You decide that you have had enough of this large cavern, and even though you would like to bury the remains of the fallen from Kenabres, digging in the rock would not be possible and even just covering them with rocks would take days to accomplish as so many of the rocks are really boulders.
Ezro and Hyram and others say a prayer of farewell to the fallen, and you decide what order to march in to best preserve life and have a chance of making it back to the surface alive. Ezro, puts a light spell on Hyram shield and then Quinn takes the lead, being the only one with vision that allows him to see in this pitch black, then then Anevia, Horgus, Aravashnial, Alikia, and Aladir.
Quinn heads along the northern of the two exits, and after about forty feet signals the group that he has found another cavern.
This smaller cavern appears to have once served as a campsite or temporary lair. A torn bedroll lies next to the cold remains of a fire. A pile of bones, broken equipment, and rubble lies just past the campsite.
As the remains of the campsite comes into view, Quinn pauses. After a moment, the lights and sounds of the more cautiously moving group begin to catch up, and Quinn moves forward, picking out more details of the ground. He lowers his spear as the pile of bones comes into view, cautious of any more vermin preying upon the remains of the dead.
Astonishing that someone would live down here as an outcast... That may have shortly been my fate had there been no catastrophe above.
Ezro holds his shield and sword at the ready, and keeping his eyes flickering towards the shadows, keen to catch sight of anything trying to sneak up upon them.
As they travel, he constantly mutters various prayers, and liturgies under his breath, trying to remain calm, and keeping his mind focused on escaping these caverns.
Attempting to crane her neck to see what was around the corner, Alikia quickly gives up. Between the cave's natural curve and the shadows, she was seeing as much as Aravashnial. Glancing back from where they came from, she pauses a moment to offer a prayer for the fallen. Loading her crossbow with a cold iron bolt, she scans the darkness behind them, attempting to ensure that nothing will take them by surprise again. The maggots were a nasty enough surprise without having a more mobile foe attack them.
Hyram sees Quinn stop and peer into the darkness. As Hyram and the rest of the party approach, the light from his shield reveals to Hyram what caused Quinn to stop. As the campsite begins to come more fully into the light, Hyram will whisper, Looks like a campsite don't know how old. He sees Quinn lower his spear and Hyram grips his sword tighter as a sleeping form comes into view next to the cold remains of a camp fire. Wait, it isn't someone sleeping but bones! Hyram will continue to cautiously approach the campsite, rotating his shield so that the light will reveal it.
Aladir stands at the back of the party, facing the direction from which they came, an arrow nocked to the string of his bow. He trusts that they are capable enough comrades to search the site on their own and that if they need his assistance, they will call. For now, it is better that he makes sure they are not being snuck up on.
Ezro UP
"Do the creatures in this cavern never cease in their revulsion?"
Ezro moves quickly up behind Quinn, saying a prayer to Iomedea for her guidance, and lays his hand upon the tieflings back, infusing some of that power into the man.
"Have faith. Strike true."
Maggots, spiders, and now cockroaches! Can giant mosquitos be far behind? Hyram mutters as he advances next to Quinn and readies an action to attack if one of the cockroaches approaches. Come on vermin! You will find no meal here!
"This hole is probably infested top to bottom with filthy, disease-ridden vermin," Quinn growls. "They may be the only thing more numerous than demons."
Ezro's power surges through Quinn as he steps forward and stabs the nearest cockroach.
Hearing the sounds of a scuffle up ahead, Alikia turns her attention from the darkness towards the campsite that Quinn has found. Unable to see very much due to the line of people, Alikia holds her crossbow at the ready, prepared to shoot the first sight of a non-friendly that comes into range. "You know, this foray has barely started, and I'm already done with bugs." Frowning as Hyram mentioned something about mosquitoes, Alikia frowns. Maybe she should have learned how to create a missile of force instead of one of her other tricks. 'Oh well, hindsight was always twenty twenty. Maybe Aravashnial has it in his spell book.
Hearing the sounds of combat, but having no way to reach and assist, Aladir will delay until just before the enemies have gone, urging those in front of him to move forward and allow him through so he can assist in the fight should it be needed.
Ezro UP
Filthy Vermin! Hyram grumbles as he takes a swing with his longsword at the cockroach .
Deciding that Aladir has the group covered from the rear, Alikia swiftly moves her way to besides Anevia. Barely taking time to aim at the cockroaches nearest to Quinn, she pulls the trigger on her crossbow, hoping her bolt finds its mark.
Ezro moves quickly to the side of Hyram and swings with his blade at the cockroach.
As the bugs charged him, Quinn realized he could not back away. Hyram was too far forward, and in danger of being flanked by the roaches. Quinn's spear was too long to use in close quarters, so he cast it aside and drew his sword.
The beautiful blade sliced down on the nearest cockroach.
Aladir takes a step backward into the square that Alikia had been occupying, his bow still at the ready, wary of an ambush on the injured party members at the back.
The cockroach tries to bite Ezro but misses.
Ezro and Hyram both swing and between the two of them, kill the roach.
Searching the area thoroughly, you find 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. The body in the torn bedroll has been thoroughly eaten and is just a skeleton at this point. The skull is misshapen, but definitely humanoid.
"Those were the biggest roaches I have ever seen. And that thing in the bedroll. Maybe it is one of those mongrels."
"Just because they don't look like you anymore doesn't make them less of a person." she mutters, loud enough to be heard, but trying to control herself.
Quinn picks up the copper broach, spinning it around and looking closely at it from all angles. "An odd trinket, don't you think?" he asks nobody in particular.
"And that thing in the bedroll. Maybe it is one of those mongrels."
"Just because they don't look like you anymore doesn't make them less of a person." she mutters, loud enough to be heard, but trying to control herself.
"Mongrels?" Quinn looks between the two. "What do you mean 'mongrels'?"
Aladir frowns upon seeing the skeleton, finding it very sad that anyone had to live and die in this lonely darkness. A memory suddenly coming to him, he turns to Anevia and pulls ten arrows out of his quiver, offering them to the woman. "Here. My apologies...I completely forgot that you had asked me for some earlier." he says to her.
Looking to Quinn, he nods. "Odd, indeed. I'm not sure that I'm familiar with that symbol. I doubt that he would've had it without it meaning something on a personal level, though."
Tilting her head to the side, Alikia frowns. She had eaten through two bolts in that fight with nothing to show for it. Glancing down at her quiver, she counted six left, not including the forty in her bag. She would have to start rationing it eventually, but for the moment, she should be fine. Picking up the fish hook, she turned it over a few times before her eyes widened. "A fish hook! Do you know what this means?"
Not waiting for anyone to reply, she excitedly continues, "It means that there must be a body of water nearby. No one just makes a fish hook." Glancing over the trinket that Quinn has, Alikia mutters a spell under her breath, and her eyes turn a more intense shade of green.
"Ezro, can you tell how long this... person has been down here?"
As Quinn spins the brooch around, Hyram will also try to remember if there is any religious significance to it.
Not remembering anything particularly religious about a bat on a mushroom, Hyram will try to recall if there is anything about the planes such a combination might signify.
Hyram shrugs and says to Quinn and Aladir.
I have no idea what that combination means besides the fact that we are likely to find both bats and mushrooms down here.
Ezro puts his sword and shield down beside him as he examines the corpse more carefully.
"Obviously been dead for some time to say the least." he mutters to himself as he examines.
Without looking up form his work he speaks towards Horgus, "My noble friend, I do suggest moving forward that you do not speak. You have yet to say anything of merit or tact. I believe the saying is, if you do not have anything nice to say. Do not say anything at all."
"Thank you. I feel so useless with this bad leg. At least I can help in combat with my bow."
"Well, that is what they are called" replies to Anevia, rather abruptly. However, to Quinn, he says, "they are descendants from the First Crusade. Our history tells us that the foul demon energies caused new born children to be deformed sometimes, and they were hunted and killed. The parents, mostly crusaders, took to underground and over time they mutated." To Ezro, "I will say what I want, when I want. No half breed tells me what to do."
"Hmmm, yes. Horgus has the right of it about the folks underground" the blind elf says.
"Well, that is what they are called" replies to Anevia, rather abruptly. However, to Quinn, he says, "they are descendants from the First Crusade. Our history tells us that the foul demon energies caused new born children to be deformed sometimes, and they were hunted and killed. The parents, mostly crusaders, took to underground and over time they mutated." To Ezro, "I will say what I want, when I want. No half breed tells me what to do."
"Hmmm, yes. Horgus has the right of it about the folks underground" the blind elf says.
Quinn looks off into the distance, though even his glowing eyes could only see so far in the distance. "I know something of being mutated by the powers of the Abyss..."
Quinn pockets the brooch. "If they are the descendants of the First Crusade, why are they outcasts? Shouldn't they have been cared for? Don't they deserve that much?"
He goes on to stir the ashes of the fire. "Nothing much to help us, here. Take the candles, if you need them. We need to keep moving. This is obviously not a safe place to camp."
Hyram agrees when Quinn says that it is time to move on. Like the bodies from the cave-in, Hyram will take a few moments and say some silent prayers over the bones. Horgus might not think the 'mongrel' deserves it, but Hyram feels differently.
If he has been dead only a month, maybe there are others and maybe they know a way out.
He will grip his longsword and his shield and turn to Ezro, I believe that the light spell that you cast on my shield will be expiring soon, perhaps you can ask the Lady of Valor for another?
With his shield glowing again, Hyram will take his usual position a few feet behind Quinn.
"It seems likely that there are others about. Aravashnial, what do you know of the other outcasts that may be down here? Are they aggressive against newcomers or explorers? Or do they maintain their dedication to fighting against the demons and cultists? Is it possible they could be allies in this now that the demons have overrun Kenabres?" he asks.
Placing the fishhook through her sleeve, so that way she didn't loose it, Alikia picks up the stumps of the three candles as well. Right now, they may have access to the light spells, but Ezro and herself would have to sleep sometime, and she would rather have an option of the candles when that time came. Returning back to her position near the rear, she awkwardly shuffles her feet, waiting on the others to move out. "I'm ready to go when you all are."
Nodding to Hyram, he quickly renews the light spell on his shield.
"He has been down here for some time. Aladir makes a good question though, can we count on any others as possible allies? Or perhaps guides?"
Retrieving his sword and shield, he took his place back in the middle of the procession and nods at Quinn, asserting his readiness.
"Well, they have not been heard of much, although they have been known to trade with surface folk on occasion. Since they are descendants from the First Crusade I would hope that they would want to fight the demons, but they have been very badly treated over the years, so I do not know for sure."
Forming back up into your marching order, Quinn leads the way and comes to a branch in the tunnels. One looks like it would lead back to the huge cavern you came from, and the other continues to the east.
"Well, they have not been heard of much, although they have been known to trade with surface folk on occasion. Since they are descendants from the First Crusade I would hope that they would want to fight the demons, but they have been very badly treated over the years, so I do not know for sure."
"Creating an alliance with them may be a valuable step towards retaking the surface from the Storm King," Quinn spits as he says the name. "What more do you know of these catacombs? In all my years I never even knew of their existence."
Quinn looks back down the western tunnel, and signals to Aladir. "I dislike the idea of something creeping up behind us. Let's check this out quickly, while Hyram carries the group forward."
Will do. Hyram responds to Quinn and he will carefully take the vanguard with his glowing shield providing illumination.
Aladir nods silently in response to Quinn's wishes, keeping an arrow against the string of his bow as he quickly comes to the tiefling's side. "Your eyes are better than mine in this darkness. Lead on, Sir Quinn. If you see an enemy, direct me to him and I will show him his presence is unwelcome."
Licking her lips as Quinn and Aladir vanished around the corner, Alikia follows nervously behind Aravashnial, attempting to keep an ear out for Quinn and Aladir, in case the two got into trouble. Frowning at the discussion of the survivors of the first crusade and their children, it causes the young wizards mind to spin. 'Would I have been one of these mongrels, if my parents hadn't left me behind?' It seems a shame that instead of helping them, they were forced to flee.'
"My birth parents were Riftwardens. At least, I think they were, on account of a stupid birthmark I've got. They left me with a foster family when I was less than a month old, so I'm not sure. I sometimes wondered what life would've been like if they had taken me with them." Alikia unceremoniously blurts out. Before blushing red and turning back to the darkness to scan for targets. "Sorry, this isn't the time for small talk."
Quinn and Aladir move quickly back along the southern tunnel and come to 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, while above, a narrow fissure yawns up into the dark.
Hyram leads the rest of you just into the tunnel heading east, and can just make out, with help from Ezro and the light from his shield, and widening of the passage way about thirty feet further down, so he stops and waits.
Aladir nods silently in response to Quinn's wishes, keeping an arrow against the string of his bow as he quickly comes to the tiefling's side. "Your eyes are better than mine in this darkness. Lead on, Sir Quinn. If you see an enemy, direct me to him and I will show him his presence is unwelcome."
"Well... no enemies. But, something of interest," Quinn points out the backpack strap. He sizes up the tall, but nimble elf. "Think you could make the climb? I'll give you a boost up."
Quinn laces his fingers to catch Aladir's foot.
Aladir nods, accepting the offered hand Quinn gives as he attempts to reach the backpack that is hannging from the ledge.
Moving forward with the group Ezro tries and keep track of all the shadows. His shield and sword gripped tightly. Turning slightly to raise an eyebrow at Alikia.
"The Inheritor always shows us our challenges in life." he says bemusedly towards her.
Stopping at the widening area he makes sure to check on the individuals who had fallen down with the group, encouraging them and trying to keep them at ease.
Recasting light onto her crossbow, Alikia glances down the dark path that Quinn and Aladir took. "Hyram, what's the call? Wait for Aladir and Quinn or continue on?" Nodding in acknowledgement at Ezro's comment, She attempts to keep her ear out for any unexpected noises coming from the other tunnel.
Using the boost provided by Quinn, Aladir quite easily climbs the wall and grabs the backpack, bringing it back down to the ground.
This is a quite well made pack, and 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 potions.
You can see that the tunnel continues about twenty feet and opens back up into the main cavern that you started in.
Hyram considers Alikia's question. As much as I would love to get out of this narrow passage and into the wider passage, it might be a perfect place where someone -or something might ambush us. We'll give Quinn and Aladir a few minutes to catch up. In all his time of seeking out Iomedae's enemies Hyram never had to spend any amount of time underground. He is beginning to regret not being better prepared, but then again, who could have been prepared for the tragedy that they witnessed? Return soon Quinn and Aladir, I am starting to not like the fact that the group is separated.
Hyram will keep an eye and ear out to be alert for anything coming through the wider passage.
Quinn digs through the pack briefly. "Rations, thank the gods! We'll sort the rest of this with the others, but at least we won't starve, tonight..."
"Aye, food is always a welcome find. The backpack looks similar to mine. The extra straps help distribute the weight better, so you can carry more than you might be able to otherwise. I can attest to the usefulness of a well-made rucksack. I may be able to help with the potions as well." he answers as the pair makes their way back to the rest. Taking each potion bottle, he will dip his finger into the liquid and taste just a tiny bit of it, hoping to discern the purpose of the magical elixirs.
Aladir and Quinn hustle back to the rest of the group, before Hyram has to decide whether to go forward or not. On the way back, Aladir manages to identify both potions by taste.
Cure Light Wounds (CL 1)
Lesser Restoration (CL 3)
The pack seems even better than yours.
"A profitable side trek," Quinn announces to nobody in particular. "Rations and other supplies. Invaluable if we don't immediately find our way out."
His smile fades as he notices the group stalled. "Something up ahead?" Quinn grips his spear tighter as he moves to the front of the group.
Hyram is glad when he sees Quinn and Aladir rejoin the group. He is even more glad when he hears that the trek resulted in much-needed supplies.
It looks like the passage starts to widen and it might be a place for an ambush. What do your keen eyes see?
Hyram will rotate his glowing shield to show Quinn where the passage starts to widen.
Quinn pushes forward, lowering his spear as he moves into the more open space.
"The potions are a basic potion of healing and a better-brewed potion of lesser restoration. I imagine they both will come in handy in the future." he explains to the others.
"If no one has a particular desire for it, I'd be glad to swap my current pack out for the new one we just found. Any of you could have the one I'm using now." he offered, since nobody had immediately laid claim to the found backpack.