The space being cramped, Nothus takes a step to his right, getting in front of the bard and providing an opening for Blackleaf to attack. The cat tries to pull down the wight, giving Nothus a moment to observe how it defends itself before attacking.
for
Nothus hits Jelera.
Jelera will try to return the favor.
Neltji will hex the other creature with misfortune hoping for better success. Should she be successful she will cackle to extend the duration while taking a 5ft step back out of combat.
Nothus loses a level, while Neltji tries to hex Jelera.
Jelera is also not hexed!
The Blue Warrio does not like Neltji hexeing Jalera, and since no one else has hurt him...
Ndombe maintains his furious assault on the creature...
Melee
Nothus directs the cat to attack before he swings his staff again, hoping to destroy the wight before it drains him wholly.
for
for
for
for
for
Ndombe misses The Blue Warrior! Nothus finishes off Jalera.
Cevill carefully moves 5 ft away and attacks!
Cevill wounds The Blue Warrior!
Neltji steps back and gives guidance to Nothus in case he gets hit again and needs to save against the ghoul's attacks.
Neltji casts guidance on Nothus as the Blue Warrior attacks Nothus.
He misses.
Ndombe continues his attack...
Melee
Nothus watches the Warrior move, even as Blackleaf attacks the beast, before swining his Quarterstaff.
for
Ndombe wounds The Blue Warrior while Nothus misses.
Cevill will try to keep his distance and attack.
Cevill kills The Blue Warrior!
Jelera wears a silver chain with a key around her neck, which opens a rusted strongbox in this cave.
The Blue Warrior wears a small locket of tarnished silver, engraved with the initials F. C. and containing a faded portrait of a kindly looking man holding a small child.
The orb is still glowing!
Ndombe will cast detect magic and take a look at the various items:
Silver chain
Small locket of tarnished silver
Orb
Whatever is in the strongbox
Neltji tries to identify the orb and determine if there is any way to power it off or at least make it dormant.
know arcana
detect magic w/ spellcraft
Not having a clue as to what may be needed at this time she focuses her efforts to fulfill her obligation to Athyra by retrieving the locket they found on one of the undead creatures.
Nothus plants his staff on the ground and leans against it as the adrenaline passes and he realizes his weakness. "Well, that didn't go as well as I'd hoped."
The chest holds the mine’s payroll of 500 gp and a bone scroll case with the deed to the mine. Athyra Crinhouse is named next of kin in the deed.
There is nothing magical about the chain or locket.
The orb is teaming with negative energy, but you all feel it can be destroyed.
When the discovery of the deed is revealed Neltji exclaims aloud, Well that would explain why her father wanted to run back in here. He knew who had rights to it and if it was profitable, it could have set up Athyra for life. Unfortunately, he paid for his decision with his life and let Athyra to be parentless for the remainder of hers.
As for this orb I do not know what it is all about. We could try and destroy it by brute force or we could cover it and take it with us for future studying to see what it exactly is. At this point I don't konw which is the better option.
Looking at Nothus slumped in the corner Neltji moves over to him and checks him over.
heal check
"I imagine you city people will want the coins, but the rest of that is dross, and we should leave it behind."
Nothus says, "Not loving negative energy... and it's likely responsible for what's happening... but I'm worried that it might be containing something, and letting it out might be worse."
He shrugs, "I'm the wrong guy to ask, though."
"Can the ord be picked up and thrown into the ocean? Or, I can shoot it a bunch."
The Blue Warrior, a creation of the orb's negative energy, seems to be having some of his wounds close!
Ndombe will go and whack the blue warrior a few times.
Ndombe returns the Blue Warrior back to dead and the orb continues to glow.
Ndombe places the orb on the ground and starts whacking it. "It's an evil item, let's destroy it," he says as he continues...
1HP of damage to it
1HP of damage to it
It's now down 2 HP!
Nothus nods, "Ok, then.", and begins to smash it with his staff.
Between Ndombe and Nothus, the orb is destroyed. You all exit the mine where you see Athyra and Jaji waiting for you. She looks surprised. You're alive! She stammers.
"How did you get here so fast? I thought the path through the maze was the quicker path?"
Nothus smiles, "We are. We're tougher than we look."
Athyra smiles. Jaji and I are used to this. This is our home. We are very comfortable in it. Some of you seem to be likewise, but some of you look like they are not.
Athyra, it is good to see you again! We could have used your help down in the mines but thank Gozreh we made it out in one peace. I do think Nothus is a little worse for the effort though as one of the creatures hit him and seemed to sap some of his strength. The creature that hit him was wearing a necklace. I have it here.[b] Pulling the necklace out of her pack she shows Athyra. [b]There is a picture inside the locket but it has some initials on it.
I am sorry to say that I believe that your father died while trying to recover a lockbox in the mine. He was found near a strange glowing blue orb that was the source of all the undead trouble. I am sorry Athyra.
Ndombe gives Neltji a very stern look. "We will discuss this later."
Cevill watches the story unfold, taking quick notes, "Hmmm, lost family, heroes recover and heirloom (locket this could be more exciting, but I like the sentimentality)."
Athyra opens the locket and sees the picture and tears start welling in her eyes. Thank you for this. You have done me a great service. I will either help guide you or your caravan. Whatever is your choice.
Neltji looks to Ndombe questioning what he means about needing a talk later. If you insist I will always be happy to talk with you about anything you feel is a pressing conversation. What is it that we are going to be talking about?
When Athyra gives her offer of help Neltji jumps at the idea. While I would love to have you be with us and your friend as well I think having you provide a safe and secure passage for the caravan is most important. As you can see we have taken care of ourselves already. I do not know how well the caravan is faring and how much help they will need.
Athyra thanks you all...well most of you..for returning her locket and her a Jaji will go back and meet the caravan to guide them through.
You emerge from the salt mine at the edge of the M’neri Plains, a broad swath of savanna that stretches to the horizon. The plain extends for almost 200 miles to the River of Lost Tears.
At this point on the trade route between Eleder and Kalabuto, a number of traveling merchants have made camp and set up an impromptu arena for cockfighting, a popular pastime among both the merchants and their guards and porters. On a good night, bets can climb above a thousand gold pieces, though goods and other valuables are often accepted as payment.
The fights are run by “Rickets” Perga, a slender and sickly looking Garundi man who claims to hail from Rahadoum. Rickets keeps a number of coops within a decrepit wagon drawn by two nags. Nearby, a ring has been cleared and caged off to serve as the cockpit.
The merchants welcome you to their camp and ask you to spend the night.
"Anyone know anything about cock fighting?
Arriving at the clearing Neltji lets out a, Whoop, we made it guys! And we did it quicker than we thought by cutting through the mines. We have to be ahead of everyone else now. Nice job everyone!
At the merchant encampment Neltji is quite curious as to what is all going on and tries to get as close to the ring as possible. I have no idea Cevill but let’s go take a look! She grabs his hand and drags him along as well to see the spectacle. Asking around since the ring is empty, she gets the name of ‘Rickets’ and tries to find him. So what is this cock fighting all about? I have never heard of it before. How does it work, what’s the rules, who provides the cocks and how does one win?
Nothus winces and says in a low voice, "It's violence for the sake of violence. A more acceptable bloodsport because they're only chickens. Generally, the loser is injured enough that it won't survive."
He grips his staff more tightly and moves to join the others.
Ndombe chimes in, "I am not unfamiliar with this." He smiles. "When I was a boy, we would regularly find like animals from the forest and pit them one against the other. Why, this one time Jagdye thought he had a champion speckled forest clucker, until his bird was destroyed by my own golden feathered snake digger."
So what is this cock fighting all about? I have never heard of it before. How does it work, what’s the rules, who provides the cocks and how does one win?
Rickets smiles a smile filled with rotting teeth. It really is quite simple. Tonight Cornugon and Muddy Lyza will face off. You bet on one and if that bird wins - you win. If your bird loses, then your pockets will be a tad lighter. He points to two cages that holds the birds. There they are. Take your pick, but don't dally!