Kyra frowned a little when she heard Farak's explanation of the tunnel situation. She touched her hand to the hilt of her scimitar reassuringly and took a steadying breath. "That sounds ominous, however, nothing for it other than to move forward. I will keep an eye to the rear, please do let me know if we come upon something to the front."
She will recast Dancing Lights and spread them out behind her in a line. She watched the floating balls of light as they walked, a slight tremble to her hands. She was frightened, terrified even. A demon army engaged in a full onslaught above them, and she had heard the stories of the horrors that lurked beneath the earth. 'Dawnflower keep us safe...' she prays to Sarenrae.
"They converge ahead you say? If we're taking the injured north, I might check out the southern tunnel." Alesie mentions.
what are you doing? Stay with the group. Even if they are noisy, and letting everything within a mile know they're here.
"I would prefer to know if we're going to get caught in a vice before it happens."
This is crazy...Desna, please protect me.
Alesie takes a deep breath, and prepares for a moment before disappearing into the shadows of the southern path.
"Wait Alesie. Once you get away from our lights, how will you see?" Elves do not see any better than humans in pitch black conditions. Carilain curses himself for not memorizing his dancing lights cantrip. He really hadn't started his day with spelunking in mind.
I have a few candles and three tindertwigs, but I think we should stay together for now."
Alesie flicks her new scale in the air. "got to try this sometime and at worst I am no more then 10 seconds from the group but if you all insist then I can stay with the group."
Alesie pauses, unclear of what to do. placing the scale back in her pocket, she slowly starts moving towards the group and the northern tunnel.
"if the paths dont take us too far out of the way, i think we should double back and check both sides. I would hate to think somehow perhaps there is another survivor whom managed to press on before we all recovered ourselves, but i trust your judgement on the direction we are heading Farak."
Kelden nodded as the dwarf head forward followed by their scout Alesie. That thought made him smile for just a moment. They were not exactly a crusading company, but perhaps Terendelev or even a higher power brought them together for a reason. Anevia, you had mentioned you are married to a member of the Eagle Watch? Who are they? A crusading company? Im afraid im new to there lands and not altogether familiar with things. Kelden continued trying to keep talking with everyone nearby about simple matters trying to keep their minds occupied on better things than thoughts of what could be happening up above.
"The Eagle Watch is a group of righteous crusaders who realized that though most of our enemies live in the Worldwound across the river, a great many walk the streets of Kenabres. The Eagle Watch seeks to rid the crusaders of corruption and improper vices and hopefully remove any demon worshiping cults that have sprung up over the years."
"Oh don't forget breaking and entering, theft, intimidation and a pletherea of other unsavory activities. All in the name of the 'greater good' after all."
Hargus clearly has some experience with the Watch and hasn't been impressed by their works.
"Or the fact that most of the other crusaders view you all as an annoyance and even Prelate Hulrun, the greatest witch hunter of Kenabras wont work with you."
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.
Farak moves toward the bed roll and looks at the surrounding area, trying to pick up tracks or anything else of note.
Carilain joins in the investigation of the campsite. Once again, he casts the cantrip that lets him view magic auras.
"People have been here before. That's a good sign. (I) Just wish the tunnel was climbing..."
"A valiant and I am sure worthwhile cause Anevia, and you goodman Hargus, what do you do within the city?" Kelden asked as he glanced torwards Farak and Caralain near the campsite. It didnt seem likely that the campsite belonged to someone whom had fallen down from above which made him curious.
The noise of the group causes Alesie to wince slightly as they head down the tunnel.
They must be making this much noise on purpose... Perhaps they are trying to let everyone know we're here? Perhaps some other survivors may come to us?
Inspired by her thoughts and trying to emulate the rest of the group, Alesie begins to stamp hard on the ground with each step.
I think I'm making noise now? Been so long since I've walked with out trying to be quiet. Probably making a fool of myself.
Upon entering the new cavern Alesie stops her stamping, reverting to her more natural gait, and quickly looks to see if there is anything of importance.
Carlin, and Alesie notice something moving in the debris of the camp a split second before they dart out and attack. Three giant roaches the size of dogs rush forwards.
"Foul beasts!" Farak roars, curing in Dwarven under his breath. His hammer is quickly off his shoulder, though, and flies toward the roach to the south. As the hammer sails wide of the creature, Farak curses louder than before.
:
"Arg! More bugs!" Carilain tries to catch one of the nasty things on the tip of his short sword, before it can get closer.
"Again with the creepy crawlies? why couldn't it be something nice." Alesie cries, while moving into position against the roaches.
Kyra flinches when she sees the giant cockroaches scrambling towards the group; however, after she sees Alesie and Carilain engaged the bugs she quickly moves towards the northernmost portion of the cavern. As she's moving she empowers her arrow with some of her own arcane magical essence. Once in position she draws her arrow back, takes aim, and lets the arrow fly towards the eastern cockroach!
Carilain: Shouts and swings his sword missing the roach.
Alesie: Shoots and misses as the roaches emerge from the debris. Dropping the bow she moves north and leaves the beast still moving but oozing thick ichor.
Farak: Farak roars, cursing swings his hammer narrowly missing the skittering bug.
Kelden: Delayed
Roach 3: Attacks Kelden
Roach 2: Moves forward and attacks Farak
Aurora: NPCed Inspire Courage +1/+1
Kyra:Moves to the north and fires an arrow at the roaches missing.
Round 2 GO!
Alesie attacks the roach looking to finish it off quickly.
"Argg! The roach got everywhere, not cool."
Disgusted by the black ichor now covering her weapon and clothes, Alesie gets distracted for a moment.
"Bastard bug!" Farak shouts, stepping back to flank with Kelden. He heaves his hammer once more, but misses badly.
Seeing her new companions having difficulty with one of the roaches, she drops her shortbow and quickly draws her scimitar. Once again she imbues her blade with a portion of her magical essence and takes a twirling step forward. Kyra's blade flashes in the silvery light of her dancing lights as she brings her weapon around towards the disgusting vermin!
Carilain lets some of his arcane power flow into his blade. Arcane symbols seem to move under the surface of the plane grey metal of the sword. Then he again stabs at the oversized roach.
When the giant bug gnashed itself at him Kelden stepped back just for a moment disgusted by creature. "first maggots, now roaches, what other foul things live down here?" He growled out slashing at the cockroach between him and Farak with his scimitar.
Carilain: swings unsuccessfully his sword missing by a large margin.
Alesie: Disgusted by the black ichor now covering her weapon and clothes, Alesie gets distracted for a moment, missing the roach with her next swing.
Farak: Curses his poor luck and misses again.
Kelden: Cuts deep into the flesh of the roach between him and Farak.
Roach 3: Attacks Kelden Taking a chunk of his flesh.
Roach 2: attacks Farak Misses badly.
Aurora: NPCed Continues her Inspire Courage +1/+1
Kyra: Drops the bow and draws her blade, lightly stepping forward as she swings cutting deep into the Roach.
Roach 1: Attacks Carilain
Round 3 Go!
Alesie tries to poke the roach again, looking for some vital organ.
Concentrate, Farak.
Swinging once more, Farak comes close, but barely misses the roach again.
Carilain attacks again.
The roaches bite stung,and he growled out in a bit of pain. "Disgusting vile creature." He growled out once more bringing his scimitar to bear on the pest between himself and Farak.
Carilain: Stabs at the roach, his blade pinning it to the ground.
Alesie: Hits the organ she was looking for and leaves the creature twitching in it's death throws.
Farak: Cuts off the head of the roach with a final swing.
Kelden: Takes his revenge for the bit. Leaving the creature in two pieces on the ground.
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.
Kyra lets out a sigh of relief when the last two roaches fall to their blades. She cleans off her blade, quickly retrieves her bow, and looks for her arrow. She finds it nearby, the arrow head still intact, and then slips it back into her quiver.
She picks up the brooch and examines it; however, she is not experienced in appraising the value of items and is unsure at to its true value. She shrugs and offers it to anyone else that might be more experienced with such skills. "Is anyone badly injured?"
Alesie moves to grab the brooch from Kyra.
"Well it certainly seems out of place in any case." Nari mentions curiously.
"I suggest we move out of here soon. The sounds of that battle are sure to attract other creatures."
Alesie thinks the broach is worth between 150-250gp.
"It would seem that whomever this camp belonged too isnt about, and with all of these pests i cant imagine why." Kelden began dryly glancing at the bauble. "If everyone is okay I say lets continued on, the more i spend down here the less comfortible i am." He finished letting his eyes run over his new found companions to make sure no one looked more injured or needed healing.
Kyra glances at the piles of bones. "I believe the 'whom' you speak of, dear brother, lays there." she points at the bones as she steps closer to see if she was correct, or if the bones were merely the remains of other creatures.
She kicks pieces of roach from her path as she approaches. "I pray to The Everlight that I never have to go below the ground again once we find our way to the surface. Naught but giant, disgusting bugs in the dark... What next? Rats the size of ponies?" She shakes her head as she kneels before the bones to examine them.
The bones appear to be of a large rodent. Teeth marks are visible on some of the larger bones. One could easily guess it was the remains of a meal for who or whatever made this camp.
Continuing on, you reach another fork in the tunnel. One leading off returning towards the fist cave you were in. The other wanders farther west.
"I dont suppose curiousity ... He paused and shook his head. The last path had giant cockroaches, who knew what that path held. "Do we want to check the other side in case there is someone possible hurt there of continue on. I frankly just want to be down with these tunnels."
Looking around, Farak voices his opinion.
"As much as I'd like to be out of this place as well, I would hate to have something dangerous follow us. Perhaps would should check the path behind us."
"I agree with our dwarf friend here, being stalked through the tunnels is not particularly something I would be interested in happening." Alesie adds.
"It won't take us that much longer." Carilain agrees that checking the other passage back to the cave-in would be prudent.
A stone ledge juts out at a right angle on the south wall of this cavern, fourteen feet off the ground. The leather strap of a backpack hangs from the edge of the ledge the pack looking full and heavy, while above, a narrow fissure yawns up into the dark.
Alesie takes a look at the pack. "I think I can grab that."
She takes a running jump at it, just barely coming short of grabbing the pack.
Looking at the ledge, Alesie instead attempts to climb up to the pack
Kelden watched them almost frowning as they went for the pack. "Be careful now it wouldnt do to hurt yourself for a pack." He began a tad bit of worry in his voice. After all, If they fell and broke something there wasnt much he could do besides try to set it much like with Anevia's leg. They didnt need more hurt people.
A crusader's pack fell into this cavern during the battle on the surface.
The rift closed, but not before the pack came to rest on this ledge.
Alesie manages to scale the slippery rock surface to retrieve the pack.
Treasure: The pack itself is a masterwork backpack that contains 10 days of trail rations, a flint and steel, a set of caltrops, two flasks of oil, a bundle of 12 arrows,and two different potions.
Carilain casts detect magic once again, after Alesie brings down the pack. He quickly determines that the two small bottles contain a fluid of magical nature.
These are both for curing injuries. This one for wounds." Carilain holds up the potion of cure light wounds. "And this one for deeper injuries." Carilain indicates the potion of lesser restoration.
"This pack will help us survive. Good job Alesie."
"I believe one of you should keep the potions then, on some chance I fall or am wounded. Indeed that was well done, A shame there is no way up here i suppose we shall have to go deeper and the Dawnflower willing, we will find a quick way to the surface."
When Kyra spots the trail rations she smiles. "Sarenrae will provide. It is well we have food now, as I have none with me. That pack is of excellent craftsmanship, who has need of it?" She looks around at the group. "For the potions, perhaps Farak should hold the healing potion. The other, perhaps it could be used to heal one of our companions' injuries?" She indicates Anevia and Aravashnial.
She looks upward with a sigh. "Indeed, Kelden. If only such any easy path were available to us. Speaking of paths, we should be on our way again soon. I grow weary of this darkness."
At the talk of the healing potion, Farak shrugs.
"Aye, I'm mighty tough, but this'll keep me standing longer."
Alesie looks longingly at the backpack. "Unless anyone opposes I wouldn't mind taking the backpack. Anything that can help relieve this weight off of me slightly is good in my views.
Alesie secures her new pack, spending a moment to transfer her gear. Once finished she asks the rest of the group "Shall we go back the way we came, to that fork we just passed?"
Alesie turns to head back to the fork they came upon earlier.
Upon arriving at the fork Alesie waits for the group to catch up and then continues along down path leading to the west.