The darkness is pervasive. First, as the torch is extinguished and then it seems to close in as the cloth snugs itself around your eyes. Slowly at first, the darkness is replaced by the sense of heat. The torch, once put out, can still be felt as it cools. Then the bodies. Each near you a source of heat, felt, and almost seen. Soon movement, heard and felt. Forward. You can sense the guards parting and soon the shimmering movement of a community. a few bodies at first and then more as you walk further into this community. Though the path winds at times, it stays level and seems to be always moving down. In time you can pick out the bodies nearest you, taking a guess at who is who. At the least it is clear that the smaller humanoids, Daggerless' people have a similar warmth - unlike that of Aak who stands out hot, almost like an ember.
Iron Sprocket remains calm as the group travels through this community, knowing the sooner they make it through here, the sooner he will be able to remove this cloth from around his face and finally regain his sense of sight.
Jenya is startled as her senses change to detect heat This would.. be incredibly useful for the dome. Especially if the elementals.. what? Hold on a second. There is something wrong with Rheynold. He doesn't seem... human? Rheynold. What are you?
Just as the number of individuals increases you begin to hear voices in a language that you do not understand. At some point Daggerless speaks up.
"They are amazed. Not in hundreds of years have so many outsiders been seen."
Daggerless... do all your people sense heat? Jenya asks.
Tamayra notices the strange ability granted by the blindfold, puzzled by the difference in Reynold's....presence. As Jenya questions the same fact, she remains silent, listening for the response.
A slight chuckle stirs from Daggerless. As he begins to answer you notice the number of people begins to thin. Fewer and fewer are sensed. With the thinning crown it becomes clear that the cloth grants this new sense in a limited range.
"No. My people can see in the darkness."
"What are you talking about. Am I not as human as you or Tamayra are? It's true we're all no longer the same humans as our ancestors after being forced underground, but why would you insult me like this, especially now?"
Because Jenya says Your heat is not the same as human heat. Or even Aak's heat. Your words do not explain that.
"Well, before we started this journey, I spent much time on an expedition to lands far from the dome. Perhaps this accounts for any discrepencies."
Jenya crosses her arms and narrows her eyes You have lied once before. And now you lie again. What are you? What are you hiding?
Daggerless speaks up.
"I do not understand. What upsets you two? I have learned. Differences mean little. Even less when there is a shared enemy."
"Agreed for now, what we need to do is more important. But understand this Rheynold......if you continue lying to us for whatever reason, there will be a reckoning of some sort." Tamayra says looking at Rheynold.
The number of people continues to thin as the depth of the tunnel becomes even more apparent with the increasing coolness. Daggerless brings another obstacle to your attention.
"Watch your footing. It will get slippery."
Jenya nods. Other than this you have been a stalwart ally and have stood with us through many dangers. So we will speak of this later.
As Rheynold and Jenya tumble to the floor Daggerless carefully stops.
"Don't worry. We'll help you. Just get up slowly. We aren't far now. Though the footing. It's like this ahead. Worse with moss in the deep."
Careful hands help both Rheynold and Jenya to their feet.
Thank you. Jenya is flustered at the uncharacteristic clumsiness. She has a lot on her hands. Let us continue
With everyone back on their feet, the pace slows and the tunnel becomes nearly deserted. Any fleeting sense of others seem to indicate everyone heading back in the direction you have come from.
"We stop here. Feel free to take off your blindfolds. We have lit a torch. I will be leaving you soon. So ask your questions. Another will join. And let us hope Mal'c returns soon."
What direction do we go in? And what will be at the end of it? Jenya asks.
Pointing beyond the torch, toward were the moss seems to be much more prominent, Daggerless speaks.
"That way. Mal'c tells me the path splits. None of my people have seen it."
And you do not know which path leads to the temple?
Shaking his head.
"I don't. Mal'c does. Pointing toward a silhouette that is just barely visible on the path beyond the torch light. And so does he."
Blinking against the light at first, Tamayra studies everything around her as her eyes adjust, focusing on the moss until the silhouette is mentioned, drawing her attention.
"Aak, is this another of your past companions?"
|
Aak looks to the figure. At first he has no clue, but once his eyes focus from the momentary blinding torch light, he sees it is Voz.
Voz, is up ahead. He was a man who taught one of my good friends Silx. Voz, prefers to stay in the shadows, but isn't a threat to us[b]
Aak calmly walks up, and extends a hand towards Voz. He cocks his head to the side, and then turns back to the others.
[b}Voz, these people are good people. The befriended me, even though I was an outsider. We share a common enemy, the damned cult that took away so much from you and I. It seems to be trying to take as much if not more away from them as well. Lend us your skill, in hopes to put an end to the cult.
Aak and Voz shake hands in the torch light. You can see the man has just removed a cloth not unlike the ones Daggerless gave to you. He has slightly pointed ears and a pale grayish complexion. Unlike anyone Rheynold, Tamayra, or Jenya have ever seen.
"Good to see you Aak. Looking toward the group. Well met. I see Mal'c isn't with you. We can forge ahead if you like. He'll catch up I'm sure."
"So what say you? Are you ready to move forward?"
Jenya nods Yes, what can we expect to face?
Looking quietly toward the tunnel he's just come through.
"The vines will the first obstacle. In the deep it is as if they have minds of their own. As for creatures, it is difficult to explain. They are like large vermin."
"Should we expect these vines to be hostile, or just an impediment?"
"Both. Any other concerns before we head out? Looking toward the torch. For now light is fine. But when I suggest putting it out, it will be best to do so." He carefully folds his cloth into his robes.
"I am ready I guess, feel free to lead the way."
Jenya nods to the others ready to proceed as well.
Checking her weapon, Tamayra nods her assent.
Moving forward quickly, Voz often stops to let everyone catch up. He does his best to point out slippery areas. At times everyone still has a tough time keeping their footing and at moments you think you see the vines moving. But as soon as the light shifts to reveal them - they are still.
Reflex saves:
Only Tamayra manages to keep her footing. Everyone else slips, taking damage.
"Watch out." Voz points toward the shadows.
Initiative:
Round One: Jenya now acting.
Perception rolls:
Jenya groans and climbs to her feet and shouts a warning. Some sort of vines. Coming towards us she aims and fires.
As the projectile ricochets back toward the party, Voz shakes his head while covering his ears.
non-lethal damage.
The vine creeps close enough that it's movement is exposed by the torch light. It seems to be moving toward Aak.
Round One: All PCs now acting.
GMPC: Rheynold gets up and readies an attack.
Setting her baronet, Tamayra steps forward, her musket slashing forward bringing the blade to bear.
Jenya hesitates, reloading her gun with powder and shot. Not wanting the ricochet to hurt the team.
With flank provided by Aak, Tamayra manages to slash the creeping vine, though it continues to move. Voz moves quickly from the further ahead in the tunnel to aid in the fight.
Round Two: Jenya (actions done / used?)