Kreig scratches at his beard and sighs and holds up a hand. "Awright, awright. But we do it smart. Put some distance 'tween us so's we don't get snatched up in a bear trap." The gears and cogs of his old thief mind begin to spin. "Yup, like the Broadhurst job...had a mage with us back then, could toss a whisper like you. We broke the team inta leap froggers..." He stoops down to draw in the dirt. "I tip toe in first, go north side. You come in after 15 ticks, go south side. This way, we ain't gettin' smoked at once. Meanwhile, you set up the whispers 'tween me n' you aaannd...." He looks back to the group. "...and Tel'. That way if one o' us goes down, the other can holler."
He stands up and dusts off his hands to see if that works. Then he nods to Misha to make with the magic time.
(add 20 if Invisible)
"BOTH of you be careful. And if you can spare it, include me in that message spell? You'll need backup if things get ugly....." Telman gives a grin. "...from a distance. On my best day I sound like an avalanche compared to you two."
Misha nods at Krieg, satisfied. "If you have to break the invisibility, keep your potion at hand so you can return to it quickly. This should last a little under 10 minutes but that should be more than enough time to do a search loop."
Misha casts message first, which actually can affect the entire party, and she makes it do so.
She then casts invisibility on both of them ().
She waits 15 seconds, counting carefully, then sweeps around toward the south side, as Krieg described, quietly whispering via her spell she is off.
While they go scouting, Therena returns to Rikar, takes a deep breath, and casts another spell.
She gasps through gritted teeth, and casts again.
Then again.
That puts him back to 11 Strength. "That's...that's all I can do. Excuse me a moment."
Therena stands up and wobbles over to the doorway, where she leans against the frame.
Rikar listens to Misha and Kreig discuss the best plan for some reconnaissance, their friendly banter easing his intense frustration to some degree. When they've settled on an approach, he can't help but admire how they move off without a sound - just as he can't help but wish he were able to go with them and lend a strong arm if needed.
They only have to scout the area because I'm too weak to be of any use, dammit, he muses bitterly, grinding his teeth as much as his feeble strength will allow. He's distracted by these thoughts as Therena approaches and lays a hand on him, sending a surge of energy through his body, followed by another and another. He grits his teeth in a different fashion altogether as the healing energies rush through him, and he stands enthusiastically, taking deep, contented breaths.
"Therena," he says, "thank you, thank you. I'm not quite my normal self, but I feel I could at least lift a weapon if the need arises. I'm sorry it cost you so to help me." As he speaks, Latys nudges her broad head against his knee and purrs deeply, glad to see Rikar back on his feet.
Moving into the open area, Kreig follows the northern wall and smells something noxious, and his knowledge of poisons tells him that the odor is from poisonous gas that seems to be seeping up from the ground.
Misha meanwhile follows the southern wall, and comes to an area where there are two very large spider webs. Peeking around the corner she sees a drow dressed similarly to the drow wizards that you had encountered a few minutes ago, and a large creature that looks part spider and part dragon. They do not seem to notice you.
The rest of the party can hear Misha gasp via the message spell as she sees what she sees. Of course they'd be here, she thinks to herself.
She sizes up the drag-der -- just how "large" is large? Do they both look in good health? Are they interacting/waiting/eating/sleeping? Can she tell anything about the dragon type, if relevant?
She takes few steps back and whispers as quietly as possible. "Found the drag-der and its maker."
Kreig wraps a piece of cloth about his face and retreats from his position, holding to the north wall. "Poison gas, Northside. Can't back up here in a fight...gettin' clear now..."
At the news from Misha, he grinds his teeth. "Best come back, I can leave a trap at the hook...give us a warnin' in case they try n' get frisky with us..."
(last wolf trap)
When Rikar hears Misha's message that she's found the spider-dragon monstrosity, he drinks down the potion she left with him, hoping to be ready should it come to a fight. When he hears Krieg say that he's found poison gas, Rikar knows he's made the right choice.
"Like Josef says, we're in no condition to fight something like that. If we can avoid them we should....." Telman turns to look in the direction the drow went. "Or can we catch up to them and let them know? Its more their fight than ours."
"Okay, falling back to the hook. Kreig, will cover you while you set the trap," Misha whispers via her spell, carefully and quietly backing away.
When she gets further away and toward where she thinks Krieg is, she mentions something that occurs to her. "Did you say gas? Because that dragon is red, and if it breathes fire and lights up the gas... well, that could be good or bad..."
She then replies to Telman, "We're not in that bad condition. If Rikar's somewhat healed up, the rest of us really didn't take much damage and those of us with spells still have most of them. But I'm not keen to pick unnecessary fights..."
"Gas? Flammable? That may be of use, but if the creature is red dragon blooded, I doubt the heat will seriously impede it."
"I wasn't thinking it'd stop the creature itself, but it could hurt US if we're not careful, but on the other hand might burn out all the spider webs and such in the area... if not the drow wizard too."
As the conversation turns to tactics, Telman keeps his eyes trained on the eastern passage while whispering through the enchantment. "How exposed are we here? We want to fight that thing on our terms but if it comes around the corner and sees us all our thinking and planning goes to sh17......"
"Poison gas and spider-dragons?" Rikar exclaims, "This place just gets weirder and weirder. But don't you wonder how those dark elves just wandered past the drag-der and its maker? It's just around the corner."
He looks around the great, dark cavern a moment, then says, "Anyway, I'm thinking I like Telman's idea, see if we can catch up to the darklands folk who just came through, and tell them we found what they're after. Could save us a fight, and maybe make us some allies, if they can defeat the drag-der. And if they can't, it'll be weaker when we have to fight it."
Gesturing back the way they came, he says, "I'm strong enough now to climb back up that chasm we came down, we could look for the drow up there and rest up a bit, without being quite so exposed."
"I have a feeling they were hoping we'd deal with it for them." Misha says, having fallen back. "Drow do not have a good reputation. They're not stupid so they're not going to blindly attack us, but I wouldn't put it past them to see if we'd fight their quarry, and then they'd come back to kill whichever side won while it was still in a weakened state."
"On the other hand, this thing isn't and should be our problem--we COULD go back--if we see the drow in the tombs we tell them we found their quarry. If we miss them--fine. If I recall we did not explore all of the Deep Caves further above and maybe we'd find a way out of the mountains. Much as my more curious nature would love to see Sekamina, we have a mission in THIS mountain, not the realms below."
She adds after a moment of thinking. "And if we don't run into the drow, we can leave them a note. Not to mention, hopefully Krieg's traps can slow the drag-der and its maker down."
"Very vibrant imagery," Therena comments, rejoining the group. She pauses to wipe a bit of blood from her nose, then says, "We should avoid those two for now, I'd say,but not forever. They aren't our problem yet, but unless these caves are their idea of a romantic getaway, they will likely continue moving up, and eventually become our problem."
Misha examines the foot, sighing. "Well, we can be confident they won't stab us in the back. But you'd think underground dwellers like drow would know how to avoid a cave in. Perhaps they were fleeing from the drag-der rather than seeking it out?"
"And here's the problem. That's our main way out. We can go back down, deal with the monster if we have to, and see if there's another way out... but if not, we've got to find a way to clear out this mess. Too bad we don't have a way to call in help from Ground and the dwarves in the mines."
Misha looks at the others. "What do you think? Especially Krieg, you'd probably know best of us how to deal with a cave-in."
Lot of walking for nothing.
Telman looks around at the group as they assess the cave in. "Well, looks like the only way out is down?" He turns to look the pile of rubble up and down. "Cuz I don't think we've got the firepower to go through......"
"Looks like we're not going to be resupplying anytime soon. And this guy," he gives the protruding foot a kick, "Didn't even have the courtesy to die closer to the edge so we could take his gear. Since HE no longer needs it."
"How bad off are we?"
"I know I say this a lot," Rikar says with a shake of his head, "but Mishinika is right. Our only path now seems to be down. I'm no miner, but I'm guessing it'll take ages to clear out this cave-in, as big as that shaky cavern was. On the bright side, at least we weren't caught in it ourselves, eh?"
He pulls at some of the rocks around the now bare foot and says, "You know, Telman, I bet we could clear a little at this end of the rockfall, as you say. Confirm that this is one of the drow we met, maybe see if he or his buddies have anything useful to us. And I'll take a look on this side of the cave-in, maybe one of them survived it and left some tracks."
"I do have my dimensional travel spell. I couldn't take everybody though, but I could pop a bunch of us 500 feet or so somewhere."
Rikar looks around for tracks, but the only ones he finds are leading to the cave in. Looking at the rubble, there does not appear to be any way to remove enough of it to see the complete body, as most of the rocks seemed to come straight down.
"Wait... okay, if we need to go back up, I think we could try that cave to the east and see where it goes. It was pretty dark and creepy but went up as well as down. My main concern is making sure we have a way out."
Misha takes off her hat and wipes her brow. "Here's the thing: we've certainly fought nasty abominations before. It isn't good probably to let that thing wander around. At the same time, I feel like we're getting really off target--the efreet's still out there and we've still got more mysteries to find inside the mountain. Fiall's work isn't done. Rikar's not at his best and he's our heaviest hitter, and Therena's spent a lot of energy getting him back on his feet--for which we are all grateful. Even so, I expect we are tough enough to handle the beast if we headed back that way--at least if we have some anti-fire magic. On the other hand, it feels like maybe we should find a way out, report our findings to the dwarves to warn them about what's down here, and re-supply. We're obviously hitting areas that are loaded with strong poison, like the gas Krieg found, and Therena will be wiped out if we all rely on her to keep us healthy. Getting some potions and alchemical items may be called for. But resupplying also costs us valuable time."
She sighs, replacing the hat on her head. "Sorry I'm kind of just thinking aloud. I frankly just don't know what to do next."
Kreig pats with dismay at his tobacco pouch, realizing he's out of the priceless contents. As he listens to the others he instead explores his satchel fiddles with some of the vials and mixing powders. "Seems checkin' put that patch o' dark is our only shot. Otherwise we can either head north in that chamber o'er yonder n' see if we can find another way out thru the Darklands." He harumphs at the sound of that idea. "While we're there we can tell them twisted mushroom eatin' drow their kin got pinned under some rocks. I'm sure they'll jus' feed us ta some giant spiders or what not."
He sorts his satchel and snaps the buckles shut, careful to add back the cloth strip snob keep them quiet when he moves. Standing alongside Rikar as he inspects the dead drow...or at least what's left of him he spits to the side and chuckles. "Ya could have his hoof, Longshanks. I seems ta recollect them drow feet bring all sorts o' good luck..." He scratches at his beard in mock contemplation. "Or was it rabbit's feet that done bring the luck? Meh, it's one varmint or another."
"I'm fer checkin' the dark tunnels. Like ya said, Legs leastways there's a way up." He chuckles but it's a way of masking his uncertainty. "...course it could be a tunnel leeadin' right up a dragon's keester, but we gotta try. Even if we do end up a dragon's hoop, I'm wide n' pointy..." Kreig slips a pair of daggers out and spins then returns them. "...reckon the big lizard'll be poopin' ol' Kreig in no time."
"Well, let's get this walkin' buffet movin'. I'm keen ta get me some ale, a warm bed, and a new pipe n' tobaccee. I know things'll keep chuggin' along down here, that effin-reeti ain't gonna take a break while we get fitted up...but ain't ready ta tackle that red b++#+ or a numbskull drow gettin' his kicks by coaxin' a spider n' a dragon inta pumpin' babies out." He points towards the tunnel leading up (H2). "C'mon, Misha let's get ta scoutin'. You best tune up yer magic sniffer too. I'm wonderin' ifn we got somethin' makin' that tunnel darker than it should be."
Kreig moves forward, cautious of traps and what may lay ahead. "Gimme a 30 foot lead, Legs. Ifn there's another cave in or whatnot ahead, I got the quicks (evasion) ta jump outta the way. That cave in back there got me thinkin' we should be more careful..."
As he goes, he studies the cavern walls to confirm they've no fear of another cave in...
Rikar nods along as Misha lays out her thoughts, and then can't help but chuckle in spite of it all as Kreig makes his own colorful contributions to supporting the bard's points.
"One thought, gang, before we go tearing off someplace new," Rikar says, laying a hand on Kreig's shoulder as the dwarf prepares to go sneaking down the passage. "I'm in better shape than I was, but that doesn't mean we need to go haring off, even if we have this drow-rabbit's foot for luck, Kreig. How about we rest right here, where nothing's coming at us from behind and we know the lay of the land? I can get my strength back from just resting some, and Therena can pray up a few more spells to make me good as new. Then we set out up the dark tunnel to see what horrors it holds. Sound okay?"
|
"With the cave-in at our back and a good line of sight down that hallway, we are in a surprisingly defensible position here. Perhaps some simple early warning traps down below, or caltrops if we have any? My magic is only slightly spent, if we need to fight here I am able to contribute plenty. Although I am running low on arrows, it would seem."
"I'm trained tomb raider, Krieg, I'm a pretty quick dodger myself. We have whole classes in the academy about just avoiding rolling boulder traps. But if it makes you feel better you go on ahead--once we get moving anyway. I'm tired of lecturing you about the importance of traveling on the buddy system."
She nods at the others. "If you want to take it easy, then let's do it. While we're back in the tombs I'll take some rubbings of some of the friezes until it's time to sleep."
"Aw, hells bells, Longshanks." Kreig cracks his knuckles and rolls his neck. "I got myself all worked up fer some ale n' fine cheroot." He cocks a grin towards the big Shaonti and laughs. "But I suppose these old bones could use a rest before headin' back."
He gestures to Misha to put her haversack down so he can dig in to it. "Good ta know. I'm thinkin' you n' me are going into business when this is over." he sorts thru the pack. "I'll rig up some taps o'er yonder. Nothin' that'll go boom, mind ya. But I've been hankerin' for an occasion ta use some acid...reckon I can set a pendulum trap...baddie hits the thread, pops a pin that let's the flask swing down n'..." He slaps his hands together. "..SPLAT! Sumb+@!% gots a face full ouch, n' their pissin' n' moanin' let's us know we got company."
Next he retrieves a ring of keys and smiles at them in appreciation. "I'll set these up in random spots, no matter how sneaky, they'll hit one of 'em. Last..." He holds up an empty vial, waggling it back and forth. "Oldie but a goodie. Crush this at a choke point, dirtbag steps on it."
Kreig will set to work. First he'll sneak out and reposition the wild trap three squares to the right of the box that has (I1) on the I Map, right next to the cluster of rocks. Then he'll place the Acid Flask, swing trap right at the transition from the I Map to the H Map. Thread across the ground, dusty it with cavern grit, using pitons to lead to a spot on the wall to pendulum the flask across the entry way and catch the intruder. Then use the random brass and iron keys to make noise makers in the hall beyond the passage into H. Lastly, crush the empty flask and sprinkle on the ground.
"If some of us need rest then thats what we should do. Like you say, this is a pretty defensible position." The archer, knowing full well that a group at half strength is already half way to a defeat, makes sure to cover his companions as they make the preparations to hunker down for a while.
"By all means you want to form an expeditionary team, Krieg, I'd be happy to do that." Misha smiles. "Just make sure I know where not to trigger the traps when I come back from taking my rubbings."
Kreig pauses before slipping into the shadows, an evil grin on his face. "Expeditionary, heh heh, right." He chuckles and moves off. "Mebbe some expeditious liberatin'. You find the stuff, we liberate it, then who knows..."
Once done with trap laying, he'll let the others know where they are and will attempt to grab some Zs. He'll volunteer for one of the watches too.
The next morning Rikar feels very slightly stronger.
You head up the great pit, and after eight hours of travel, up and east you find yourselves in a small cave. Checking out the cave, you find that it has a well hidden entrance and when you search the area, you see that you are in the foothills just to the east of the Stonehold Fortress, so you head back to the fortress to rest, resupply and hopefully cash in what you want to sell, and buy additional items.
Therena does indeed use restoration to bring Rikar back to full.
Rikar is pleased indeed to be back to his full strength and under the light of the sun, and Latys vanishes into the underbrush, returning with her jaws bloodied and a satisfied, even sated, look on her face.
"A bit weary of dried meat, eh, girl?" Rikar says, running a hand down the cat's flank and giving it a solid thump, Latys' belly reverberating like a drum.
Reaching the fortress, Rikar begins to consider what else they should have as they continue their explorations.
As much as she loves spelunking and digging in old caves, she is grateful to see the sun after such a long time, and even takes off her hat to feel the rays on her face.
Back in Stonehold, she pens a quick note to her sister to let her know she is fine and another to the Venture Captain reporting any "personnel changes" in the expedition party--she can't remember even if they ever reported Dain's death weeks ago, as well as Sezira's, Redona's, and Borris's departures, their gain of Krieg, Therena, and Telman. She also reports Bromen's joining them and his death. She notes they have found a great deal and yet that, in her exact quote, "the central mysteries surrounding their expedition remain uncovered." She does not go into detail on their mission or what they have or have not found--especially as she remembers their mission was somewhat unofficial.
She also looks for the elder sages again to inform them of the passage they found to Sekamina, the drow that came from it, and the abomination one of them created.
She also of course helps shop.
Telman too is relieved to have sky over his head instead of stone. He follows Rikar on his restocking errands, also wondering what other tools he might be able to bring with them when they return below.
In the morning, all spelled up and all healed up, you head down to the area where you last saw the drow and its half dragon / half spider creature.
"So, do we head straight for where we saw the monster last, or go around it? Or, you know,plan C? Try to lure them to Sekamina? Burn out the poison gas? Did we buy gas masks? Why didn't we buy gas masks? Anyway, what's the plan?"