Thinking the idea of scaling down an unknown tunnel to still lower depths is a bad idea the shadowy man shakes his head, "The worms are a known danger now. We can use this knowledge to our advantage. I say we make for the stairs."
"We learn that we can't hide in shadows from worm-sight." Brok answers the fetchling.
"Climb down tunnel seems safer than finding a new definition of pain and suffering, as we are slowly digested over a thousand years...." Brok continues.
If anyone looks surprised at this speech, he will tell them "classical reference...."
"Climb down tunnel seems safer than finding a new definition of pain and suffering, as we are slowly digested over a thousand years...." Brok continues.
If anyone looks surprised at this speech, he will tell them "classical reference...."
Grezzor nods in approval of the Sarlacc reference.
"Goblin, everything shorter." Arlok smiles.
"I do not like the idea of leaving enemies behind us, but I do not think we have a better option at the moment." Grey conceded.
After deciding not to risk fighting the darkness-cloaked skeletons you all decide to descend further into Rappan Athuk...
The tunnel heading down is very steep, but not a problem for Brok who is able to shimmy down without any issues. Seeing the tunnel ending in what looks to be a large cavern empty of threats it is easy enough to rig enough ropes for the rest of you to climb down. The undead minions have a little more trouble getting down, with the large skeletal minions nearly getting stuck a couple of times, but eventually you all assemble at the end of the tunnel.
The tunnel opens up into a large dank cavern with several large piles of rubble in the center of the cavern. Multiple tunnels exit the cavern, smaller than what look comfortable for the human sized among you, about 3 to 5 feet in diameter.
Of note is a corpse of a large humanoid creature splayed out in one of the far tunnels, a set of chains wrapped around its wrists. Pieces of a shattered mirror lies near the center of the cavern not far from the corpse.
Brok puts a finger to his lips, then creeps out into the room to examine the chained corpse.
Slipping out of the narrow tunnel the shadowy man scowls at the splayed corpse and chains, "Wonderful." Despite his misgivings however the fetchling does not neglect his duties and promptly sets to work examining the room for anything suspicious.
A quick appraisal shows the corpse is that of an ogre, and has not been dead very long. The corpse has quite obviously been stripped of all valuables (and even clothing). The mirror looks like it was leaned against the wall at some point but was broken, judging by the pattern of glass shards around it.
As Keil continues his examination his sharp ears picks up sounds of a faint murmuring echoing down one of the tunnels. The sounds are hard to locate but one thing is for sure....they are getting louder...
Brok puts a finger to his lips to gesture for silence.
Then he hides.
Grezzor stays motionless at the back of the group.
Arlok will be up with the scouts. He doesn't provide much help in noticing things but he can sneak along with them and help if they get surprised or ambushed.
Signalling the others that something may be coming, the shadowy man takes up a position along one of the tunnel walls. Pressing his dark form against the wall the fetchling continues to listen hard.
Grey stayed with Grezzor, keeping far enough back that he didn't need to worry about keeping silent.
As you all take up positions around the cavern out of sight you wait for whatever may be approaching...it does not take long to determine the voices are getting louder. Soon emerging from one of the narrow tunnels on the far side of the cavern are a pair of humans engrossed in conversation. While their words are too soft to overhear, the fetchling does not the priestly garments both are wearing...not to mention the symbol displayed prominently by both, the symbol of the Goat Prince.
So far they have not noticed you, but you figure it is only a matter of time...
Brok shoots the priest on the left with his shortbow.
(favored enemy, deadly aim, pbs)
From the corner of his eye, Keil watches his goblin companion raise his bow. Cursing under his breath the shadowy man quietly slips into the shadows drawing his sword as he goes. Keil allows perhaps a heart beat to pass from the time Brok's arrow strikes til the time he plunges his sword into the back of other priest.
"Arlok smash Goat priest."
As the other two initiate their attack Arlok charges out from the shadows with his great club.
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Seeing his larger companion charge out and attempt to disembowel one of the priests, Varg follows by charging toward the other, attempting to grapple the other priest before he is able to call on the Goat Prince's magic.
Charge (move up to 30') and Grapple: <-- flatfooted CMD (no dex, dodge, etc)
--> going after the less damaged priest
Grey chuckled behind his mask. His companions were nothing if not direct. He followed Arlok
Hurriedly you get into position to spring your ambush...which is devastatingly effective. The two priests never stood a chance as first Brok's arrow finds its mark, then Keil's blade, finally Arlok's club proving the final blow.
"Keep goat priest alive to ask where oracle is."
"Then kill later."
Brok suggests flatly.
Groaning at the sudden over zealousness of the attack and now the resulting need to conduct some sort of healing, Keil cleans his sword upon the robes of the one least injured. Muttering to himself, "Kill it, don't kill it, wah, wah!" he sheaths his weapon the fetchling kneels over the body and applies pressure to the priest's wounds. It is a spiritless attempt but better than nothing. Besides, he needs only stop the bleeding long enough for someone with healing skill arrives, "Goblin, fetch the witch." As he waits, blood oozing undering his hand, the shadowy man relieves the priest of his holy symbol and anything else of value.
Arlok nods. "Meat stay fresher alive too."
"The witch is fetched." Grey said in his low rumble as he approached the prisoner and staunched the bleeding expertly.
Then he manacled the goat priest's hands and held a small vial beneath the priest's nose.
Praetor manages to drag the Goat priest back to consciousness, and the man repays the favor by glaring at the lot of you with a look of hatred in his eyes.
Arlok leans in over the man.
"Smelly goat priest. You tell Arlok where Oracle is? You tell Arlok kill you before eating. You no tell Arlok just start eating. Arlok like fingers best so Arlok start there."
He grabs the mans hand and pulls it up to his maw.
The priest, still groggy after the application of the smelling salts, nearly passes out again from the pain caused by the godlings rough handling.
"Uhhhgggg...whaaaa....Oracle? By the Supreme One, what the Hells are you talking about?"
"Save me a pinky finger Arlok"
Grey stood back and watched. He did not care what the goat priest had to say.
Instead he approached the ghoul trailing behind them. "Tell me your thoughts, Ranulfus. Do you feel you have been treated well? Have you had enough to eat?"
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Varg looks over at Brok as Arlok begins to consume parts of the priest.
Looks like the big man is giving this priest the easy way out. I hear that the Grey Witch can break every bone in a man's body while leaving him alive. I bet that would hurt a lot more.
Varg makes sure that this is said loud enough that the priest can hear him.
Ranulfus stares a long while first at the priest, a look of fear mixed with a look of hunger in its eyes, before turning to face the witchdoctor. "Yeessss...I am treated wellll...I ammm...hungrrryyyy....soooo verrry hungrrryyyyy..."
Arlok shrugs.
"What nother word for Oracle?"
He looks back to the priest. And says it louder and slower.
"Oracle. Like you. Worship dumb smelly goat. See things. Things in head. Tell things that may happen."
He then lets go of the mans hand.
"Arlok decide no eat you. Let dead thing eat you. You come back as dead thing. Then you tell Grey stuff."
He nods not knowing if that is how any of the necromancy really works but thinks he has a good plan.
"Pinky first?" Brok asks, not wanting to miss out on a snack.
Smirking, Keil rises. They understand now. Rather than add to the torrent of threats hovering over the revived priest, there is no point in over doing it, the shadowy man lets the group continue unhindered. Slipping quietly to the side, Keil moves to investigate the nearest passage.
"Are you ever not hungry? What does it take for you to not feel that hunger?" Grey asked Ranulfus, ignoring the interrogation.
Ranulfus stares at the witchdoctor with an uncomprehending look on its face, "I do not...underssstand...are you not alwayyyyssss hungry? Feeding only ssssates it for a timmmmeeee."
Keil follows the passageway down a short distance and sees it opening up to a narrow worked corridor. One branch turns east for a short distance before angling off to the southwest, whilst the other branch heads north briefly before ending at a blank wall. Closer examination reveals a secret door therein.
"I am hungry when I have not eaten in some time. I can ignore it for as long as a day if I have to. You do not remember that from when you were alive?" Grey said politely.
He walked over to the dead goat priest and dragged the body over to Ranulfus. "Here. Eat your fill."
Secret doors are secret for a reason, and investigating them alone is a dangerous habit. With his body still feeling ragged from the worm attack, the fetchling decides to check his 'six'. He quietly proceeds down the hall to see what may yet come.
The two priest bodies were equipped quite well, though rather utilitarian. Each corpse is wearing a suit of chainmail and a light steel shield, along with a heavy mace. On a padded pouch is several vials of unholy water and several flasks of oil -- making six total --along with flint and steel. Finally each one carries an iron unholy symbol of Orcus. No coins are found.
Keil sees the corridor opens up into another large chamber, oddly shaped with a pair of piles of dirt and rubble. On the opposite side of the room is a single door which appears to be the only exit.
Arlok looks to Grey.
"So you make priest dead and serve? Make talk like that one." Pointing to the ghoul.
"Not like dumb zombie."
"No." Grey said. "Ranulfus still is who he was in life, more or less. So would the goat priest if I had Ranulfus bite him and we waited for the priest to become a ghoul."
"Ranulfus I have hope for. He is seeing who we are and is learning that there is an alternative to the cycle of hunger and starvation. Right now he serves by force, for mutual protection. In time I hope to be able to release him from forced servitude. "
"A goat priest ghoul would still be a goat priest. We could never trust him. He is better off being fed to Ranulfus."
Giving up on Arlok getting him a finger to snack on, Brok joins Keil in the room at the end of the tunnel.
He looks around and checks for signs of passage through the room.
(+2 for traps)
"So dead thing still have will of own? Arlok thought Grey in control. Arlok not understand dead thing magic." He then looks down to the priest.
"So you not serve. Arlok just make you dead. Anyone want talk before Arlok kill?"
He waits a moment to make sure the group is done trying to get info here.