing in her skull is suddenly and powerfully quelled by one of her favorite things in the world... the sound of Azura's voice. Confidence and purpose return as the madness is banished, momentarily bringing a warm smile to the gladiatrix' lips. A smile that is soon replaced with a look of intense focus as she burst into action, launching herself into a tumbling pass as she races toward the lead of the horrifying monsters, attempting to slip past it's defenses as she hammers home a devastating blow with her shield.
Saersha heard the strange cries of the hideous things gnawing at her mind but quickly narrowed her eyes and shook the effects off. How dare they try to manipulate her mind! She chanted and gestured and beneath one of the creatures.
Several things happen at once.
The seugathi Ryn attacks swings a masterwork short blade at her as she approaches--but it catches on her shield, and said shield crashes into its body! The shield pierces into its hide!
Ryn manages to ring its bell, but it's not down yet!
Saersha conjures up a large, spiked pit from the very shadows of the tunnel--
--and one of the seugathi doesn't seem to have noticed it's appearance. The other recoils from it, cut off from its brethren!
The first seugathi moves forward to get at Azura, but Ulfr intercepts it with a mighty swing! It feels like he just struck a massive boulder--the beast flinches, but it doesn't stop! It growls and turns its ire on Ryn...
...only for neither its sword strikes nor its gaping maw to land any blows!
The 2nd seugathi lets out a gurgling roar at being drowned out by Azura--it points an oaken wand at her and fires!
The missiles themselves leave a few bruises where they land.
Blacking both sword and bite with exceptional skill, Ryn retaliates, first slamming the monstrosity facing her with her shield, then twisting to redirect her momentum into a powerful throw, aimed at knocking the wand out of the grasping tentacle of the second seugathi. As her seild continues on it's trajectory, it bounces off the ground, reversing direction and ricocheting off her first opponent before returning to her hand.