"This sounds a most curious organism, and the idea that if it feeds on heat then cold might, er, starve it seems sound? Alas, I've, er, yet to master that trick with my bombs, though the formulae suggest that...um, perhaps we should indeed simply move on?"
Very interesting.... I was under the impression that bombs only give out quite a bit of energy... not the other way around.. I would quite like to see that Anody says to Criek. This mold is quite dangerous and it would be a service to get rid of it and give that poor corpse a proper burial of course.... but for now, yes let us get on and find the good wizard
Criek's eyes gleam at Anody's interest, "Oh, well, yes -- quite a bit of energy indeed! But the skilled practitioner has techniques for shaping and molding that energy in a variety of wondrous ways, you see? And my, er, admittedly basic skill only extends to the most accessible of energies -- the flame that any cook or housekeeper might kindle by other means? With study, the right formulae, the right reactants, the right technique, I should be able to reverse the reaction properly to negate heat rather than create it..." trailing off self-consciously for a moment... "but my studies of course rely on a tutor, which was Khonnir, which, yes, let's do move on, and we can discuss this once we are all safely aboveground once more."
"Let's save the possible uses of the mold for another day.
AS we need to continue looking for those down here."
Moving down the south eastern cavern you enter a large cavern, stretching out over 130 feet, and rising to a height of 30 feet. Along the western edge of the cavern is a five foot ledge sloping 10 feet to to the cavern floor. pls see map
Four ramshackle huts are on the floor of the cavern, made of metal and a fibrous plant material. To the south yawns a dark pit.
No one is in evidence. Actions?
As she moves behind Ardash, Sharae notices her footsteps become more echoing as if a large cavern is ahead…consequently she isn’t overly surprised when they move into the almost cathedral-like space of the cave. Catching her balance before she slips down the ledge, she instinctively lowers her starknife…dimming the illumination and making the group’s presence slightly less obvious to anyone / anything who maybe hiding unseen within the cave.
Whispering to Ardash, ”Do you see anything? Those huts… Could anything be living in there?”
Anody peers into the cavern as closely as he can from his current position at the mouth.
"I'm betting this was the base camp for the search party..."
Ardash also notices as the party's footfalls resonate as the passage opens up into the large cavern. He attempts to move quietly as he peers out over the great distance.
"It is odd that the huts contain both organic and inorganic material. It could be a makeshift camp for those seeking the missing citizens, but they also may belong to intelligent life indigenous to the cavern. Be on your guard."
Ardash begins to make his way south along the ledge, sloping downwards to the cavern floor. He has an arrow knocked to his shortbow.
That is certainly a possibility Ayla. It could also be the base of the criminals who killed that poor young girl. Or whoever was controlled that wretched blindheim. I would hope that we find someone not hostile who could possibly tell us where Khonnair Baine went
Criek steps into the cavern behind Sharae, shielding his eyes against her light as he peers curiously at the structures.
Wincing at the Professor and Ayla chatting away, Sharae looks back at them…and with eyebrows arched, placed a finger over her mouth…
…Shhhh…
From her crouched position, she watches Ardash move into the cavern…and makes a silent prayer to Desna…
…Song of Spheres, if you can hear me down here…smile upon our journey and send us a friend…
"I should think the only intelligent life we'd find down here to be dwarves. One should think we would have detected the smell of stale beer by this point, however."
"There are likely other things that live in the dark that you would not want to meet, Dwarves are one of the best options, I might add" Ayla adds to Valia's words.
That is certainly a possibility Ayla. It could also be the base of the criminals who killed that poor young girl. Or whoever was controlled that wretched blindheim. I would hope that we find someone not hostile who could possibly tell us where Khonnair Baine went
"I have to agree it would be easier if we have someone tell us or give us a clue to where he is."
Suddenly, simply fading into view, a grey skinned individual appears in the center of the cavern, near the huts, staring at you.
She seems to be waiting for you. Impatiently. She is tapping her foot and her arms are folded.
"Well, that's...curious," muses Criek softly. "The far wall of the cave? It appears to be metal, rather than the rock--eep!" the last as the woman appears.
He takes a step back, startled, attempting to shrink into the wall behind him.
Seeing Criek’s response to the sudden appearance of the grey-skinned woman, Sharae tenses…
Why’s he so scared? Has he met these folk before?
Starknife still in hand, but lowered so as not to appear threatening, Sharae waits upon the reaction of her other friends…
Ardash is surprised by the abrupt appearance of the figure, almost to the point of firing. Fortunately, he restrains himself, and after recovering from his initial surprise, determines her disposition to be initially non-threatening.
"By your demeanor, am I to assume you were expecting us?" He asks, maintaining his position on the sloping earthen shelf, still unsure of what to make of the creature.
Hail Lady Anody speaks and moves a bit down the slope. My friends and I are looking for a certain person who we think came this way. Could we perhaps ask you about this place?
perhaps. Come down here and I will take you to our leader. She wishes to speak to you.
Standing his ground, Ardash is unsure whether to trust the woman.
"Who is your leader? How does she know we were traversing these tunnels? I will come no further until I am certain you are not a threat to my companions."
Well, at least she hasn’t attacked us on sight…but, is she to be trusted?
Raising from her crouched position but keeping her Starknife lowered, Sharae moves alongside Ardash and nods courteously at the grey-skinned lady…
Anody satisfied that there is someone at least who isn't attacking on sight moves down to stand behind Ardash and Sharae. Hrm, let's go and make some friends. Would be nice for a change.
Remaining with his back to the wall, Criek murmurs anxiously to Valia, next to him -- "I don't like this -- the way she just appeared? How many more of them might be hiding in here?"
Cannot be too sure, just keep your head my hairy friend.
She looks at the android and says, I am not going to carry on a yelling negotiation. Either come down and speak to my leader or don't. But you will regret if you don't. Me I really don't care, except this is wasting time.
Unable to discern the honesty or otherwise of the strange woman, Sharae looks to the Professor, Well, he seems upbeat and optimistic….yes, let’s try and make some friends
Walking down to the floor of the cavern, Sharae smiles, ”Forgive our lack of friendliness…everything that lives or moves down here has, so far, attacked us on sight…so, you’ll see why we might be a little reticent…I’m Sharae by the way…Why doesn’t your leader come to us? Would that not be easier?”
Ardash remains wary, looking to the other members of the group to gauge their reactions before moving down to join Sharae on the cavern floor.
He keeps an arrow knocked, but the bowstring remains slack.
Anody comes along in his customary trot and agrees with Sharae Yes, not only that but we've seen two dead bodies so far. These caves seem like they are not kind to the unprepared. My name is Anody, Anody Gearon. Pleased to make your acquaintance
Valia glides stylishly along behind them
Peeling himself away from the wall, Criek sticks close by Valia's side, continuing to glance around anxiously for threats--but also eager to get a closer look at the metallic wall on the far side of the cavern.
When the party descends, the skulk nods at you and turns and starts walking.Assuming you follow, you enter a northerly tunnel, and a short walk later you enter a cave with another hut.
Map is updated. as always adjust if you wish.
Please make perception rolls.
Sharae walks alongside or just behind the grey-skinned woman , her Starknife secured against her belt...still glowing coldly and ready if things turn bad.
"So, you live here in these caves?
She's not much of a talker...hopefully her leader will be more communicative...and maybe we will start to get some answers...
Pondering on the oddity of the metal wall--and tied up in a bundle of nerves--Criek walks along obliviously to much else.
Ardash was not ready to go along with the woman, but since the rest of the group seemed to be going along, he reluctantly followed. Like Criek, he was also intrigued by the metal wall.
I shall have to return to inspect that in more detail.
Temporaily distracted by the wall, Ardash failed to notice anything else of note pertaining to the current situation.
Valia keeps a close eye on Criek, his friend.
He makes his best effort to model exemplary posture, in order to be a good role model to his young friends.
If they live so far below the earth, I wonder what their attitude towards light might be. Are their gardens miasmal fungi, or have they bioluminescents like the dark glades of home? Surely they have gardens?
Valia pouts as he considers this.
More importantly, all good races make good beer. If they turn out to be evil, it may become necessary to introduce an element of Cayden Cailean into the cultural mix. Lil booze, little party, brighten this place up with some glowing moss, and we're set.
So would you know anything of the strange things that we have encountered so far? There were some quite vicious beetles. A blindheim that really should not have been nearly as aggressive as it was, caused some of us to be blinded for an hour!, and two dead bodies, one which we've identified and another that was stick in the middle of some freezing brown moss... quite busy and full of incident... Anody jabbers away at the strange lady.
Suddenly Anody remembers that he has been finding out a fair bit about the local lore from his new friends in Torch. His nerves have been causing him to fall back on his more academic stores of knowledge.
.. but as far as he's concerned the strange lady is just that, probably some human that's spent too much time underground.
The skulk looks at the wordy gnome and says you speak to much. Only fools jabber. Cultivate silence. She ignores Sharee.
When you arrive another skulk seems to step out of nowhere in front of you.
upworlders. I am Sef. You have trespassed into our home. Why are you here? If your purpose is peaceful it may be we can have business together. If it is violence you will all die, here.
She stands, waiting for your reply.
Oh, Ah, er, of course.. ahem Anody trails off into silence after the admonishment from their guide.
He speaks up again after they are introduced.
No, no violence Sef. Please. We have come into your area in search of Khonnair Baine. He has come this way a few times I believe, but he has not returned from his last trip and the town up top has started to grow concerned.
After deducing the creatures to be non-violent, finally Ardash relaxes somewhat. "Yes, we come in peace and we mean you no harm. As my companion has stated, we are searching for a missing professor from Torch, above. Have you seen him?"
Ardash gives Khonnir's physical description to Sef.
"Y-yes, milady -- please, we just want to find Khonnir and we will leave you in peace," squeaks Criek. ...Though I wonder if they wouldn't mind us inspecting the metal wall, too? That couldn't harm anyone, right?
Keeping the atmosphere as neutral as possible, Sharae casts Light on her Holy Symbol and, with the light extinguished on her Starknife, she holsters it beneath her cloak...
...as for words, she utters none, preferring to let the Professor take the lead with the diplomatic negotiations.