Sorua suddenly bolts upright from his curled position, and snuffles expectantly around Tess's hair and neck. Sure enough, the girl stirs, groaning slightly as her bruises resent her movement. She sits up slowly, and hugs the fox kit in her lap. "I'm sorry, little one. I didn't mean to frighten you," she whispers soothingly.
A character with 0 hit points, or one who has negative hit points but has become stable and conscious, is disabled. A disabled character may take a single move action or standard action each round (but not both, nor can he take full-round actions, but he can still take swift, immediate, and free actions). He moves at half speed. Taking move actions doesn't risk further injury, but performing any standard action (or any other action the GM deems strenuous, including some free actions such as casting a Quicken Spell spell) deals 1 point of damage after the completion of the act. Unless the action increased the disabled character's hit points, he is now in negative hit points and dying.
A disabled character with negative hit points recovers hit points naturally if he is being helped. Otherwise, each day he can attempt a DC 10 Constitution check after resting for 8 hours, to begin recovering hit points naturally. The character takes a penalty on this roll equal to his negative hit point total. Failing this check causes the character to lose 1 hit point, but this does not cause the character to become unconscious. Once a character makes this check, he continues to heal naturally and is no longer in danger of losing hit points naturally.
Tess begins to get her bearings and begins the arduous process of getting to her feet."Wh...what happened?..." she trails off, looking up at Anevia. She glances around, craning her neck to see behind Gwerm and Aravashnial. Her voice is slow, careful, as though each word takes a much longer trip from brain to tongue than normally. "Where are... the others?... Are they okay?"
As the woman describes what she has heard from the other down the corridor, Tess's already pale cheek seems to lose all color entirely. "Oh dear," she murmurs faintly, and begins to move in the indicated direction, clutching the wall for support on her wobbly legs. Please be okay, surely they'll be alright...
Tess breathes a sigh of relief as she sees Pollux, Ce-Eshna, and Karthak seemingly unharmed. "Was I not... entertaining enough? You had to... go and find more trouble?" She giggles weakly. Taking a few shallow breaths, she sits down near the remnants of the fire pit. "What all happened here?"
Tess examines the items slowly- I feel like I'm moving through molasses, she thinks faintly.
At long last, she sets aside the scrolls. "I'm afraid... I don't know what to make of these.... perhaps Sir Aravashnial will be of more help, but..." She trails off, remembering his damaged eyes with a wince. "In any case, we have another healing potion... and one which grants limited invisibility..." The girl places them precisely in front of her, eyeing the healing potion covetously.
Jokum groans and begins to stir not long after Tess arrives. "červy, žvýkat mi...zatraceně trpaslík oslepil mě...teď umřu tady a bude to nejspíš kvůli nějaké hlouposti..." Then he blinks his eyes, rapidly, though still lying on the ground. "Wait...ugh...my vision's...clearing. Gods..." He hauls himself upright slowly, with a groan. "That's what I get for attempting mercy, I suppose," he says as he limps over to the fallen dwarf and glowers down at the body. "We should get bindings on this one before he rouses and tries anything else."
Suddenly he notices that Tess is up and about. Crossing to her quickly, he squats beside her and places a hand on her cheek. "Are you well? You shouldn't be moving about too much right after such an injury..." As he looks up, he sees Xaivan down, across the room, and curses under his breath. "Will he be well?" Seeing Pollux's nod, Jokum breathes a slight sigh of relief.
Pulling himself upright, he turns to the others. "I did not think we should have pressed on before, now I know we should not have. Two of our number have been grievously wounded. I want to reach the surface as much as anyone, but we need to stop. We. Need. To. Rest."
Karthak raises an eyebrow at Pollux tone and when he speaks his tone is as hard as granite:"Yes? Would you have liked me to stay back with you and hold your hand? Had I not been here on time instead of cowering back who knows what would have transpired here? We could be gazing on the corpses of our friends instead of a defeated mad heretic" the inquisitor points at the dwarf laying on the ground then starts to move away but stops midway and adressess pollux again "One last word of wisdom, asmodite: if you want to say something state it plainly. It won't make you look less foolish but at least it will make you look a bit manlier"
When he's finished Karthak reaches Millorn and speaks to Jokum:"Agreed. We can't keep it up with these many wounded" he states simply, then he takes the manacles he had in his backpack and uses them to bind the mad dwarf.
"If you lot don't all stop bickering I will knock you unconcious and drag you back to that shrine." The frustrated sylph turns on them as she looks at the downed dwarf. "You." She points at Karthak, "Need to stop being an arrogant stubborn ass. You keep pushing on without any regard and you are going to get all of us including yourself killed! We need to work as a team if we want to make it out of here alive." She turns on Pollux and narrows her eyes, "And you need to stop antagonizing him." She marches back to Tess and stands over the girl protectively, hands on her hips and glaring at the boys like they were naughty children.
"While a trip back to the temple would be a long one, I fear that if we press on much farther that we wont be able to make it. We've got a few days worth of food... so starving wont be a problem. Can anyone make water?"
Karthak actually chuckles at Ce-Eshna's words:"At least you have some fire, little sylph! I can't say I agree with what you just said but for the part about pressing on. At this point it's clear we are not going to make it without rest. So.. we'll take our time and hope to find something left of Kenabres when we emerge" so saying the inquisitor finishes tying the dwarf known as Millorn.
The girl regards the squabbling silently, and peers over to where the shackled dwarf lies unconscious. "What are..." Tess coughs softly into her hand. "What are we going to do with a prisoner? I feel we have quite enough going on without adding another person trying to kill us in our sleep..." Her voice is still soft, but her words come out less slowly. It's like waking up from a very long nap...
"Sir Aravashnial, would you be able to make out if this dwarf was one of the mole people if we gave you a description?"
Karthak's expression at hearing Tess somehow saddens:"You are right, girlie... we don't need a rabid dog in our midsts. Yet... executing him without process isn't right, for all we know his transgresions may not deserve that kind of punishment. It's not an easy choice by any means"
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"This zealot's done a wonderful job of antagonizing himself, Ce-Eshna." Pollux says, undeterred in his accusations. "Twice now he has found himself in a room separated from most of us trying to bring his axe down on something's head. By himself no less. Once he found himself unconscious as a result. This time he had the good fortune of Jokum restraining the villain while his axe fell."
As everyone gathers around Tess, Pollux walks over and kicks the freshly bound Millorn over, looking at his ragged face with nothing short of contempt. "It must be a symptom of those who crawl up from under the ground to have to greet each other with voices raised and axes held high. Undead and dwarven folk alike."
"Enough," Jokum snarls at Pollux, his dislike plain. Crossing over to the prisoner, he moves between Pollux and the dwarf and kneels down by the latter's head, setting about to see if he can bring him back to consciousness. "We'll get this one up, on his feet, and see what he has to say for himself. If need be, we can lose him down a tunnel. But perhaps now that he's bound he'll go quietly. The rest of you--get ready to head back to the temple. It's the only defensible spot we know here."
Growing exasperated with the dwarf's continued unconsciousness, Jokum smacks him across the face. This doesn't seem to have any effect...
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Pollux smirks as Jokum snarls, stepping back as he tries to raise the dwarf. "I doubt hitting the dwarf will wake him, he'll regain consciousness before long. Until then does anyone have a pot? I'll provide the water." he walks over and kicks a log in the dwarf's fire. "I guess this will last..." he pauses, adrenaline left over from the skirmish giving way to nausea once more, "few hours, maybe more."
"I have a pot," Tess murmurs quietly, considering the fallen dwarf. "What happened down here while I was out? He attacked you, Jokum? And you, Karthak?"
She opens her backpack distractedly, eyes never leaving the shackled man, and places a small iron pot on the ground beside her.
She scoots over slowly, and removes the two potion vials attached at his waist.
Karthak gives a raspy laugh at Pollux's words:"Indeed. Perhaps there are better uses for my axe, devil lover... And of course, you seem awufully selective in how you remember things... but whatever. Now it's not the time for bikering. There will be time for that... later"
Or not... but in that case we'll have much bigger problems to deal with anyway
The blow is open palmed, not intending to do him real harm but clearly showing her determination to do exactly as she stated her intent,
But her heart wasn't in it and it sailed a fair distance in front of Pollux's face. She stamps her foot and turns her back to him and raises her hand to Karthak shaking angrily as if to strike at him as well. "STOP IT BOTH OF YOU!" She shrieks with tears coming to her eyes, as she shakes with fear, anger, and exhaustion, overwhelmed by the days events. Nearly a whisper, "If we sow chaos amongst ourselves they've won." She collapses to her knees with an anguished wail.
"We could stay here tonight," Tess says in the silence following Ce-Eshna's cry. She seems almost oblivious to the conflict among the older members of the group as she continues. "The dwarf was unharmed when you came across him, I take it?" She looks exasperated at Jokum and Karthak, clearly irritated that no one has given her an explanation of the events that transpired in her absence.
She continues thoughtfully. "If one mad dog could keep the hordes at bay, what's to say three of the same couldn't? And the rest of us, of course."
Having said her piece, the girl scoots over to where Ce-Eshna has fallen, and hugs her tightly.
Jokum puts a hand on Ce-Eshna's shoulder in the ringing silence, and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Yes," he says, addressing Tess. "The dwarf was unarmed and well, sitting by his fire. Karthak called a challenge to him and a fight broke out. The dwarf has some knowledge of magic...he cast a spell to confuse our senses, and blasted Xaivan over there with some sort of bolt. Fortunately the others managed to take him down...I take it. I was knocked out by one of his spells."
Jokum pauses, then eyes the little girl. "And I am no mad dog," he adds, quietly fierce. "Though I can't speak for the others. Pollux, Karthak--stop your bickering. We have more important things at hand. Are we to rest here, then?"
Tess's face falls as the man regards her. "Oh good sir, I was only teasing. I thought... I thought some humor might make light in our bleak situation. I know I'm not very funny...."
She removes herself from Ce-Eshna, her arms embracing herself now instead. In a small voice she addresses the other dwarf. "Sir Karthak, your water is ready... thanks to Pastor Pollux...."
She looks up for a moment, glancing between the people in various states of disrepair as if counting heads. "Where is the other man- the one who was so good with his bow in the tournament?"
"Sir Slingblade?" Tess turns around to where the man lies. She coughs from the slight exertion; irritated by her own weakness, she curses under her breath, then claps a hand over her mouth in shock.
The girl looks up at the others. "Is he okay? Can you check on him?... I would myself, but I feel as though I'll faint if I do anything useful...."
Jokum sighs at Tess's distress and rubs his forehead. Need to apologize for that later...she meant no harm, there's no way she knows...
At her question about Xaivan, Jokum looks around and spots him where he fell. "This is what happens when we start fighting among ourselves," he growls quietly, not at anyone in particular. "We leave a fallen comrade to suffer."
Bending over the halfling, Jokum examines him. "He seems to be all right, though badly battered."
Gently, Jokum stirs Xaivan awake. "Don't move too fast--you're badly injured."
Wha' happened? Xaivan asks the faint outline of the creature that has awoken him. I saw these two balls of something coming at me and then... then I don't remember anything. Did I hit my head?
Karthak feels the sting of guilt, realizing Xavian was left all but forgotten while he argued with Pollux:"I'm sorry, halfling. I should have checked on you"[b] then he turns towards Jokum:[b]"Perhaps an explanation is in order: I attacked the heretic because that's what he is. Didn't you hear him denouncing the Crusade? And as for not being armed I'd say he did a pretty good job of defending himself with magic. No, this one is dangerous, I won't kill him outright, but I would not be surprised to find out he's in league with the foul demons"
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"It was a spell: magic missile. Pollux says to Xaivan, eyes wide on Ce-Eshna. He hadn't taken them off of her since she attempted to strike him. As the others gathered around her he breaks his gaze and walks toward the halfling, offering a hand.
"Can you stand, Xaivan? We'll need that of you if we are to live." His voice sounds distant, perhaps a little defeated. He helps the halfling up and and then walks over to the smaller tunnel. He kneels, picking up a rock and casting light on it and throws it down the shaft, hoping to get a better look at what lies down it. He then mutters a prayer for guidance and peers down the hallway.
A steeply inclined tunnel leads upward to the north, its walls lined with numerous nooks, hand holds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven into the walls long ago.
This shaft leads upward at a steep angle for 60 feet. The cracks, handholds, and pitons-placed here years ago allow for someone to ascend the shaft almost as if a ladder were present.
I'm... not sure. I've never felt this way before. I feel horrible.
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"Well sit back down then." Pollux says to Xaivan, distracted as he peers down the path. "It seems the shaft goes up, fortunately. I suppose we will too after some rest." he pauses, then looks back toward Jokum. "I would advise against a trek back... We have made it this far and, as Tesseract said, if that fool can survive here by himself then so can the nine of us."
He watches as everyone moves about then sits down near the new shaft, his face showing signs of relief.
"Just rest," Jokum says softly. "That's the best you can do right now."
"As for you, brother Karthak..." Jokum stands and turns to the dwarf with a sigh. "Most like you're right. But the 'heretic' did no more than denounce the crusade, not ally himself with demons. There are many reasons one might oppose the demons, but still hold no love for crusaders. If you've spent any time among the Bez Země, you'll know that. Crusaders are people too, and people make enemies."
He glances over at Pollux. "Agreed. We'll camp the night here, then." He pauses, rubbing his forehead. "I am not...certain that I can stand the watch by myself again tonight. I would not want to be excessively tired. Perhaps we can set up a series of watches?"
Ce-Eshna looks up, "I will take the watch once the fire burns down. The darkness is no bother for me."
At the sound of her name, Tess glances up. Peering at the cleric through slightly-smudged lenses, she nods contemplatively. "That seems a good course of action.... We shall be relieved by Karthak and Ce-Eshna, letting Jokum and Xavian relieve them. Does anyone need a bedroll to lay their head while I'm awake?"
Jokum nods. "That sounds like it will work. Xaivan and I will need some sort of light.I have some torches, if it won't interrupt the others' rest."
The girl squints toward the cavern they came from, her fox slumbering soundly in her lap.
Ugh, yeah sure, second watch is fine. Ugh, my chest feels like someone punched me in the heart, geez. Xaivan will collect the stuff he had dropped and will don the cloak that was found, saying 'thank you' to anyone that will listen.
Ce-Eshna will catch her shuteye quickly so she is rested for her watch.
The crack of stone on stone echoes from somewhere up the tunnel you traveled down, something large seems to be moving out there.
The sharp noise startles the girl. "Did you hear that?" she whispers fearfully- Why am I whispering?
Tess rouses Sorua, who yawns grumpily at being disturbed from his warm spot. She turns to Pollux, her eyes wide behind her glasses. "Ought we to wake the others? I'd hate for them to get up for just some... some falling rocks..."
She glances down the noisy tunnel in question. "I mean, it sounds scary, but it might be something nice, right?" The girl attempts to smile, but seems only to grimace.
Tess looks askance at the man. "I'm not criticizing your ideas, Father Pollux, but I think they may lack.... finesse."
With a word and a flick of her wrist, a glowing ball of light erupts as far down the cavern as she can see.
Sorua paces around her ankles, a low growl emanating from his throat. The girl draws her dagger from her belt and prepares herself for the unknown.
As the light moves away from you you catch a glimpse of a giant bat's face peering at you from the darkness.