Aravashnial clearly is used to being in command and his mood is worsened by his sudden loss of sight. Anevia's willingness to help is met with reluctant acceptance. Pollux's chastisement however seems to get to him. "Perhaps I spoke to quickly. It is hard to judge a man by sound alone. I am the wizard Aravashnial, a Riftwardern of some skill. If you listen to me I can get us all out of here alive."
"Given the circumstances I actually find your request for information quite sensible, master Aravashnial, and of course we'll take into consideration your insight on the situation" says Karthak nodding his head sagely.
"As I said before my name is Karthak of the Ironbreaker clan, a resident of the city above us recently returned from Highelm. As for my skills... I make sure Torag's will is done and mantain his law. I've dealt with demons and their servants before. I lived to tell the tale. They didn't"
Jokum's voice floats out of the darkness just ahead of the group's lights.
"I am called Jokum, of the Breakbone clan. I am one of the Bez Země--the Nationless, those who hail from Sarkoris That Was. As far as qualifications go..." he snorts. "Living in Sarkoris That Was, I have had my own encounters with demons and their ilk. Like Master Karthak, I am here and my foes are not. Besides, I have been living by myself in the wilds of Sarkoris for...several years."
The girl had been watching the fox gambol around the cavern, but her head snaps around to face the elf at the sound of one word.
"Riftwarden? You are a Riftwarden?" Tess bites her lip as she considers the elf with new eyes, clearly eager to question him further. Glancing at the other members of the party seems to temper her enthusiasm, however, and with a resigned look in her eyes, she continues with what apparently was not the first thing that popped into her mind.
"I hesitate to speak for everyone, but I think we'd value highly any advice you could offer, Sir Aravashnial. And that extends to you as well, Madame Tirabade." The girl offers a small curtsy to the woman with the broken leg.
"Well if anyone has a rapier I can use that." Hargus reluctantly grumbles.
Tess your fox doesn't seem to notice anything of note down either passage. Jokum both routes seem equally viable.
Well if you can get us all out of here I'm more than willing to listen. Xaivan responds quietly to the elf's statement.
The halfling seems distracted by his own thoughts as he finishes the sentence. Then again, who knows what kind of adventure might be down here? Isn't adventure what you came back here for? Sure, perhaps this isn't what you meant by adventure but it is an adventure, is it not? Xaivan mulls over the question in his mind, as if his wanderlust had taken a mind of its own and was now challenging him. You must admit, this beats playing cards and picking coins from purses for leisure, does it not? This could be a true adventure!
Or it could get me killed. I'm not a warrior. I'm no riftwarden or demon hunter like these folks seem to be. Adventurer I am not. Xaivan snorts to himself as he regards the final sentence.
Not all adventurers have to be demon hunters. Some can use guile and keep to the shadows. You are adept with the bow, use it. Why limit yourself to petty competitions and tricks? This could be the chance to prove what you are really made of...
The halfling quietly sighs to himself. Let's just see where the passage takes us and go from there.
Jokum returns to the light of the group with a sigh. Now that there is no immediate threat he seems more obviously worn out, and stress is starting to appear in the corners of his eyes and mouth.
"I can see no obvious difference in the tunnels," he admits. "If anyone else can, feel free to speak up, but for myself...I have no preference which one we follow when we decide to move on."
Gods, he wonders to himself, how long will we be down here?
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Pollux approaches Hargus and unbelts his mace, handing it to him handle first. "Not quite a rapier, but I would wager you'll like the sense of security provided by the extra weight." he sees Jokum return from the darkness and gives him a knowing look, one almost begging to be returned.
"I can see no obvious difference in the tunnels," he admits. "If anyone else can, feel free to speak up, but for myself...I have no preference which one we follow when we decide to move on."
"I suggested the southern path. However given the looks I receive," his eyes avert to Karthak, "perhaps north would be better. It would suit those not looking to to be led into endless darkness by a so called devil worshipper." Pollux takes a deep breath and looks around at everyone. He then starts moving toward the northern exit. "I'm sure we can walk and talk at the same time. Even if we mosey."
Karthak nods at Pollux words:"That we can do. And it's not like I had anything against the southern passage. I just asked you to explain why you choose that route and you didn't respond. I can't say what waits for us after those stone arches, I was curious to know if your patron had given you any special insights on the matter, that's all."
"I agree with Pollux, the longer we stand here shooting the breeze the more likely trouble is to find us before we have a chance to find it first." Not being able to feel the sun or the wind has clearly left the young girl feeling vulnerable and it is clear she wants out of this cave as quickly as possible.
Aprox. 12:10p.m.
The grand cavern narrows as it splits into the separate passages. It soon widens again to reveal another smaller cavern that appears to have once served as a campsite or temporary lair. A torn bed roll lies next to the cold remains of a fire. A pile of bones, broken equipment, and rubble lies just past the campsite. Beyond the camp the cave appears to stretch on farther out of sight.
Jokum stiffens as he sees the campsite. "Someone's been here," he growls. "Perhaps another survivor, but if so, they were awfully well prepared..."
He'll do some scouting and investigating to see what he can glean.
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Pollux shakes his head, "Unfortunately no, Master Ironbreaker. God bothering about a fork in the road is frowned upon by my church, as it is with many others I'd imagine.". u continues into the narrow passageway to the north. Upon entering he looks around and then into the campsite. "Perhaps there is something we can use in here." he hands off his glowing rock to Anevia with a smile and starts searching through the campsite pile of broken goodies for anything salvageable.
As they wander, Tess is preoccupied by her own thoughts, but manages to keep the map as accurate as possible given their circumstances. She walks quietly alongside the elf, sneaking glances to soak in his demeanor, equipment and attire when no one is watching. Riftwarden...
When they happen upon the abandoned lair, Tess takes a moment to update her map artistically: soon the map contains the crudely-drawn icons of a tent, a fire, and a smiling skull. Her work done, she considers the campsite once more, rubbing her right cheek thoughtfully.
"I wonder why the equipment is all broken.... Sir Breakbones, can you tell how long it's been abandoned?" The girl walks past the lair and peers into the darkness, though she cannot see very far, and throws a rock as hard as she can. Sorua the fox snuffles around the campsite, picking up any new or interesting scents.
Keeping her eye out for trouble Ce-Eshna lets the others rummage while she watches the shadows.
While the others check the abandoned campsite Karthak concentrates on the stones of the cavern, intent in discerning the best route to reach the surface, all the while keeping an eye open for possible assaliants.
"I wonder if this is some kind of trial Torag set upon me mimicking the quest for sky... it would certainly be fitting. Only we get to slaughter demons instead of orcs in the end..."
Once he's done the dwarf gets back to the group and starts talking with Aravashnial:"So you are a riftwarden, then. Things look pretty bad at the moment, any wisdom to share on what could possibly have happened? A full scale invasion of this kind should not have been possible...
Xaivan will assist in searching the newly-found campsite for anything of use to the party. Let's hope that whoever was here isn't coming back anytime soon. I'd rather not risk a confrontation while we have the injured with us.
As you begin to poke and prod at the remnant of the camp three giant bugs burst forth. The dog-sized vermin, clicking their filth slicked mandibles hungerly, rush towards you.
"Watch OUT!" cries the girl, and the fox yelps in terror.
Tess drops her mapmaking equipment, chalk and slate clattering to the ground, and pulls out a dagger from somewhere under her capelet. She hurls it at the nearest bug, hoping it will stick pointy-side first.
"Get back here, little one!" she shrieks at the fox, terrified that his own stupid sense of bravery would kill him. However, she didn't have to call him twice, as the kit bolted from his spot by the camp at the first sign of the bugs.
Ready for trouble Ce-Eshna draws a regular arrow and looses it on the closest moving target.
Jokum moves only a fraction of a second after Tess. "BACK!" he bellows, pulling and loosing his arrow, aiming at the same roach Tess threw her knife at.
Round 1
Tesseract Cries a warning and skillfully throws a dagger into the lead bug.
Jokum’s arrow, a split second slower ricochets off its thick carapace.
Roach 3 Injured, darts forward at Jokum trying to bite him
Anevia Shouts out as the large bugs scurry around the party. ”Aravashnial five fee to your left and 10 forward, throw acid at it!”
Ce-Eshna steps back and loses and arrow where she stood seconds before as it sinks into the back of the roach.
Karthak DELAYED
Roach 2 Injured, darts forward at Ce-Eshna trying to bite her
Aravashnial quickly conjures a glob of acid and flings it at the roach near Jokum Roach 3 dies.
Pollux DELAYED
Xaivan DELAYED
Roach 1 darts forward at Karthak trying to bite him
Hargus Whimpers and backs away from the fight.
Tess silently cheers as the roach she aimed at falls dead; her victory is short-lived when she sees another bug clicking its mandibles at Ce-Eshna.
"Careful, Ce-Eshna!" the girl calls out. Her voice is decidedly less panicky than before as she pulls out another dagger and aims at the offensive vermin.
The girl frowns in irritation as her dagger bounces off the thick, plated hide harmlessly.
Dropping her bow Ce-Eshna draws her blade and swipes at the vermin.
Round 1 : Xaivan fires at Roach 1!
Round 2 : Assuming it is still alive he'll fire again!
Karthak roars as he slashes his axe towards the bug attacking him:
If he gets to attack in round 2 Karthak tries to kill the bug again:
Jokum bellows in pain as the roach's pincers pierce his leg. Vermin! Kill! Kill! Kill before it spawns! Kill the filth! He blinks through the sweat and pain. That was one of his...unusually intense thoughts.
Dropping his bow, he draws his sword and swings in a mighty arc at the roach that bit him.
Round 1 redux
Karthak swings his ax but misses sending chips of stone into the air.
Pollux recovers from his shock and stabs with his spear, leaving a deep gash in the roach's chitten.
Xaivan's arrow takes the head off of the roach, impossibly though it's still moving!
Round 2
Tess's dagger falls short.
Jokum steps forward over the remains of the melted roach, dropping his bow and drawing his sword. He slashes near Ce-Eshna and leaves the roach in two pieces as his cut bisects the creature. Roach 2 Dies
Anevia waits to see if the last injured creature will fall.
Ce-Eshna finds that all the roaches near her are dead.
Karthak finishes off the headless roach with a final swing of his ax.
As the last of the creatures fall, a calm settles over the cave.
Treasure
A thorough search of the room turns up a torn bedroll, three candle stubs (each can burn for 30 minutes), a bent fishhook, 10 feet of badly frayed hemp rope, and a copper brooch depicting a bat perched on a mushroom both of the bat's eyes are tiny amethysts.
"Bugs and cockroaches... not exactly what I was expecting but at least we are managing pretty well thus far it seems!" says Karthak, cleansing his axe from the roach's ichor.
Nodding, Ce-Eshna silently agreed, the thrill of battle easing her mind somewhat as she retrieves her bow. The items found bore little interest to her and she continues to watch over the group in silence, keeping to the shadows as best as possible.
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Pollux wipes the edge of his spear against the cockroach's back, breathing deeply. "One must learn to crush insects on the way to crushing his enemies." he says to no one in particular almost in a rehearsed cadence. He begins gathering what he sees as useful from the pile, particularly the torches. Though he picks up the the jewel encrusted mushroom and holds it up. "I believe this might be worth something, though I'm terrible at determining the price of anything."
Jokum is breathing hard, but closes his eyes and manages to still himself. He glances at the jewel Pollux holds. "A bauble, nothing more. We should continue on, unless we plan to rest here," he says, looking around the cavern dubiously.
Tess lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, and in a sudden movement sweeps up Sorua into her arms to cuddle fiercely. "You silly thing! You need to be more careful," she whispers in relief, her face buried in the soft red fur.
She bats his nose with a finger- the most gentle of admonitions- and sets him down beside her, then goes to retrieve her two daggers. Wiping the gooey guts of the gigantic bug on the torn bedroll, the girl stows them again on her person.
"This is it?" Tess says of the haul, frowning. While muttering a few words under her breath, she makes a circle of the thumb and forefinger on her right hand and holds it up to her eye as if it were a monocle. She studies the loot and campsite again through the finger-lens.
After doing so, she nods to Jokum. "I'm ready to continue. What do you suppose we'll find next? Moths the size of bats? Spiders as fat as rats?" She gathers up the mapmaking slate and chalk, and flicks up the dancing lights once more.
I'll take a quick look at the bauble if you don't mind...
Jokum snorts at Tess's levity. "I hope not. What we've found is quite enough for me." Still...it's good that everyone is holding together so well. At least one of us can joke about this--and her the youngest of the group.
The cavern continues on to the west splitting again off due west and another curving back south-east.
Jokum, striding slightly away from the group, will inspect both passages for trails, potential hazards, etc.
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Pollux takes the thing and tucks it away. "I don't suppose we could pawn this off on some poor devil once we get back to the surface." he pauses for a second, his expression turning serious. He takes another deep breath and collects the useful items. "I see Jokum is in the process of answering my next question. We'll hopefully be moving soon."
He stands and hands off the torches to the wounded and steps forward a bit toward the fork, awaiting Jokum's inquiry.
Don't lose it, in the event we need something of value we might be able to use it to some degree I'd say. Xaivan nods toward Ppllux as he puts the bauble away. I just hope we get the chance.
"Well, if you are done sorting out that junk I suggest we continue" says Karthak seemingly to himself but in a rather high tone of voice...
Jokum strides back into view, joining the group inside the lights.
"The eastern passage just loops back to our starting position--if we want to get out of here, we have to head west."
He'll nock an arrow, wait until everyone is prepared to head off, and then proceed at the head of the party.
still taking up rearguard Ce-Eshna has her bow at the ready but no arrow ready, prepared to pull either kind should a demon rear its ugly head.
"Well then... what are we waiting for? Let's go west... and quick!" says Karthak moving towards the tunnel leading westward.
The western route leads to a small chamber nearly 20 feet across. Several mounds of rock lie in heaps in this cavern, recently fallen from the walls and ceiling. Now and then, bits of dust settle from cracks in the stone above. Farther west another opening can be seen leading off to the west.
Karthak scans the room briefly for possible threats before moving forward.