Kelden blushed slight for a moment, he had been distracted thinking of how to cross, of now nice it was to be so lithe and nimble that he had honestly forgotten about the scale. He used the scales power first to levitate Anevia across with her broken leg, Perhaps you could toss the end of the rope over Alesie so Aravashnial can pull himself along it to reach safety." He began preparing to use the scale to lighten the blind man so he could float to safety. He knew he could power the scale one more time to levitate someone across.. now the problem was whom.
"And what of you Horgus? Can you make the jump? Or would you prefer we lower you into the chasm and back up the other side?" Alesie asks while handing the rope to Aravashnial.
Hargus looks down at the girth of his belly and again at the crack in the stone. "Use your magic, I'd like a much to fall and get stuck then leap a gap like that."
"Perhaps then, With everyone as much as possible on the other side I could tie the rope off and attempt to make the leap myself, at least that way if i fail I wont fall to the ground, Dawnflower willing."
The young cleric began using the magic to send Hargus on his way. That just left their friendly mongrel ment to figure out.
Carilain takes his turn at crossing, with a running start, and a broad leap.
With little effort the tree Mongrel Men leap across the chasm, following Carilain.
Alesie hops back across the gap with ease, carrying the end of the rope with her.
"Alright, going to need a couple more people to help me hold this rope. No way that I'll be able to hold his weight if he falls." Alesie remarks.
With everyone over but him the cleric licked his lips and took a deep breath. He didnt look down, he didnt want to look down. Down was the faraway ground. He took the end of the rope and tied it up around his chest (just under his armpits. He took a deep breath to try and calm himself and said a quick prayer to the dawnflower.
{b] Are you all ready? Everyone get a good hold of the rope. Please." [/b] He added waiting indeed until they were all ready and he felt that enough people had the rope secure and possible tied off to something.
Kelden takes a running leap...
sailing farther then he expected and lands nearly on top of his companions holding the rope!
After using the magic of the scale and some skill in climbing/jumping, everyone makes it safely across the chasm. The tunnel continues along a mostly southeastern course for about 1,400 feet (just over 18 minutes of walking) before reaching a circular cavern. As you approach, the mongrels warn you that the cave ahead is one they now rarely use, for it has become the den of a particularly dangerous fungal creature he calls a "spore-cougher."
Lann's description of the deadly fungus as that of a basidirond. This strange man-size plant consists of four spidery stalks, long green tendrils, and an inverted bell-shaped cap filled with spores.
Lann assures you that, with their help, they should be able to defeat the monster and move through its lair-and if they're lucky, the creature's out hunting elsewhere.
"You're taking us into the den of a Basidirond?! Is there really no other way around? Taking injured through there just seems like a poor idea." Alesie cries.
Kyra listens attentively when she hears the mongrelmen speak of the creature in the cavern before them. "I'm not sure what a basidirond is, but Alesie seems to know enough about this creature. I agree with her that perhaps we should avoid the monster if at all possible..." She sheathes her scimitar and takes out her shortbow, not liking the sound of "spore-cougher" one bit...
She puts an arrow to the string of her bow, waiting on the rest of the group's input. "I can always send in my lights if the cavern is small enough to illuminate if the creature is in there, if no other path exists."
Given their harsh progress thus far, Kyra truly believes the cave-in they had witnessed is likely the only other path... 'Dawnflower, give me a sign you can hear my words this far below the ground....'
Lann confidently states "It is the only path left to us unless you can move several tons of stone. I like it not but with so many of us, it should not be a real threat. For all we know it may be out of its lair."
The tunnel opens into a circular cavern, roughly forty feet in diameter. Thick sheets of fungus grow in the cave, and several tunnels branch off. All of these save one in the north wall lead downward; the northern one leads upward. What appear to be two dead bodies lie on the ground in the middle of the cave, next to a strange heap of ropy green fungus.
Whatever this basidrond thing is, we shall overcome it. He began still a bit incredulous the jump was indeed that easy. He gave his sister in faith a gentle squeeze on the shoulder in support.
these spores, I assume are something bad. Does it fear fire? He asked taking the forefront.
Taking his cue from Kyra, Carilain gets his bow out. The elf uses the tip of an arrow to point out the ropy green fungus heap.
"Is that it? The what did you call it? The Basidirond?" Think arrows will kill it?"
Carilain whispers these questions to Alesie, hoping that basidironds have poor hearing.
Kyra nods at Lann's words. "I knew that is what you were going to say." She turns toward Kelden with a small smile and a wink, taking in the state of the cavern as she turns. She wrinkles her nose at the sheer amount of fungus and pulls a scarf up over her nose and mouth.
She notices the bodies and the strange heap. "One can only hope, Carilain." She whispers. "I'll send my lights in. Let us see how it reacts to them... Assuming that mass is the creature." Kyra wills her dancing lights to shoot into the room, directly above the bodies and the mass of fungus.
Lann and his companions are startled by the scene but are quickly relieved upon discovering that the "spore-cougher" is dead, and are eager to continue north to Neathholm. Both dead men are dressed as crusaders of Iomedae.
Kyra lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She places her bow and arrow back into her quiver and draws her scimitar before slowly approaching the scene, her blade leading. "What are crusaders doing down here? I wonder if they are survivors from the attack?"
She pokes the remains of the spore-cougher with her blade as she examines the fallen crusaders.
Carilain casts detect magic and gives the room a quick search. "I don't know, Kyra, but they saved us from having to fight this fungus thing, and perhaps they have some gear that will help us to fight on, in their crusade."
Picking over the bodies, you find that the crusaders carried a verity of equipment, most of it quite useful.
Treasure:
The men wore two masterwork chain shirts, and carried a potion of cure light wounds, a scroll of cause fear, and a belt pouch. The each carried a glaive and spiked gauntlet. Clutched in the stiff hand of one of the dead men was a small symbol of a brass bull's head with tiny red gemstone eyes (worth 50 gp).
Kelden blinked at the treasure they found and only frowned a little when he thought of looting the dead. But after a bit of thought he was sure they would want their gear to be used for the greater good. The scroll of cause fear gave him a moments confusion. It seemed a strange thing to have as did the small symbol clutched in the man's hand. It seemed a strange thing to hold in your hand when fighting deadly spore beast things.
I feel perhaps we should say a few words..." He said laying the bodies in a more resting position.
"What of this bull's head? Does anyone recognize it? It seems suspect for someone to die clutching something that is just an ornament..." Alesie ponders.
"I don't know much of Iomedae, but I can't recall ever seeing one of her disciples with a bull's head."
Looking over the fallen crusaders Alesie notes their fine looking armor and stares at her own studded leather. She carefully starts removing the chain shirts from the crusaders.
"Forgive me Iomedae if these truly are your followers, but I pray that their forfeit may help us in the coming days." Alesie intones, clutching at the symbol of Desna hanging around her neck.
Kelden says a few words over the fallen men, trying to remebmer what he has heard before up on the surface. It's slightly awkward but seems to feel right.
Alesie you've never seen a follower of Iomedae carrying such an icon nor do you recall hearing about it.
Kyra looks at the strange idol being held by the deceased crusaders and searches her limited knowledge to see if she recognizes it as an outsider symbol. "I hate to scavenge from the recently deceased; however, if they are true crusaders, I'm sure they would understand us acquiring some of their gear to assist in saving the city."
She looked to Kelden as she spoke, her voice sounding more as if she was trying to convince herself than anyone else around. "Right?"
Kyra notices Aravashneil... 'Perhaps the elven sage might know something of this symbol.' She takes the icon over towards the three extra party members. "Have any of you ever seen this icon before?"
With a slight pensive frown Kelden tries to recall anything such a symbol would mean. He sure Hoped Arashvianal has some idea. "I beleive their Iomedae would prefer us to take their gear and put it to use fighting the demons above us yes." He said to Kyra, and by proxy the others to ease their hesistation in taking the gear. "do any want their glaves and things as well?" He asked.
Kelden you don't recognize the symbol.
"Perhaps we can tell the families of these two brave crusaders what has happened to them. If ever we meet their families..."
"At any rate, they have no further use for this fine equipment, and that armor may save our lives."
Carilain shrugs. "My lamellar protects as well as those chainshirts. It's a bit more cumbersome to move in, but it seems like you two girls need it more than I."
If the bull's head ornament doesn't have a magic aura, it has no significance to the Magus.
Lann makes an off handed comment about there being more of them down here. As he turns to travel up the north tunnel.
After removing the gear from the crusaders, Alesie looks over to Lann.
"Well I'm about done with these caves. Shall we move on to your village? The faster we can be back to the surface and Kenabres the better."
"Others lann? other crusaders have fallen down here the attack?"
If they ran into other crusaders tht would make the trip to the surface a lot less dangerous, and secondly if they had a larger group when they got their they could make more of a difference.
Lann stops in his tracks, clearly unnerved he let the comment slip.
Lann looks about nervously, "We've seen others like them in the tunnels before. Lately, their presence in the tunnels has increased. They're not nearly as helpful as you all have been." He swallows hard before continuing. "They have some sort of alliance with a different tribe of mongrels -a bad tribe- that lives southeast of Neathholm."
"Crusader's of Iomedae allied with a bad tribe?! Something is wrong here, either with those crusaders or with these mongrelman we just helped."
Alesie slips back slightly from the mongrelman, unsure if perhaps they aren't the allies that she originally thought they were...
"Perhaps someone in your village will know of this bulls head symbol and can shed some light on this situation. I doubt that crusader's of Iomedae would ally with an evil tribe."
We may be walking into a giant trap but If these mongrelmen are evil, better to know now then have them chasing us through tunnels that we don't know and that they quite obviously do. Please don't let this be a mistake...
Kyra's heart was lightened by the thought of more crusaders here in the tunnels! She fiddles with the new chainshirt she had acquired from the fallen crusaders, trying to adjust the fitting. "Dawnflower provides, thank the light." When Lann suddenly stops and mentions the extra bit of info, her heart sinks back down.
"I agree with Alesie, something about this does not sit right with me... Lann, what can you tell us about these bad mongrelman?"
"Could be these 'Crusaders' are posers."
Carilain hunkers down. "It would be nice to hear more about this enemy tribe, and crusaders, though. If you would indulge us Lann?"
Lann leads on up the only ascending tunnel for the chamber. "The tribe is not like the rest of us. we honor our ancestors, and the cause they fought for. They, they consort with darker powers, and over the last few years, crusaders like the ones we found have been moving about down here their help..."
While he speaks, Aravashnial, interrupts him several times trying to ask more questions about his people. You can tell the scrutiny is starting to get on the mongrel's nerves.
Hargus is as contemptuous as ever and continually mutters to himself about the foul creatures.
"If what you're saying is correct, Lann... Then Carilain is right. That means..." Kyra stops midstride, too afraid to speak aloud her thoughts. "Kenabres has been infiltrated! That is likely how the demons were able to breach the city. Dawnflower save us..."
Kyra runs up to Lann, lightly touching him on the shoulder. "Wait Lann. First, thank you and your friends for your aide, but would you please answer a few more questions?" She smiles and brushes her hand across the elven-side cheek. (Assuming he agrees, if not disregard the following lol.) "Thank you, dear Lann."
"You said the other mongrelmen live away from your home, Neathholm? Do any of these other crusaders ever come through Neathholm? And do know a way to the surface? We must get back to Kenabres and warn them!"
While his sister in faith speaks with the mongrelman Kelden politely approaches both Hargus and Aravashnial. "I dont suppose either of you wise gentlemen could perhaps ease off our new friends here. They seem eager to return home and these dangers might be beyond their understanding. Im sure their leader might have more information. So please let the poor things alone for now. He said trying to get his original companions to stop perstering his new companions with questions or pointed comments.
Both Hargus and Aravashnial will comply.
Lann says that more questions would best be answered in a safer location and leads on at a brisk pace, stopping now and then to allow the injured to catch up.
The tunnel winds north for about 1,100 feet (about 15 minutes of travel) before reaching a circular, 20 -foot-diameter cavern. Four mongrelmen stand guard here before a large stone door. the guards greet their mongrel companions warmly. While they eye you with suspicion, Lann's word is good enough to let them all enter the chamber beyond the
door. Beyond the stone door lies the settlement of Neathholm.
A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundred foot-wide cavern, the walls and ceiling a glow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky on e-hundred -foot-wide Island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake's closest shore.
Your three new friends escort you to the largest building atop the island's low central peak-this is the home of Chief
Sull, a bloated and unpleasant-looking but mild-mannered mongrel with one clouded white eye.
Chief Sull listens to Lann's report and thanks you all. ”It has been a long time since we have met Uplanders who are as kind and understanding as you. We are in your debt for rescuing a member of our tribe. Please feel welcomed on our small city. Rest knowing you are safe from the dangers that constantly traverse these dark passages. Forgive me though I must ask. How did you Uplanders come to find yourselves so deep beneath the earth?”
Already used to ...speaking to the others Kelden stepped forward to explain their trials so far.
"To put it bluntly Chief Sull, demons attacked Kenabres' one maybe two days ago, destroying its wardstone and causing chaos beyond belief above. Even the Great Terendelev fell to their treachery, and in the chaos great chasms opened and filled. We all caught and saved by the great dragon as she(?)fell and have been trying to make our way above to do what we can ever since. There was a fallen temple we passed through about a day ago, that We have cleaned and consecrated again. Lann here has told us about these 'unfriendly' crusaders, some of us beleive they might be infilttrators that allowed the demons to make so bold a stroke. Any aid you folks have would be most appreciated."
He asked offering a bow to the chieftain.
"Thank you for the kind offer. Our time in these caves has been harrowing. It will be good to be able to rest."
Carilain is a cagey one, so he tries to gauge Chief Sull's motive as he speaks.
Once Sull hears your tale, he grows quite concerned. "You are not the first to bring me such news, only hours ago two others came with a similar tale of destruction on the surface. They are resting now and recovering form their own injuries. We thought, no rather hoped, that the horrors they had described we an exaggeration, but your own tale corroborates the dark news."
He and his kind, Sull explains, may be outcasts and freaks in the eyes of uplanders, but their ancestors helped drive back the demons in the First Crusade. He wants the demons defeated as much as anyone who lives above, and asks if you're willing to bring this message to the surface-that the mongrels will stand with the inhabitants of Kenabres to defend the city.
Kyra quietly lets Kelden to explain their situation, given that he has proven himself to be the most diplomatic of the group. Her heart lightens after hearing they will be allowed to rest before continuing upon their travels; however, upon hearing about the other survivors she cannot help but smile and whisper to Sarenrae. "Thank the Dawnflower, other survivors..."
Being a half-elf, Kyra feels a sense of kinship with the mongrelmen for the prejudice she is sure they are party to. She looks around her companions. "Chief Sull, we will gladly take your message to the surface! I for one, would gladly fight side-by-side with you and your people."
Suddenly Kyra began to feel how truly fatigued she was... the combination of the trauma of seeing the city fall, their lack of rest, and the constant fear of attack had worn the normally jubilant bard down. Her eyes were beginning to burn and her eyelids were so heavy... all the while her stomach began to rumble rather loudly. "I apologize, dearest Chief Sull. After our business here has concluded one of your people could direct us to the nearest Inn where we may find a hot meal and a warm bed? I cannot remember the last time I ate a proper supper." She smiles tiredly at Sull.
I really do hope these people are telling the truth...
Alesie listens intently to the exchange between her companions and Sull, becoming sullen as they recount the devastation of her home.
ooh a bed would be nice.
Alesie nods as Kyra asks for directions. "Would you also have anyone interested in exchanging some of the items we found down here for goods? I worry about what we will come to find when we return to Kenabres and feel we should prepare for the worst."
Even as fatigued as he was, other survivors intruiged him just a bit more. "I would meet these survivors, if you could be so kind as to pount them out to me. Perhaps they are in need of aid i could provide, Your offer to help and stand with the people above is welcomed too good chieftain." He said his heart fluttering on just the chance the off chance that one of the survivors was ce-eshna. he tried to tamp that hope down, it was a foolish one he knew but it was there slightly none-the-less.
"I think I'm too keyed up to sleep right now anyway. I'll go with you Kelden. I'd like to meet these people too."
Chief Sull goes on to inform you that the nearest route to the surface lies to the south, but this exit is guarded by a tribe of mongrels who do not have the same opinions as those of Neathholm. In fact, this smaller tribe, a group he contemptuously calls "the traitors," have consorted for some time with cultists. Chief Sull has ignored them, but that time has passed. If you agree to destroy the traitors as you make your way back to the surface to bring word of the mongrel's pledge to aid the crusade,
Chief Sull promises you aid in the form of a small stash of potions (six potions of cure light wounds and three potions of lesser restoration). His own soldiers, alas, he cannot spare-he needs them to fan out deeper into the tunnels to gather the other mongrel tribes to Neathholm. Once they receive word that the crusaders above will welcome the crusaders below, the mongrels will be ready to rise up and help take back Kenabres.
You can rest in Neathholm safely for as long as you want. The mongrelmen of Neathholm trade occasionally with other underground races and willingly accept both gold pieces and items in trade if you wish to restock or unload items you have little use for.
MARKETPLACE
Base Value 200gp; Purchase Limit 1,000gp; Spellcasting 2nd
Minor Items +1 arrows (8), + 1 buckler, ring of protection +1, earth elemental gem
Thetin sits up and wipes cold sweat from his face, the faces of his friends, as they screamed fading into the darkness, filling his mind.
Looks like I'll be remembering that.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, he begins putting on his scale mail.
Well before i deal with my new personal demons i'll need to head up and see what i can't do about the actual demons on the surface. First thing first i need to go see if any of Chief Sull's people have found any more survivors yet.
Strapping his weapons on last Thetin heads out of the building the mongrels put him in and down the street. Walking around a corner he sees a most welcome sight coming towards him, an elf and a human. Increasing his pace, Thetin approaches the pair.
"I am Initiate Thetin Dorvas of the Order of the Nine Moons. By the light of the forge, it is good to see some more people survived that fall and made it here safely."