Tess laughs nervously. "I've got a staff... I'm, um, not much good with it, but I have it if I need it."
She adjusts her glasses and peers across the cavern, attempting to see if she recognizes anything otherworldly about the spider from her readings.
What an interesting day, she thinks vaguely.
The spider crouched and unmoving about 60ft from you all,seems to in fact be of a large variety that lives in caves. As people reach for weapons you catch a flash of silver from somewhere behind you in the rubble.
Ignoring the flash and focusing on the foe the wispy sylph lights her bottled fire and throws it, hopping that even if she can't frighten it off or kill it completely with the flames she can at least light it up and make it an easier target for those less sighted in the dark.
Moving to the north ten feet she readies her bow once again.
Jokum glances over his shoulder as silver flashes from behind the group. What the hell was that?
As he looks back, though, he hears the fwoosh of fire as Ce-Eshna throws her oil. Dammit. Impulsive. We don't even know what that light is from. Nonetheless, he turns and snaps off a shot at the giant spider from his bow.
As Ce-Eshna throws the flask at the spider Karthaks nods enthusiastically while moving closer "Good idea girly! That's the spirit! Let's send this abomination back where it comes from!"
When at 50 feet from the creature and then shoots a bullet with his sling:
The spider remains still as the burning oil strikers near it, even as the flames lick up at its long legs. Jokum's arrow lands true and sinks deep into the spider while Karthak's stone ricochets as it glances off the thick skin of the creature.
The spider seem completely unaware and lies still as death. The smell of burning oil and seared rotting meat begins to fill the chamber.
The flash of silver appears to be several somethings, small and reflective within the rubble.
"Ah!, What are you doing trying to get us all killed? What if you had dropped that? We'ed all been roasted alive. You don't even know if we have fresh air coming in here. You could burn it all away!"
The fat noble is taken aback by the improvised explosive. His jowls quiver as he speaks. Looking out at the unmoving form now surrounded by flames he laughs. "What a waste that creature is as dead as any of the poor sots behind us."
Why doesn't it move? Maybe it's already dead? Xaivan wonders out loud. Noticing the flashes of silver, the halfling turns his head and heads for the closest one, curious about what it may be.
Glaring at the pompous buffoon, Such a callous disregard for the fallen, Terendelev wasted his breath on this one. Ce-Eshna impertinently states, "Well you are certainly welcome to take point on getting us out of here, I wouldn't want to impede you." Standing she moves over to the corpse to inspect it, the rotting smell giving her reason to believe something killed it before the fall.
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"Better to know the insect is dead than not. Good work Ce-Eshna." Pollux offers a smile, though it may not be noticed in the dark. He too sees the flashes of silver and tenses, hand clutching his spear still. "Can everyone walk? We should make way out of this room and cave. I will carry one of the wounded if I must, though I hope our excursion turns out to be a short one."
He gives Ce-Eshna the slightest of nods as he passes her and walks toward the wounded. "What do we have here?" he asks as he gets close to the rubble.
Pollux sees what appears to be 6 hand sized silver scales littered in the debris.
Tess finished tending the man's wounds by gently wrapping a clean strip of cloth around his eyes. Perhaps someone else can salvage what I cannot.... "Can you stand, sir? We must try to get out of here." Tess helps the man to his feet and gives him her quarterstaff to use as a walking stick.
Jokum also turns to glare at Gwerm. "Vrány se vaše oči! If you have such useful insights to share, I strongly suggest that you bring them to us before we waste precious arrows and fire on a dead spider, next time," he growls. He steps right up to the nobleman, looming over him slightly. "I intend to get all of us out of here alive--including, so help me, you--and we all need to work together for that to happen. So either shut up or speak in a timely manner."
Stalking away and ignoring the man's sputtering, Jokum joins Ce-Eshna in trying to determine what killed the spider, as well as inspecting it to see if there are any parts that might be salvaged for food.
"Zavři pusu fracek! Did anyone care to think why such a beast would be just sitting there? I tremble at the thought that our 'protection' lies in such able hands. " Your attempt has only served to make him more upset with you. "It's not as if anyone even bothers to ask my opinion."
Karthak was going to check the dead spider but the sudden squabble forces him to turn back and rejoin the group"Shut it! All of you! If we are to survive long enough to reach the surface again and get revenge on those foul demons we cannot start bickering among ourselves! Otherwise we can as well cut our throats here and now, that would just save time. Again: we NEED TO WORK TOGHETER!"
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Pollux's eyes grow with wonder and he goes to collect the scales. "Aha, Behold!" he says, "The last gift of Terendelev, watchdog of Kenabres." he begins to walk around in the debris to pick them up one at a time and stacking them in his arm. With the outbreak of bickering and Karthak's finding of his command voice Pollux adds, "Master Ironbreaker is correct. There are forces at work now that far and away more demanding of our attention."
He grabs the last scale and slides down off of the debris. "Mister Gwerm, is it? Would you be so kind as to follow the advice being given to you by our gruff friend?"
Tess, helping up the elven man, is captivated by the shining silver scales in the other young man's hands. Pollux Wardroxian, a called and ordained servant of the lord prince of law, Asmodeus, she remembers, fixing the person in her mind.
What's with the scales? How can they help us? Xaivan asks quietly. Its not as if we can eat them. The halfling watches as the other bicker and yell at the nobleman, electing not to get involved.
If the spider is dead then maybe we can move past it and see if there is a way out of here?
Terendelev's scale
Aura Strong (varies); CL 19th
Slot none; Minor Artifact Weight --
Description
Each of Terendelev's scales grants a different power to the person who carries them. The powers granted do not function at all if more than one scale is carried. The powers of the six scales are listed below-any nonevil creature that handles a scale immediately understands its use.
Cloudwalking: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast levitate. A pillar of roiling clouds rises below the levitating object or creature, growing and shrinking with the target's altitude. This pillar is 5 feet in diameter (regardless of the target's size) and provides concealment (20% miss chance) to any creature or object wholly contained within.
Disguise: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast alter self. While disguised, the target gains a +4 bonus on all Bluff checks made against evil creatures.
Resistance: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast resist elements-but only against electricity or cold.
Sacred Weaponry: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast align weapon, but only to make a weapon lawful or good. Unlike a normal align weapon spell, this effect can be cast on an unarmed strike or natural weapon.
Glittering: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast Glitterdust, however creatures that fail their save are not blinded, but suffer a 20% miss chance on all attacks for 19 rounds.
Sparking: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast Deadeye's Arrow, the arrow may be used as an attack dealing 1d6+5 electricity damage or as a beacon (see spell text)
Destruction
The Storm King Khorramzadeh can destroy each of Terendelev's scales merely by eating it.
Hargus seems mollified by the dwarf and the Pollux's words.
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Pollux tosses one of the scales to Xaivan. "See for yourself halfling." he says, focusing on Xaivan's face until he saw the appropriate reaction. He then in turn hands one to each of those who look combat ready. Each hand off followed by a pause to gauge for the reaction. Finally he comes to Tess, "For you little miss, use it well."
Pollux looks around, surveying their current circumstances. "So we have a path ahead of us beyond the dead spider. I believe we should follow Xaivan's plan and move past the corpse to another room. I will walk with the wounded and continue to hold my light. I believe Jokum and Ce-Eshna can both see down here if their actions are any indication, so they should take the front and rear respectively. Those of us not so adept at seeing in this light should remain near me so that they may at least see what's right in front of their eyes. If anyone objects to this plan of action please speak up, otherwise I'd say we should start making our way out. " Pollux continues to look around at everyone, waiting for their responses.
Xaivan catches the scale throw to him and is immediately overcome by the effects the scale as over him. I've never felt anything like this before... The halfling's mood turns somber as he turns the scale over in his small hands. How is it that you have come to know such knowledge? You've seen these before?
Ce-Eshna takes note as her name is spoken, finishing her inspection of the body she turns and moves back into the light. "I'm faster than most, I should probably take rear guard, that way I can catch up in a hurry if necessary." she smiles fiercly and hefts her bow. Taking note of the scales she asks, "What do you have there?"
Karthak reaches for one of the scales and examines it briefly, then he mutters:"Treat them with respect. These are the last remains of our saviour. Terendelev gave her life for us, and this seems to be her last gift. A wondrous thing to have, to be sure. I will be keeping this one, unless someone has something against it" then the dwarf adds "As for your plan Asmodite, it seems fine to me, although I guess we have better examine that spider briefly, so we might understand what killed it. I wouldn't want to meet such a creature unless under the most dire of circumstances"
After the scales are divided up, the last of the oil burns away as Jokum and Ce-Eshna move close to inspect the charred remains. The immense vermin is several days dead, as becomes apparent from the smell and condition of the corpse. Disturbingly however two things seem very wrong with the corpse-a muffled chewing sound and a bulge wriggling inside of the spider's abdomen. Suddenly two enormous maggots with greasy, pale flesh and a dripping, circular mouths filled with tiny, sharp teeth burst from the remains.
As Xaivan moves forward to see if their is a way out past the spider (as he suggested they look) he sees the maggots flash their teeth at them! Reacting to the threat the halfling fires an arrow at the closest of the creatures!
Tess takes the scale and is surprised- though it weighs almost nothing in her hands, the scale carries great emotional weight. She finds that the tears in her eyes, which have threatened to spill again at several points in the cavern, have vanished; the girl now holds her head slightly higher, her shoulders back and chin up.
She finds herself nodding along with the Pollux's plan of action, happy for now that the arguments have died away. She tucks the shimmering scale into a pocket in her dress.
Jokum lets out a startled growl of surprise as he accepts a scale from Pollux--then, as the maggots burst from the spider's corpse, he yells, "Back! Ce-Eshna, look out!"
Sticking the scale rapidly into his belt pouch, he nocks an arrow, draws, and looses in one smooth motion.
Nevertheless, he goes wildly wide of his mark, either through surprise or sheer bad timing. With a muttered curse, he drops his bow and draws the mighty greatsword strapped to his back.
The girl shrieks as the maggots burst from the fetid spider's corpse. "Oh, gross!"
She tries to collect herself, still shaking, and renews her casting of the glowing lights that illuminate the cavern. As she does, she shifts them slightly closer to the corpse, throwing the maggots into sharp relief.
Not wanting to waste an arrow on such filth Ce-Eshna drops her bow and smoothly draws her blade as she moves in. Hitting the closest maggot.
Seeing the creatures explode out of the dead spider's abdomen Karthak charges toward the nearest one axe held high yelling:"By Torag's will, your hour has come!"
The flurry of attacks makes short work of the slow moving creatures. Leaving them in oozing pieces near the remains of their last meal.
Cleaning her blade before returning it to her sheathe, the slyph quickly turns to retrieve her bow. Glancing at Pollux she takes the offered scale and inspects it shortly before putting it in her pocket. Taking up a rearguard position she moves out of the light once more.
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Pollux hands off the scale as Ce-Eshna walks by. His attempt at reading her face fails and he watches her walk away from him and back into darkness. After a quick glance down, then around at everyone else he speaks up. "Well then, lets be on our way. I'd rather be out of this cave before dark."
He begins walking, slow enough for the wounded to keep up with his light but fast enough to keep them at their full speed.
Jokum sighs, sheathes his sword, and goes to retrieve his stray arrow.
Finding it broken, he grumbles, but pulls another from his quiver. "I'm happy to take point," he says. Pausing by Tess, he digs in his pack and pulls out a gridded slate and several pieces of colored chalk. "You have the look of someone with a sharp eye and a steady hand," he growls. "Perhaps as we travel you'd be so good as to keep a map and make sure that we're not heading in circles?"
Assuming she accepts the mapmaker's kit, Jokum will give the group a curt nod and stride forward to take point, keeping an arrow nocked to his bowstring and a wary eye out at all times.
The wide cavern splits into two tunnels. Both traveling east one slightly to the north the other heading south.
Already we have a choice to make? Terrific. Xaivan says. So what now? Flip a coin?
Karthak glances suspiciously towards the priest of Asmodeus:"And what exactly makes you favor the southern approach, asmodite? I suggest we check with the wounded before making any decisions on how to proceed" then, turning towards Anevia and the blinded elf he asks:"Are you able to follow? We need to start climbing up from this hole, and we'll do it all togheter. We were saved for a reason, I'm sure"
"Erm... Thanks," Tess mumbles. She attempts to balance everything in her arms, and is forced to place her fox on the ground beside her. People keep handing me things! she whines in her head, and giggles to herself.
"I've never made a map before," she comments idly, studying the tools in front of her to try to figure out how to begin. She pulls her compass out of her backpack to orient them somewhat, and marks a compass rose on the map. Not sure where their relative position is, she marks the cavern they first fell into as a location slightly west of center on the map.
As they happen upon the fork, Tess dutifully marks down its relative distance from their starting point. Sorua skirts between one branch and the other, yipping into the darkness to hear his own echo. She laughs at the kit's antics as he begins snuffling around the mouth of each part of the fork.
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Pollux notices the suspicious look given to him by the dwarf and returns the stare with the slightest of furrowed brows. "Do as you must master Ironbreaker, lest a misguided 'asmodite' such as myself indeed lead us astray." he emphasized the word "asmodite" in a condescending, though clearly bemused, tone. He looks ahead into the darkness, "What say you Jokum? Does either side look at all more threatening than the other?"
"Hold up. Who are you all exactly? Thank you for your help but we're in the middle of an attack and you want to follow a devil worshiper into the endless dark before us. Perhaps we should take stock of or skills and what equipment we have on hand. What skills do you all have? What experience in battling the unending horde of demons?"
Skills? Experience? Look, I just want to get out of here and I really don't care who leads us as long as we survive to see the light of day again. Xaivan looks a bit confused by all the arguing as to who is worshiping who, leading what, or asking for everyone's resume. Look, if you must know, I can do a little sneaking around here and there and I'm handy with locks and stuff. The halfling then quickly says, Don't be quick to judge! Just because I have a bit of rogue in me doesn't mean I'm some thief.
So what if I was once a simple cutpurse? I'm past that now... or at least I was until all THIS happened.
Speaking softly from the back of the group the young outsider answers, "I am Ce-Eshna, daughter of Sorcerer Lightfoot, junior demon hunter. Most of these others are at least brave enough to tread Kimroth's lair in search of drink so you are in good hands. We will do our best to protect you.
Her voice almost doesn't even quaver as she feigns less fear than she feels.
Tess is paying more attention to Sorua than the elf, and answers in a bored monotone.
"I've introduced myself to you already, sir. I'm still waiting to hear what you call yourself. At least the so-called devil-worshipper is forthcoming with this information: no one had to ask him twice."
"Our city burns above us, for all we know. I'm fond of words, but I believe this is a time for action, and so far our actions have been to rescue you and help you escape what would have been your death chamber. Should you still not trust us by those actions, I'm afraid there's little our words can do to remedy that."
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Pollux's grip on his stone tightens, forcing glowing dust to fall from it and peter out in the dark. "My God is no mere devil..." he says in a grim tone. He opens his mouth to say more but quite visibly -- to those with eyes at least -- stays his tongue. After a short moment, he adds "Nor am I here to deceive you. Just as you, blind elf, I look to return to the surface. I even perhaps hope to continue the crusade against those who sought to bury us under the corpse of our would be savior." Pollux gauges the elf's expression, looking for a sign of him swaying in his favor.
"So what say you? Cast aside your prejudices and trust that I am as lost, confused, and terrified as anyone else in this cave and will do what I can to help you and all others get out of here? Or should you stay that way and let us spend even more precious moments trying to convince you that at least one of us is not trying to deceive you?"
"Aravashnial, please let these people be, I'll be your eyes for now." She stands and uses a makeshift crutch to help her move to the blind man. While slow and clearly pained she takes his arm and begins to guide him towards the rest of the group.
"I'm Anevia Tirabade, I've some experience with fighting demons and their ilk and even some in hunting down cultists. I'm married to one of the Eagle Watch. With my leg I doubt I can be much help in a fight beyond an arrow or two. Hargus may not be the easiest man to get a long with but I promise his heart is in the right place."