Francoix finds that this cellar has been picked clean by those who came before. Not even a fragment of pottery or stray arrowhead can be found.
You recognize it as hooves running along the tunnel floor.
"Bloody hell! Incoming!"
He called pointing towards the direction he thought it was coming from.... and the he moved quickly getting out of the way.
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"There must be a necromancer still in the vicinity," Soraya starts before Francoix's warning has her diving out of the way.
Kalig follows Francoix's lead.
Mia gives the giant porcupine a scratch on the chin and warmly thanks it, Thanks for the help. Before it wanders back off.
At the warning from franconix, Mia closes her eyes and actives her spirit sense ability as she follows the others.
At 1st level, a menhir savant can detect the presence of undead; fey; outsiders; and astral, ethereal, or incorporeal creatures. This ability functions like detect undead, and the druid detects all of these creatures rather than trying to detect one kind.
The porcupine burrows into the wall, which closes seamlessly behind it. Meanwhile, Mia's spirit sense detects no other unusually attuned creatures in the vicinity.
The glow of Francoix's coin and Soraya's dancing lights reveal the source of the approaching hoofbeats, and a small band of centaur warriors emerge from the darkness of the tunnel. They gallop two abreast down the passage originally carved by giants. The ones in front carry spears at the ready, while those behind them have bows in hand. They do not attack, however, and actually seem somewhat at ease once they discover you.
The warband's leader speaks.
As he steps more into the light, you realize that the leader of the warriors is familiar to you: It is Lamos, whose band showed you how to hunt bison when the caravan was still traveling east.
Dorick has his lance ready to counter-charge, then sees Lamos and his band.
Dorick holds his lance up and tries to wave while speaking.
"Hold, Lamos!"
"Your guardians?!" she says in Taldane. Well s!%@.
"It appears, friends, that we have stumbled into a political situation."
"Lamos. Our sincere apologies. We had no idea. We encountered another group of centaurs. They were less than friendly. They said that they would allow our trespass if we dealt with the guardians of this place. We... we're so sorry."
"Soraya, I expect these were their guardians, but what about the cyclopes above?"
She pauses, and another thought occurs to her. "If the other tribe hoped to weaken this tribe to make it easier to attack them, tell them we will stand by Lamos's people. Though hopefully, they will not attack in this rain." Her ears flatten, suddenly concerned about Matilda alone with the weapons cache.
Lamos speaks, and Soraya translates.
These guardians were created by the Sea Cliff tribe's "bone shaman" and tasked with protecting this passage, which leads to the tribe's home along the sea's edge. Bones collected from bison are combined with those of the tribe's fallen warriors to create these creatures to supplement the tribe's dwindling numbers in their defense against the Hill Tribes.
The cyclopean skeletons above also served as protectors, after a fashion. At first, the bravest of the Sea Cliff tribe's warriors would serve as "bone runners" - venturing into the stronghold above to provoke the large skeletons and allow them to give chase, leading them out into the forest to fight encroaching enemies. As the tribe's shaman developed their bone magic, the cyclopes could be controlled somewhat.
Even without Soraya's translation, you can read upon the faces of Lamos and his warriors that the loss of these undead guardians leaves them worried for their tribe's future safety. Frustration, but not necessarily hostility, is also clear in their eyes.
Dorick listens to the translations with growing frustration.
"We have been tricked!", he exclaims!
"We will have to make this right, somehow! Perhaps the Hill Tribes could stand to lose a few of *their* guardians!"
"Bear in mind that, while it does not defend the consequences to the Sea Cliff Tribe, if we had not done if the Hill Tribe asked, they would have attacked our loggers immediately. There were a lot of them, and many helpless laborers to protect. There would have been losses." She frowns. "Or perhaps that is what they are doing as we speak, attacking our workers while only a few guards remain. But perhaps I hope we have bought some time at least--hopefully the storm would keep them away temporarily--and in turn can use this time to plot against the Sea Cliff Tribe. Perhaps we can fool them in return. I suggest I and one or two others return, under guise of injury, while Dorick and the rest stay here to help the Sea Cliff Tribe. We can bring some of the large weapons with us, and say that we were successful in destroying the bone guardians, but half of our number were killed. They will think the Sea Cliff tribe defenseless, charge in and attack, and discover they are not defenseless--and moreover, we can attack them on their flank while they focus on a frontal assault."
She frowns. "Perhaps there are too many things that could go wrong though..."
"Do we want to get involved intentionally in a war between tribes? Don't get me wrong, im righteously pissed off at the other horse folk but uh... Whatever we do speaks for the town we are trying to set up. Think there is any way we can just i dont know trap the tunnel and let them be. Do the Sea cliff folk need this tunnel for anything or is it just access to the lands above?"
He asked already frowning at the duplicity of the hills tribe. He knew they shouldn't have trusted them. He immediately began looking about to see if he couldn't set up some sort of trap
Dorick turns to the others.
"You talk sense. I...wish to expunge our error. I am willing to take part in any plan to rectify this, no matter the risk to myself."
Mia keeps to her thoughts while rumors of war and battle are sparked. After thinking for a bit, she speaks up.
Excuse me.. but.. um.. T-There must be a way to ensure peace. Why is it that you fight one another? She waits for his response before daring to speak further.
Given the recent turn of events, Lamos is a bit reticent and will not share with Soraya the full layout of their tribe's territory. However, he does reveal that this tunnel and the stronghold above is the tribe's best, safest route to reach the plains for their seasonal hunts. The difficult terrain surrounding their home along the sea cliffs, which protects them from attack, also makes it more difficult for hunters to bring back their bounty.
Lamos attributes the current conflict to Vercine, the warlord who has been forcibly uniting the hill and forest tribes of centaurs. The sea cliff tribe refused to submit, and the two sides have been skirmishing ever since - with Vercine's forces, the ones who coerced you into attacking the undead guards, slowly grinding down their foes.
"I know how such warlords work. He will not stop till all submit. Us or centaurs." She frowns. "I am worried about our camp. We have left it mostly unguarded. I am going to return and check on them. I will take Matilda with me unless the weather gives her no solid footing. If I must leave her, Dorick, would you be so kind as to lead her back once you are able?"
Kalig turns to leave for the entrance to the cave.
"Hold up, is there perhaps a way we could speak to the the jerk tribe and perhaps see if we can't mislead them a little. We have a whole tribe of hobgoblins that I would rather have with us, perhaps some of the orcs as well if there is to be a bit of a showdown with this warlord. But i dont want to leave our actual friends here hanging like laundry in the breeze.
He asked the others with a notable frown. What in the hell was he doing at the moment? He must have taken a hit to the brain to be putting so much on the line for others.
"Of course Kalig. And perhaps we should go for the aggressor's camp, put them on the defensive!"
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Before Kalig walks out, she pauses at Francoix's "hold up." She nods at him. "What mislead would you suggest? The rest of the town is a good ways away, so it would need to be something that delayed for several days."
She waits to hear his answer.
Whenever that discussion is finished, she shrugs. "Right now, I want to see if our people are still alive. To me, that dictates whether we talk or fight. If anyone wants to come with me, they are welcome, but I agree our allies here should not be abandoned. I will tell them I left wounded in the tomb, and that we did not go below the main level. Maybe I'll add some truth: that our leyline expert sensed deeply unnatural magic down here."
Once that discussion is finished, she goes back up to the entrance, pats Matilda and says in a good-natured tone, "Keep complaining and next time we'll send you after the giant cyclops skeletons."
If there's any treasure they put out here she can tie to Matilda's pack, she does so, but not if it is too unwieldy for her. Most likely the crown and/or the arrows--this to serve as proof they did the deed, if nothing.
Kalig leads Matilda - laden with the crown, arrows, and morningstar - out of the stronghold and back into the surrounding forest. The rain falls weakly now, but the air remains heavy and humid.
The druid and animal have scarcely traveled out from the ruin's shadow before the hill tribe warriors emerge from trees. They quickly confront Kalig in a semi-circular formation, though without weapons drawn. Their leader barks a question in Sylvan.
Kalig gestures that she does not understand. Slowly, so as she does not alarm them, picks up a sturdy stick off the ground (one too small to serve as a weapon), and draws in the mud:
1. A one eyed skull, with a stick-bone body. She draws five smaller stick figures, representing them around it, then scratches out the skull. She draws two more one-eyed skulls and scratches them out as well. She points to the crown and the morningstar she has tied to Matilda's pack.
2. She then points to one of the stick figures. She mimes a stabbing motion, being wounded.
3. She draws two stick figures tending to two more prone stick figures. She then points to herself and then in the direction of camp, hopefully indicating that she has gone to get help.
with the general consensus seeming to consider a peaceful solution not an option, Mia retreats to her thoughts. After a lot of thinking, she comes forward to the others again.
I... I have been thinking.. It is true that in nature, the strong thrive. Might makes right usually... even the flora follow that. However... It does not always have to end in violence and death. Often times, proving your strength, or, in many cases, merely presenting yourself as strong or threatening can ward off danger. Perhaps... Perhaps if... if we are too keep our allies, we could offer them sanctuary with our town, and put on a show of strength enough that this would be warlord would leave us be. At least for a time if not indefinitely. If nothing else, it could... um.. well it could buy us time to prepare.
The centaur warriors seem to understand Kalig's drawings in the mud. However, it does nothing to soften their demeanor. Three of the centaurs draw javelins from hide quivers alongside their equine flanks, while two of the others raise their spears.
After trying snippets of a few languages, the band's leader speaks to Kalig in broken but imperious Hallit.
.....
Back in the cellar beneath the ruins, Lamos contemplates what is translated and presented to him. His companions are on edge, keeping their eyes trained upon the ramp leading upward, expecting enemy warriors to come barreling down at any moment.
"Battle is not an appealing path," he states, as translated from Sylvan. "Your people and ours would be caught between two enemies: the hill tribe and the gnolls to the south. I worry those raiders are pressing across the river more and more."
While watching them respond and play with languages, Kalig observes them -- do they look like they have been in battle? If they attacked the camp, the guards would have put up a fight, even if fruitlessly. If not signs of injury, then lower-than usual supplies of arrows or javelins, etc., or simply weariness.
Kalig sighs, and agrees in Hallit. "Fine. But if my friends suffer for lack of medicine, I will have the nature spirits curse you. Kill me, and I will haunt you in my death myself."
She returns, leading them to the cave, and as she enters, she begins shouting very loudly in Common, "Soraya! Dorick! The HILL TRIBE would like to check on our progress. Where have you left our patient?"
She slowly heads toward the large room where they fought the skeleton king.
He leaned heavily on the others and made sure his breath came out in gasps. he reached down and collected a bit of his blood from his magically healed wounds and did what he could to smear it a on lips a bit to look hurt worse than he was.
Soraya directs their centaur allies to hold back while she heads off to meet Kalig. She lets Francoix use her as a crutch as she helps walk him out.
Kalig leads the hill centaurs down the dusty hallway and into the side chamber housing the ramp to the cellar. Soraya, helping the "limping" Francoix along, emerges from below. The centaur warriors tense as the two appear, but the baker's ruse seems to work. The sight of the "wounded" man puts them at ease, and they slacken the hold on their weapons.
Kalig greets Soraya, looking over Francoix with concern. "They were right outside, waiting. Though I can tell at least they have not been fighting so our people are probably safe. All I told them was that we had wounded, and that we defeated the cyclops skeletons. I haven't mentioned the lower level. I remember you spoke with them better."
Mia remians silent and out of sight for the time being.
Dorick grits his teeth.
"All I seek is the opportunity to smash them down.", he utters, his blood up.
Mia rests a hand on Doricks shoulder, assuming he didn't go to meet the others,
I...if it must come to that, so be it, however.... please consider what I suggested, it may save many lives on both sides of this dispute... If things spiral here, and you have to tell the Lord our actions caused a war... Mia trails off, trembling slightly at the thought of the repercussions of what could come from such a war.
Soraya nods as she "helps" Francoix to a comfortable position. "Of course." Switching to (whatever language they spoke! Having a senior moment), she says to the centaurs, "As you can see, we've taken care of this creature, and several others. Any idea who would use such foul magic to raise these cyclopes from the dead?"
The leader of the Hill Tribe warriors speaks through Soraya's translation.
"These cyclopes skeletons have always been here, but they obey the magic of a rogue tribe's shamans. They've turned from the traditional ways and adopted dark magic, creating undead to fight their battles."
"I understand. Which is the only reason I have not spurred Caragus on to ride down the wretches."
The hill warriors maintain some semblance of honor: since the party completed its appointed task, the centaurs show no intent to betray you and attack while seemingly wounded.
"Hopefully, we can be allies," the hill tribe warband's leader says, courtesy of Soraya's translation. "But beware the wicked sea cliff tribe. Do not aid them, lest a terrible curse fall upon you."
It remains to be seen whether this warned "curse" is an actual act of magic or merely a threat of reprisal from the hill tribe.
"It would be best for you to depart this place," the warband leader advises. "You may return to your people now."
sir.. sir Dorick, I have an idea, we should ask them to help escort wounded back to our camp. Even if all of them don't come I... um..., I doubt they would try anything with... um.. fewer numbers. You.. you could make it out to be a gesture for um... future cooperation between our. Um. Peoples. You could um... even perhaps offer them an uh... audience... with the lord. Mia hesitantly whispers to Dorick, after hearing they were told to leave.
Dorick shakes his head.
"I would Mia, but I cannot speak their tongue."
I.. I think I can, but I... I am not good with words...
She pauses before taking a deep breath, and moving to the others. She pauses again for a moment when the centaurs catch sight of her and gives a curt bow before moving to Soraya. She pauses hesitantly before whispering her idea to her, requesting that she make the request to them.
Soraya translates Mia's request. "Would you be able to aid us in getting our wounded back to camp?"
Your request is initially met with hesitance, but the warband leader soon acquiesces.
He agrees to dispatch two of his warriors to escort your wounded back to camp.
Kalig is at a loss. She feels betrayed by the Hill Centaurs, but they have a point about the Cliff Tribe messing around with necromancy--even if they have good intentions, that sort of magic can go wrong horribly. She is sure the camp is safe and that is her main priority. It might be best, in her mind, to let them slaughter each other and then they'd have to deal with neither of them.
"Do we say anything about below? I've said nothing about it. We could tell them Mia feared something unnatural there--the truth--and tampering with whatever's down there would be a bad idea."
Mia turns to Kalig and gives a quick nod.
I... I think it should be fine. I... I think we should go now though. We... We should speak with Aristide and the others, I.. She trails off while absentmindedly twisting her hair.
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The Hill Centaur warband allows the rest of the party to emerge from below without offering any objection or interference. However, you suspect a glint of envy in their eyes as they watch you pack up the rest of your spoils from defeating the cyclopean undead.
The leader takes the rest of his warband eastward, while leaving the two promised warriors to escort you back home. As you march out from the pine forest, you find the rain storm has slowed to a trickle - and it finally comes to an end as you march along the open grassland again. The ground is very sodden, but the thick grasses keep the animal's hooves from sinking into mud. Your escorts remain taciturn, offering no conversation and only brief, curt replies if posed any questions.
By afternoon, with the clouds casting the sky in a vivid golden light in the wake of the storm, your new home comes into view. No smoke curls into the sky, and no fires dance against the backdrop of the great river, proving that the settlement has endured another day in your absence. Your centaur escorts turn to make their own return home, offering only wordless nods in place of true farewells before breaking into a gallop northward.
Closing the rest of the distance home, you find settlers emerging from their shelters to check on supplies and dry out anything that got too damp. Your return, just like the end of the storm, brings looks of relief upon their faces.