Following the middle passage where the drow were captured leads into a larger chamber where several cave fisher corpses are beginning to rot. There bodies showing the wounds from blades and arrows.
The passage continues, from which can be heard the sound of crashing water in the distance, and soon the air grows humid.
Rounding a bend opens into a large cavern with a high ceiling. From the roof overhead streams a waterfall into a small pool, which then drains through a wide and long fissure to the north. The pool is about 60' from the entrance to the cavern.
Three small frog-like humanoids with webbed claws and feet splash in the pool. The eyes of the creatures emitting a bright light, which reflects off the water and falls creating a rainbow of colors.
These are blindheim, relatively harmless, unless attacked. They have only animal intelligence.
These are blindheim, relatively harmless, unless attacked. They have only animal intelligence she says before moving forward
Cormick nods his head in agreement with Aerin as they continue ever deeper in to the caverns. He keeps refreshing his dancing lights as needed, keeping them about 15'-20' ahead.
Before entering the cave Cindy will cast Mage armor and offer the spell to Issa for her bird (done with Pearl of Power - will last 7 hours). Next she casts her Frostbite to better arm herself. She then follows the group being as observant as she can be. When she sees the creature she will use a hex to turn on 10 minutes of natural armor.
Blindheim are capable swimmers and climbers, and are excellent jumpers. If threatened they can cause their eyes to glow with an intensity capable of blinding others. They themselves are immune to this effect, or any other effect that would cause blindness.
Save the fissure where the pool empties into the darkness below there are no other exits from this chamber.
Captain Ceyz asks, "Any idea where this stream of water might lead to?"
I haven't been down there, but I'll take a look at the fissure and let you know if I can discern anything.
Survival +3 if there are tracks
When Hezrog approaches, the blindheim leap into the pool and swim downstream, disappearing into the fissure.
The pool is easily 15' deep, with the stream running out of it perhaps 5' at the most shallow point.
There is numerous evidence of blindheim. Fecal matter, bones of fish, and a few patches of mud with the creatures tracks in it. At a guess, at least several dozen of the creatures live in this area.
While the stream starts off at a shallow decline, further in, as it passes underneath the rock, the slope increases and the stream becomes narrow and swiftly moving. The water worn tunnel leaves about 2' of space overhead if one were to venture down it, though keeping your footing would likely be near impossible at the far edge of your sight.
So i guess we can mark the place as nothing of interest regarding our current concern. So we go and explore the passage from which the cool breeze came from ?
"It doesn't look as if there is much here, so yes, let us check the other location."
I agree, let's go.
Heading back to the other passage, the group travels with their soldier escorts. The passage twists and turns, and soon becomes a steep incline. The air grows colder and after about a mile and a half of travel daylight can be seen ahead.
Approaching the entrance, a plateau can be seen. The last remnants of winters snow dotting the open area. Trails farther up into the snow covered peaks can be seen in the distance.
Several stone cairns can be seen dotting the plateau.
That is a way in not a way for for those underground. Hezrog any interesting tracks ? she ask
Let me look
Taking several minutes to look around, Hezrog discovers the tracks of several large humanoid footprints, though the toes appear to be clawed.
Captain Ceyz looks across the snow swept plateau. "If there is another way up for the drow, it could take us months to find it here. Unless you've any ideas, I think our best option is going to be placing a heavy guard at the cave entrance."
For the moment we know of only one. There is still one path we haven't explored yet
Returning back to the main encampment of men there is nothing much more than can be done here. There is a soft pop and several startled cries. Standing nearby are four men. The center man is a little short, and a little overweight. He wears the robes of the Tower, though they are torn and smudged. The other three are dressed in the livery of the Tower guard.
The man is easy to recognize as Master Veray, first of the Council of Seven. Despite clear exhaustion on his face, he forces himself to stand erect. He looks around until his eyes rest on the group.
"I have just spoken with Governor Alding, and he has spoken highly of you and your aid to the empire. What is the current report?" He listens carefully to the details.
"Captain Ceyz, you and your men will remain here until your work is completed. Your presence is no longer required in Gumlat, the city has been reclaimed. Unfortunately the 50 sent several weeks ago were all slain. Ambushed in the pass to Gumlat by demons."
"I must return to Coran momentarily. As for you five, how may the Tower serve you this day?"
I personally ask for nothing First Councilor but it does appear that we have a collusion of dark elves at the top who want to carve a piece of the kingdom for themselves. Rewards are freely given when one think one is deserving she says with a smile
Cindy speaks up. This action has been both dangerous and expensive for us Master Veray so we would be pleased to accept any reward the Tower sees fitting based on our level of success here. Know that anything you provide will be used to strengthen us, your agents, for any possible future needs. I would ask two other things if you feel indulgent. The first is that I have tried to work closely with your own agents in the past, building trust with them. I felt like I has made some progress but then there was a change of personnel and your new agents seemed both less trusting and less interested in an alliance. I would ask that you speak to them on our behalf expressing your desire that an alliance between the tower and merchant agents be strengthened. Second I ask that a few spare scrolls of magical incantations be spared for me to learn from. I am a student of the arcane, but working as an agent of the merchants I have had little chance to learn new spells.
"I will indeed let them know of your service to the empire, and to work with you in solving any problems the merchants guild needs assistance with."
"As for some spare scrolls, we can do better then that. When you return to Coran, make an appointment at the Tower and we will see that you have a day to peruse through our library to select additional spells from."
"For those in your company who are not of the arcane arts, I can arrange for the tower to place enchantments upon an item of your choosing. You will need to arrange for the funding of it, but we can complete the item in a much shorted time span than it normally takes."
With the drow business taken care of, the group heads back to Akleta. Governor Alding provides the promised reward on behalf of Akleta and the empire.
As a representative from the merchant's guild Cindy would be remiss if she did not try to make some small profit by carrying trade goods in demand in Akleta from the north. She recommends the group pool some funds to invest and asks for Cormick's help in identifying a commodity and negotiating a purchase.
As a master merchant, Issa agreed with Cindy for investing their money together.
I have not much left, as most of my wealth is invested in diamond powder, but I will be more than happy to share it with you.
May be could we sell the weapons and magical trinkets we found on the drow to replenish our founds ? I have my ways with merchants if needed and I can help Cormick in his deals.
"Let me see what I can find to take back with us. My families interests should be of use here in Akleta."
Cormick gathers up what valuables the groups is contributing to the investment and then purchases the local wares and goods for the best deals he can.
- Issa - 100gp
- Cormick - 150gp
The governor sighs, "Whatever foul plans the demon had, it appears its claws were involved in many machinations."
"Will you again lend your aid to the government, and help us root out this additional threat? In return I see to it that your organization receives more favorable dealings here in Akleta than the empire has afforded them in the past. And for each of you personally another stipend from the treasury."
[dice=Bluff (Diplomacy), Silver Tongue]1d20+23[/dice]
[dice=Bluff (Diplomacy), Honeyed Tongue, Silver Tongue]1d20+23[/dice]
While some plans are made are laid out for a return trip Miss Nasha suggests, "With the short war in Gumlat, may I recommend furs? The area around Gumlat is likely to have a shortage of wild beasts for the hunters and trappers there. I'd anticipate a rise in the value of pelts in the area for a time. That's going to be a bit bulkier than the spices you brought north with you... it may be worth your time to invest in a few wagons."
Travel back to Coran is uneventful, and the group adds their wagon to the line of wagons that Aima is leading back to the capitol.
Upon arriving a messenger from the guild asks you to come to the hall at your earliest convenience.
Cormick has the trade goods they brought, delivered to the Egerton Import & Export House, so the sales can be expedited via family contacts and interests.
He meets up with his fellow associates at the guild house at the appointed time, and distributes promissory notes to each member, from the Egerton Import & Export House for 320gp, payable to the bearer, with a expiration date of 90 days from signatory date.
Raseb welcomes you back and does a little small talk about the journey to Akleta and the recovery off Miss Ashin's lost shipment. "Mr. di Alkanov left something for you." Raseb hands over a voucher, detailing the profits made off the additional ship that was added to the fleet, and your share in the profits.
"We have a new assignment for you. You remember Mr. Jumai? The glass merchant that the thieve's threatened. We've had a pretty heavy guard around his home and shop, and we'd like to pull back on that at this point. We fear though that the group that threatened him may think this an opportunity to cause he or his family some harm. So rather covertly, we'd like you to keep an eye on he and his family for a short duration - handle anything that may crop up and deal with it appropriately."
Sure thing. How long do you want us to go and babysit him ?
Thieves are not good for business. You can count on me for this task, protecting merchants is a sacred duty.
Issa turned to Aerin and added
I can ask my God, for this week, if needed.
Cindy considers for a moment before responding. Of course we will do this, but I want you to understand that we are at a disadvantage. We have been out of the city and have no intel of the thieves group or other activities that might relate to them. They now have a strong home field advantage and we could use your help evening that up a little. When we were last here we left a thieves guild prisoner with the wizard's tower. Might we be able to consult with them to learn what the prisoner's fate was, and what intel they have on the thieves? Perhaps they might even want to work with us to set a trap for the thieves... Also I want to make sure everyone knows that when we last tangled I was at least somewhat responsible for one of the thieves guild death and the capture of another. They have been looking for me since and could even be tracking my movements even now.
Is there a reason Mr Jumai needs to stay at home? I think he might be much safer if the thieves guild doesn't know where to find him.
Yes, someone will need to catch me up on the who, what, where and whys of Mr Jumai. I like to be informed of the situation before hand so I can prepare."