Udoeak drops his sword, swatting away a few of the larger rocks that come down before they do any damage, and takes out his sling, loading it. Alright, we can try that.
Stellan
Warren grunts as the next avalanche of rocks hits him. Unable to dodge, he just protects the cup to make sure at has only his blood in it.
"Let us see how much I need to give, or if this solution is even correct. Keep your eyes for danger, I am almost done."
Andrei's throws the lighted stone up into the darkness above. As it reaches the apex of its flight, the party manages to catch a glimpse of two of the creatures hovering near another ledge about forty or fifty feet higher up. Their wings beat furiously as they claw and scrape at the edge of the ledge and areas of weakened or loose rock which rain down upon the party. One of the creatures is clearly wounded while the other appears to be healthy and unharmed.
Vinur yipes as he takes damage from the falling rocks.
2 pts damage to Vinur.
"Mobats, they're Mobats. They- what your hurt Vinur." Stellan checks Vinur over quickly. He then picks Vinur up and gives him to the nearest person that is sheltered. "Please hold Vinur, he should be small enough to fit."
Stellan steadies himself, calmly now he says, "Mobats are large beasts of mettlesome magic. Usually in groups of six or so, not known to be smart, these are oddly intelligent."
"One of the Mobats appears to be an elder. He has many battle scars. That one is unhurt, if he is taken out their morale might break."
That's sure what it looks like, Stellan.
Whatever we do, we've got to do it quick. If they keep bringing down rocks, it could trigger a much bigger, more dangerous collapse. If those rocks fall, it's possible that all of us could die.
Imon fired on the scarred beast, as Stellan had pointed out. "I can't see anything, what's causing the rocks to fall? He said as he readied the shots.
Andrei nods to Stellan and Udoeak, "We better keep going then, if anyone has a way to disrupt them this would be a good time to use it. Andrei says this time pulling out a coin from his pouch and casting light.
"How long can it take to fill a cup with blood."
Warren desperately squeezes as he feels a chill from the loss of blood. He shivers and clutches the cup close to him.
"Erastil, I beseech you to take this sacrifice freely given!!"
"It is not a sure way, and may do no more than buy us time, but we shall see what this yields," says Anwel. The sound of rock clattering against rock seems to deepen to a bass rumble, and though the number of shingles falling remains the same, from high above comes the whistling and roaring of pounds upon pounds of debris. Anwel hopes that the mobats will take shelter from what they believe to be their hoped-for rockslide. Maybe if they do they will reveal themselves. And even if they do not reveal themselves, a little time with no rockfall may be what Warren needs.
Seconds that seem like hours pass as Warren finally fills the cup with his own blood. Moving to place the offering back within the alcove Warren catches a glimpse of Udoeak, Imon, and Anwel as they attempt to drive the mobats away from the loose rock above.
The stone from Udo's sling strikes the creature right in its wing joint. With its right wing out of action the creature tumbles and falls into the darkness of the cavern below.
Imon lands one solid hit, but with the loss of its companion the creature simply redoubles if efforts until the noise from Anwel's false rockfall
echoes throughout the cavern. As the rumble grows, the creature flits away from the edge and disappears into the darkness to wait for the results of its effort.
While Anwel's illusion fools the mobat, the rain of debris slows and soon comes to a stop. This allows Warren to easily slip the cup into the alcove. Heartbeats pass with little effect until suddenly the runes and inscriptions turn from a dark red to a bright silver. With the change in color comes a deep grinding sound as a five foot section of the solid cavern wall at the eastern end of the ledge slides back revealing a new passage.
"Ah, excellent. Thank you, Warren," says Anwel, squinting a little in the sudden light. It reminds him of the light that shone from the tent the day Thad had received his summons to this place; like that light, this one seemed to chide him. "I should offer to heal you," he says, a little defensively, in response to its prompting, "But we both know my talents do not run that way. Instead, may I suggest whoever does undertake that task do so while we walk? The mobat may come back and try to collapse the roof again if it sees us. This route will serve us better when we want to return to the trading post if it remains unblocked." Anwel takes a tentative step towards the threshold, stopping to give Gorax and Udo a wide berth.
"Yes everyone in quick, Warren's sacrifice can be fixed on the other side." Andrei says leading the way into the new opening then waiting once he has gone about 50 feet in and checks to see everyone else is alright.
Imon waited for everyone else to go first, and then backed into the new tunnel behind them with an arrow nocked and pointed upward, watching for the return of the mobats.
Warren grabs the cup if it is no longer needed to keep the way open.
He follows later.
Stellan gratefully gives Vinur to Gorax, "Thanks, Gorax that will help. Better see if anyone needs my help- wait it's opening." Stellan will wait a bit for the others to get through except for giant Udo, "Think I best go ahead of you, Udo, I'll never squeeze past you. When we get to a bit better position I'll tend to anyone injured."
Udoeak lets the others go before himself. " Never expected you to, Stellan. Now get going, I'll bring up the rear."
The mobat lets out a loud screech as it realizes what is happening. Unfortunately it is too late and misses Udo by several feet as the enlarged elf squeezes into the narrow corridor. A minute later the elf shrinks back to his normal size and easily catches up with the others a little further ahead.
Unlike the other tunnels, this corridor is not a natural cavern. The stone walls are smooth cut and maintain a five foot width as the dark passage gently follows and upward path.
After a solid hour the winding climb comes to an end as the bright light of outside can be seen shining from another opening not far ahead.
Warren stumbles along, holding the cup of blood in both hands.
"Light!"
Before going further Andrei turns back towards his companions "Before we go further I suspect all of got at least a little hurt back there. Warren and Stellan can you check to see who needs healing magic and give it to them, I can help out with the magic but I suspect both of you will be better at working out who needs it."
Stellan runs with the rest of the group, when it pauses, he is about to inquires as to the injured when Andrei speaks up. "Of course Andrei, just getting to it. [b]"Who is hurt, speak up things will get worse."
Stellan is willing to use his once a day per person Healing Hex on any who ask for it. He checks over Vinur and bandages him a bit but doesn't see a need to magic him well.
Battered by rocks and still dripping blood, Warren raises his hand will he holds a cup full of his own blood.
"I am not ashamed to speak up. I need healing."
Tuney and Montey squawk excitedly on reaching the outside. They immediately explore curiously.
"I am all right. I suppose I can stand watch." Imon said as he proceeded to do just that.
Udoeak shakes his head. I'm fine. I suppose I'll keep an eye out, myself.
The party approaches the opening and the steps out onto a narrow ledge. The sun is high in the sky and the light is nearly blinding after the hours spent below ground. The ledge overlooks a small hidden vale only a few hundred yards in diameter and surrounded by tall cliffs. Sunlight glitters upon the surface of a spring fed pool of water and the strong, sweet scents of fresh water and earthy forest drift in the air. A narrow path switchbacks down from the ledge to the vale floor most of which is obscured by several huge trees. The tops of the massive giants must stand well over three hundred feet above the ground. It is difficult to tell, but it seems that the trees from a perfect ring around the center of vale.
Near the opening to the ledge is another small alcove similar to the other two already encountered. A pictograph of an elk's head surrounds the alcove but there are no other inscriptions or runes.
Andrei marvels for a moment at the sight before turning to his companions. "Do you think the alcove is for that cup you are carrying?" He have a quick look around for other clues. Warren has anyone else been here recently?"
Stellan heal Warren with his hex.
Healing Hex:
"I think that will do it, Warren."
Stellan trails most of the group through the oppressive tunnels. This is not an environment he is familiar with and doesn't like the feeling of being out of place. He breaths a sigh of relief as the group breaks free of the tunnels and into the blinding sunlight.
Stellan hears Andrei's request, though not aimed at him he tries to scout the area moving to the front of the group.
What's here.
What tracks are present, numbers, and where to?
Between the blinding light and his disorientation from the long underground trip, Stellan is much less aware of his surroundings than usual.
Warren smiles as the healing magic overtakes him.
"Thanks for the help. Let us see if this cup does activate the alcove."
Warren examines the alcove as he places his cup of blood in it.
"I think this hidden valley is the secret we were meant to find. Just where is the Seed I have no idea."
After some thought: "I think that is a circle of trees. If it was druidic power, the center would hold some significance. Maybe we look in the exact center of these trees. I would also like to look at the spring too."
If nothing happens with the cup, Warren retrieves it and heads down to the vale.
"Let us see what is in this special place."
Warren is eager to be off down the trail.
When Warren slips the cup into the alcove there is a flash of silver light as the slight smell of fresh cedar and sage fills the air. Looking back in the alcove, the cup has disappeared.
Warren smile: "Glad to see the sacrifice accepted. Off to the vale."
Stellan looks over everyone to see if anyone else needs help. As his eyes adjust to the brightness of this verdant scene, he starts out on the trail and heads where it leads, keeping a wary eye out.
"Well done Warren, are you sure you don't need more healing, that was a lot of blood." Then smiling Andrei carefully makes his way down the narrow path assuming it does not look dangerously narrow in which case he'll take precautions first.
Udoeak follows behind on the trail, keeping an eye out, but feeling much better about the general open-ness of the area than the environment of the cavern. It's certainly a nice day, Udoeak says, concentration breaking a bit as his eyes wander over the scenery.
"Is it safe?" says Anwel, blinking furiously in the bright light. Unlike the others, he seems less well at ease in the clearing than he was underground. "For me, that is," he clarifies, gesturing at the now empty alcove. There is a possibility that merely stepping off the ledge will bring back the pain and his mistress' laughter. He bites his lip. "Because I would be happy to guard the cave mouth..."
The party carefully winds its along the cliff as the narrow trail makes its descent into the valley. The footing is steep and treacherous in places, but simply caution and slow going make it fairly easy to navigate.
The view continues to be rather pleasant as you descend to the height of the tree tops or about halfway to the vale floor. The open grassy area appears to be dotted with areas of white. Probably flowers or lighter colored stones.
It takes getting a little closer before it becomes easily apparent that those aren't flowers or oddly colored rock, but bones. Lots and lots of bones.
Imon was clearly impressed by the sights of the valley, so much so that he seemed to be distracted from keeping watch. "I wonder if there are any other ways into this place," He said, considering the possibilities.
Udoeak seems consumed in thought, concentrating ahead as he walks. After a little while, he sighs and says, "&!#@. This place may not be as safe as it first looked. The vale is riddled with bones, in the tall grass. I don't doubt that there's danger to be found there."
"Interesting. "
"Everything dies eventually? Maybe nothing has disturbed the bones after they died." he says hopefully.
"So it is not safe," says Anwel. "For anybody. But what makes it so? A creature that makes this place its home, like the pikkelyuk that attacked us on the trail? Or something about the place itself? It feels unfriendly." He pauses thoughtfully. "We should turn back. But we cannot. Shall we descend?" He takes a step towards the ring of trees.
|
"What's a few bones, this place is green and open to the sun, let's make the most of it. Can't we just camp down here, anything that doesn't want us here will make itself known, then we can deal with it. Me I think it's time for some food and relaxation, we've had enough hardship for the day." says Gorax lazily. He pushes the springy grass with his hand, letting it's green life give him comfort, the softness of the ground, warmed by the golden rays of the sun, make an inviting place to rest and catch up on a few of the 40 winks he's missed. "we can always explore in the trees later, tomorrow perhaps when the morning sun starts its ascent."
"I'd like to do nothing better Gorax, but time is not our friend, others are after what we are, and some may be ahead of us. If we can press on we should." Stellan checks the sun's position, what time of day is it. Can we make the center of the trees well before sunset?
Stellan checks some of the bones, trying to see what kind of creatures died here and how long ago.
What died here?
How did it die?
"Like me check to see what's going on with this, might get a clue."
As the party approaches the center, Stellan keeps a watch out.
The bones appear to be all manner of animals, both large and small that may have wandered into the area. It does look like some may have belonged to some kind of humanoid. Most show the distinctive markings of having been crushed or shattered by something with large jaws. It would have to be fairly large in size. At least that of a bear or griffon.
You also notice as you descend into the valley and move closer to the trees, the smell of cedar is mixed with a more musky animal scent.
Descending down the cliff trail takes a couple hours of careful, sweaty hiking, but nothing happens on the way down. Reaching the valley floor it is easy to see that the rich, lush vegetation has had plenty of fertilizer as the area is scattered with a vast array of bones.
A few birds chirp high up in the trees, but there is little sight or sound of other life here in the valley floor. Occasionally a breeze mixes a strange new smell with that of the cedar and grass. Something a bit harsher and heavier. It seems to grow stronger as you approach the stand of mighty cedar trees.