She looks between each of you as you speak back and forth before resting her eyes on Kieran as he continues to translate their words. She nods to the Paladin and looks confused by this Elder Dwarf but when Kieran clarifies Tawn'Garth looks as if she were struck. She flags the soldiers who were about to leave and points them in the direction the party had come from. "Bring Pachi home." The Mongrelmen soldiers look downcast for a moment before heading off, once they were out of sight Tawn'Garth snorted at Ifri who stood and stalked off out the same direction Sinoa went. When he was gone she turned her back on the group and started to move in same direction.
She pauses at the stone opening. "Follow me. This place isn't safe... anymore."
Horgus grumbles "Disgusting, can we trust such creatures?"
"Oh please Horgus, you're a disgusting creature and we deal with you. Civilly enough." Anevia looks somewhat uncertain about the whole thing. She looks at the Mongrelfolk with a mixture of curiosity tinged with pity for their strange state.
Aravashnial exclaims excitedly at hearing the gutteral dialect. "What race are we dealing with now? They sound fascinating. Are they Pitlings? You know, Mole People~" The blind elven wizard can't contain his curiosity and continues with his annoying questions for some time.
I do my best to explain to Arabashniel all that can be seen.
The Thin Dwarves had a small pack filled with dried meat, preserved
fruit, and some moldy cheese (6 days of rations),
and a chipped 6-inch-tall marble statuette of a
humanoid throwing a spear. The statuette is worth
75 gp.
His spellbook, which is now partial burned, (10% chance of spell failure unless rewritten) contains detect secret doors, fog cloud, grease,
invisibility, resist energy, shocking grasp, and silent image.
This book's worth is unknown.
2x potions and 2x scrolls - Need identified.
dagger
Light crossbow with 10 bolts
cloak which is unburned.
8 pp
7 gp
Aravashnial exclaims loudly, which causes the Mongrelmen to wince in the echoing confines of the Darklands. "I had always thought Mole People existed, this will greatly improve my studies on them." He rubs his chin with his free hand excitedly.
Tawn'Garth looks back at Aravashnial over her sholuder and snorts in annoyance. It's not long before her men return, carrying the covered body and hanging at the rear of the group as Sinoa and the dogfaced mongrelman are kept up front. You pass through a final doorway, leaving the well crafted halls and returning to natural caverns and slippery underground passages. Two Mongrelmen appeared to have been waiting and close a set of stone doors behind you. Which they also seal up with a heavy looking chunk of wood.
From there you're led through a series of tight passages and winding tunnel's by the mongrelmen band before finally coming to what appeared to be a well concealed guard post at a six way intersection.
Seemingly out of nowhere two dozen warriors appear, surrounding your party from all sides, some standing on outcroppings with similar Scorpian Crossbows mounted on tripods and overhanging the ledge they stand on. Tawn'Garth speaks in undercommon once more and the two dozen warriors back off, returning to several hidden positions among the stalagmites throughout the area.
Cid can feel that many of these warriors still have their eye's on him, some going so far as to follow him with their Scorpions until Tawn'Garth snorts at them loudly. This last tunnel is guarded heavily by another dozen or so warriors and the entire time you move through it you can hear the ever grow growl of an underground river some distance ahead. Finally you emerge into an awe inspiring sight.
The mongrelmen keep moving forward while you all pause to take in the massive cavern that lay before you now. Statues line the walls in several places, looking down on the area in a solemn and watchful way as several humanoids move and interact in what could only be described as a small underground town. Buildings appear to be crafted out of stone or into the very rock walls among the statues feet. The ceiling sparkles as if it were the night sky, hundreds if not thousands of stones cast a pale light on the darkland town and its inhabitants.
This pale light allows everyone to be able to see as if it were a moonlit night, however without aid those without darkvision still stumble over some of the hard to see rock's. Standing at the backside of this great chamber, seeming to fly above the solemn statues is that of a woman who has been carved into the rockface. In the pale light she appears somewhat tranquil and her details are hard to make out save for her two eyes. Both of the statues eyes glowed the color of moonlight and aided in lighting the chamber greatly.
Finally taking in the view you focus on your closer surroundings, finding that all of you are standing at the bottom of a hill that curves upwards on your right. On your left the land slopes away into what could only be described as a mushroom forest of sorts. The mushrooms appear to grow twenty feet tall in some places and a lone one at the center of the forest is around forty feet in height from what you can guess from a distance. You spot movement at this distance of people moving among the mushroom's, apparently gathering what is edible into baskets.
You find the source of the roaring river as a waterway cuts its way through the mushroom forest, rushing through the treelike shrooms before disappearing through a great hole to your left some several feet away. This helps you to notice patches where the forest isn't as densely packed. What lies in those areas is unknown, perhaps pools or area's of calm water. Along the waterway you see mongrelmen who are more aquatic in nature, they appear lightly geared and standing around, for the most part they are all women and don't appear burdened by being lightly or not clothed at all.
Tawn'Garth and her men are hemming in Sinoa and the Pachi's bearers, kindly but firmly refusing anyone's approach as they make their way through the crowd. However your group isn't so lucky, finding yourselves quickly surrounded by the more curious folk asking questions. You discover to your surprise that among the Mongrelfolk are other underground dwellers. Svirfneblin, Gnomes and even a few halfling's, while most appear friendly enough you can see several hanging at the back or giving you a all a wide birth as they go about their business.
A cloaked woman appears to be watching Cid, the moment you lay eyes on her she ducks back into a doorway into one of several inlaid buildings in the cavern walls...
You see six guards standing with their backs to a pit behind them where a rather well crafted set of metallic fencing surrounds the pit edge. You can't see what they are guarding however...
This is the central refuse pit, where several small oozes reside. As you stand there some people approach with buckets and one guard, whose duty it was to meet these people, comes forward and takes their trash and deposits it into the pit where the oozes ravenously consume it. Near the pit are several long poles made of metal and with large rakes at the head, apparently needing more than one man to wield. What they could be for is unknown.
Anevia seems to fit in with these misfits well, joking and talking in another language with the gnomes and svirfneblin. While poor dreary Horgus appears to be cloaking himself from possible thieves.
Lasciel manages to flow fluidly through the crowd, keeping up with Tawn'Garth's group while taking in the unique environment that a day earlier, she hadn't even known existed.
[
I draw protectively close to Cid but generally chatter away and try to make friends.
fail
pass
pass
When Seren approaches Cid, he curiously stares at her. In his subtle ways, his body language states he is open to discussion. His completely white-eyes make it difficult to see exactly what he is staring at.
"...."
Following a few steps behind Seren and Cid, the misfortunately proportioned barbarian (somehow) manages to keep his pace with the others as they file onward through another series of snaking tunnels. Somewhere between every fifth and twelfth step he would: smack his head on the ceiling, stub a toe on a near-invisible chunk of rock or singe his beard with a torch which, due to confines, he was forced to carry dangerously close to his chest; in one glorious two-second passing, he performed all three in rapid succession.
Kieran’s relief felt short lived when the crew finally arrived under the watchful archer’s of the clearing. He couldn’t help but think of how their situation could have differed had the thin dwarf not performed his atrocities against Sinoa and the mongrelman identified postmortem as Pachi. A selfish sense of thankfulness flickered through his thoughts until he began to dwell on the perceived impact such a loss had had on Tawn’Garth and her warriors. Just who, exactly, was Pachi to these people?
Whatever the answer, his death seemed to lend reasonable trust to the interlopers; something which, arguably, may have allowed the group to survive until this point in their travels. Tawn’Garth’s guard was nothing to disregard in respect to their diligence, obedience and, more notably, the heavy sense that their assemblage suggested a lingering threat to the colony. Kieran observed – to the furthest limits his mundane eyes afforded – the orchestrated tactics of these curious chimerical creatures with a thoughtful degree of fear and awe. A damn good thing we know the password, now.
Navigating the underground city was considerably easier for Kieran – his stature (which appeared absolutely *ridiculous* comparative to the average height of the townsfolk), as normal, provided him a welcoming in crowds likening to that of a shark meandering through schools of fish, and, when paired with the natural illumination of the glistening stones above, gave him considerable advantage in avoiding the obstacles which plagued him in the tunnels.
”Humpf... Lady of Light,” Kieran whispers to himself as he gazes at the great stonework watcher of the city.
Waving a friendly-looking citizen beside him, and after answering a few of her questions, Kieran aims a meaty finger at the light bearing sculpture before them and asks: “Who built her? You know what this place was b'fore it got settled?”
Ethyra spots the relatively unharmed equipment the thin dwarf was carrying and quickly gathers it together clipping the crossbow to her own belt along with its quiver of bolts. She decides to investigate the potions and scrolls later.
I speak softly to Cid, "Tawn'garth seems true to his word but I doubt he can control every citizen of this place. Stay close; when we rest we'll post guards."
Kieran's question elicits a little bit of head scratching from the nearest gnome who turned to look at the statue of the woman whose gaze fell upon the entire town. "Not sure, always been here I suppose. The Crusaders built this place ages ago. This is the last bastion of hope in Tal'vatham, all other places are gone now save for what the Crusaders defend." At this the little gnome gets a little misty eyed. "My hometown fell a few years ago and so far they haven't found Neathholm."
As Kieran stands talking to the gnome the others are quickly leaving him behind as they walk around the hill. Moving upward towards a larger, centralized building akin to what a garrison would look like on the surface.
Within the Garrison
Tawn'Garth makes you all wait for a moment before heading off alone into the central room of the garrison. She returns a few moments later to summon you all to come forward with a polite warning in common of all things. Her speech is rough but growing stronger by each word she speaks. "Captain Sull will see you. He is very sick and may dismiss you at any time..." With that she opens the door and allows you to pass.
You enter the chamber and are quickly assailed by the smell of herbs, incense and several other powerful odors. That along with the look of some many medicinal items reinforces what you were told moments ago, along with the two attendants that move around unconcerned by your group's invasion of the room. A suiit of armor, in much better shape than the rest of the soldiers gear you've seen so far, stands idle in the corner with a massive hammer and a tower shield adorning it. However Sull himself is not so kind on the eyes. Captain Sull, is bloated and unpleasant-looking but mild-mannered mongrel with one clouded white eye. He has the mixtures of what could only be a mouse and other undefinable races as his bloated appearance mar's the fine lines of his mixed race.
He turns his one good eye on you and it too appears to be in the process of clouding over. His voice is powerful, filled with the wisdom and the nuances of being a leader of others as he speaks to these Uplanders. "Your appearance is both a great and terrible omen Uplanders. First I must thank you for Sinoa's safe return and... Pachi's recovery. He will be missed greatly, his stories and memories are lost to us now. Bravery until the last." His attendants mimic his last words in a respectful tone as they continue to go about their tasks. He turns his eye back to your group, looking at each of you in turn as he asks. "Aside from your blessed appearance what brings you to the Darklands?"
One of his attendants tries to give him a potion, which he quickly tries to wave off as he waits for your answer.
"We jus admirin de scenery Vieux. Jus thought it be a nice change o' pace seein as de surface all full a demons." Jaeger says his cocky nature unable to let him just sit back whilst there is talking to be done.
Ethyra wallops him over the head with a quick swift pop of the hand. She does this with a smile as if nothing happened. I'm sorry Captain Sull what my husband meant to say was that there was an attack on Kenabris and we fell in a hole during it and ended up here. While trying to find a way out we happened upon Sinoa. I just wish that we could have found her sooner, I pray that Desna will allow her sweet dreams to cover the waking nightmare she endured.
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Jaeger crosses his arm and gives his wife a look of false indignation.
"We were fighting to protect our lands before the cave in. It is good that we can provide help to people down here as well."
Cid acknowledges Seren's comment with a nod. He took comfort knowing this was a group that can look out for each other, though he still had his suspicions of the tiefling and the warlock. His guarded demeanor would be hard to warm up to.
As the party moved forward into the garrison, Cid gently touched Kieran's shoulder while he was talking with the gnome . Without saying a word, it was clear Cid was making him aware that the group was moving forward.
Inside the garrison, Cid remained quiet. He was still cautious about the mogrelmen's relationship with the drow. Fear is irrational. There is no purpose in speaking with them unless directly asked to.
Captain Sull shifts uneasily, his weight causing the bed to creak beneath his bloated frame as he regarded each speaker with his one good eye. A Bat brooch rolls into view then as he narrows his eye at Jaeger, not in a suspicious way but critical none the less. As Ethyra speaks he nods at how she easily cleared up Jaeger's sarcasm without any comment. "With the loses of her grandfather I am afraid the road ahead will be hard. We will keep a watchful eye on her and redouble our efforts in securing our tunnels. But alas this war in the darklands has stirred all manner of ilk to rise to the surface."
He expanded on Seren and Ethyra's talk of demon's attacking Kenebras and nods sagely. "Kenebra's invaded by demons, it explains the tremors that have rocked the darklands for several hours now. This is very disturbing news indeed, I believed we had contained the worst of it here..." He realizes he is wandering off topic and refocuses as he speaks directly to the group as a whole, not focusing on a single member for more then a few seconds as he speaks. "Please forgive my words if..." He waves off the potion again, ignoring the annoyed look his attendant was giving him as he continued speaking. ".. I sound rude but I know that my kind are seen as outcasts and freaks in the eyes of uplanders such as yourselves. However, our ancestors aided in driving the demons back in the first crusade and we have continued the fight in the darklands to this very day."
His attendant looks a little worried as he shifts again, this talk of demons has the Captain's blood up and oddly the armor and weapon standing nearby begin to shake ever so slightly. "I want nothing more than to see the demons driven back as much as you and those above do! I'd go myself if this damned illness hadn't came about but for now I can spare our reserve Crusaders to aid the surface. Will you let those above know that Neathholm stands with Kenebras?"
I answer immediately and with conviction, "It would be an honour to bring such good news to the crusade.
”I’m sorry t’hear that. Had no idea things was as bad as they are in the Darklands.” Kieran’s ignorance amplified his guilt. ”Thanks fer takin’ the time. My hopes that these places can be recovered, and those lost could find some rest.”
Thankful for Cid’s cue that he was needed elsewhere, Kieran nods a ‘thank you’ to the helpful gnome and files behind the rest of the group. When in presence of Captain Sull, Kieran remains as quiet as possible. He felt he had no right to speak on behalf of either the Crusaders or of Kenebras, a city he had known only in the few short hours before the attack. He plays the part of dumb, silent muscle masterfully well; and takes advantage of his unobligated position to take a close look at the inner workings of the Garrison. Special interest paid in full to the rattling armaments.
Sull smiles, the rolls of his neck worble as he nods at Seren. "Good. This will aid you in your fight..." He waves his hand to a nearby chest with an ornate lid, his annoyed attendent moves to the chest and opens it to reveal a stash of what appear to be healing salves and potions. A total of fifty are contained within the ornate chest and the attendent shuts the chest as Captain Sull clears his throat. "They're is an exit to the surface but it is a ways away. It'll also take time for word to reach our reserve forces and for them to make their way here. In the meantime I humbly suggest you get some rest, at least a day. To get back on your feet before heading to the surface, best to be prepared when fighting demons and a fiery heart leads to a most certain death when facing these creatures."
He waves at teh same attendent, who tsks in annoyance, before retrieving a belt with nine vials inserted in it. It appears that the tenth sloy is empty but Sull explains. "The chest contains over three dozen curing tonics and a dozen restorative ones for yoursoldiers on the surface. This sash contains nine vials of light curing and three of the lesser form of restoration. Alas this is the most I can spare for both our sides. My humble apologies we could not do more."
You notice that the hammer and armor no longer move so long as Sull remains calm or cheery, however they appeared about ready to move on their own accord whenever he utters the word Demon...
He finally drinking down the tonic his otehr annoyed attendent offers him and, after choking down the vile treatment, sits quietly waiting for yourgroups answer.
Discussions with Gnomes (Yep its a gnome cid ;) )
"Its been bad everywhere save for Neattholm and its borders thankfully. It's the most stable place down here shockingly enough. But I hope one day we reopen the old lines and get some more towns growin' again..."
The gnome nods at Kieran's apology before waving good bye to him as he leaves with the others.
"If this is all you have then they should be preserved for your warriors. We would not take from those in need."
I give a respectful nod, "However, your offer of rest is appreciated."
Jaeger raises an eyebrow when Seren tries to turn down the potions. He leans over and scraps a bit of dried blood from her armor. "Yea, we should turn down de exta healin we don' need anyting like dat." Sarcasm dripping with every word.
I stiffen at Jaeger's jest but can't stop from wincing after tensing wounded flesh.
"We greatly appreciate it, and would be honored to ensure that those above know that Neathholme carries on the battle for Kanebres' soul." Lasciel says with a deeply respectful bow.
The bearer of those arms musta had some hate for Demons. Wonder if the hammer was forged with that in mind or if it took up the cause after years of battle.
Unfazed by Jaeger’s comment, Kieran rests a hand on the pauldron of Seren’s armor and whispers, ”He offered what he can spare, not all he’s got. More t’the point - he’s offerin’ gratitude; wouldn’t think it wise t’brush off a kind gesture from a worthy ally.”
We could use it to help the survivors on top, he went on to consider. Sull’d know, best of all, what t’expect between here n’ there. Good chance we’ll end up needing this s~@~. Very least, it’d make the cleric less of a tool n’ more of a person. Damn miracle these suicidals managed to make it this far…
I stammer out an apology, "My... my friends speak true. I have no right to question your judgement. You are a generous host and we are lucky to have found you. Thank you."
"Desna weeps gir' don take everything so pers'nl. Sometimes ya jus need ta relax. We in a safe place no half rotten dwarf tryin ta kill, cook and eat us." Jaeger says with a look to Ethyra saying what can you do.
Captain Sull appeared to be listening intently at first but as the discussion wore on he seemed to lose interest. He waved his hand in a friendly albeit dismissive way when Seren started to apologize. "No apologies needed, these items are what I can spare for Kenebras. Our Crusaders shall manage but..." He rubs at his temples and then at his good eye. "Blast this illness, it dulls my senses and these Tonics dull them further."
As he speaks one of his attendants scuttles forward, waving its hands in a shoo-ing manner before the Captain nods towards the chest. "We will speak again, however I sadly must return to my rest. I will leav Tawn'Garth to escort you about Neathholm. You have my deepest thanks for helping Sinoa..."
Captain Sull is sweating slightly more then when you first entered the chamber, his lose of interest occurred around the same time as well. It appears as if he were more out of focus or distracted then actually uninterested.
As you were forced to turn back Tawn'Garth was already opening the door and snorted in disdain when the attendant tried to shoo her away as well. It wasn't until she got a wave of dismissal from Captain Sull that she finally, albeit reluctantly, left. Standing out in the garrison hall she looks your group over and snorts in disgust. "You reek like maggot vomit... So first, healing then baths. Then you may ask questions but none before."
She turns and briskly makes her way to what appears to be a massive public bath before turning to your rag tag group. "This is mixed bathing. However you..." She indicates Cid. "will stick close to me or else I can't guarantee your safety. Questions?"
Even whilst Jaeger seems to be completely irreverent and joking he keeps his attention outward enough to notice the deteriorating condition of their host.
Cid
Cid's eyes narrow slightly but he remains silent and watching the goings on within the Garrison...
Doesn't seem right; him takin in so many potions and still been as sick as he is. It's like he's tryin t'cover the symptoms but can't get the root.
Kieran thanks the captain for his generousity and, staying within arm's reach of Cid, exits quietly with the others. Although he sensed his ill recieved friend would be well protected under the watchful eye of Tawn'Garth, he decided it best to keep close regardless.
"What happened to Captain Sull?" he asks the accomplished warrior respectfully, after exiting the garrison. "Gather he ain't in the best a health nowadays. Bet he was as impressive as they come, y'know, back in his prime."
Tawn'Garth looks to Kieran, turning her head as if trying to hear him. Much in the way a dog does as it tries to find key words in someones speech. "He is the strongest, even now. Sickness comes from the demonland's. It is... Hard to fight."
She leads you all to a small building crafted out of a massive stalagmite next to the open air baths and knocks on a door fit for a gnome. After about a minute she knocks on it again, much harder this time around and finally gets a rather angry response from whoever lives within.
The tiny door flies open and out storms a creature that appeared to be a mix of anteater, mole and with a pair of human eyes. It lashes at Tawn'Garth with its obscenely long tongue before starting to verbally berate her. It's voice was high pitched almost like a whistle as it aimed its long snout up at her and started wagging a large digging claw at her. "You know what time it is! I have experiments to do and ya bashin my door like a beast! Whats the big idea! Ya big goatheaded, scaleback!"
Tawn'Garth blinks, digging something out of her cow-like ear as the smaller creature yelled at her. Once he was finally out of breath she pointed to your group. "We have guests and their injured..."
It turns with surprise, seeming to finally notice your group now that you all have been pointed out. "Oh My..."
He doesn't get another word in before Tawn'Garth cuts him off. "Just need patched up Doc, no experiments on these ones. Captain Sull's orders..."
Doc turns with a glare at the Mintoaur like mongrelwoman that towered over the smaller creature. "Experiments! How dare you call my beloved cure-all's Experiments!"
"FINE, fine fine fine! You Sit, Sit Sit!"
He points to each of you and indicates an oddly shaped stump nearby so that you could sit down and let him inspect your wounds. He grumbles the entire time, shooting daggers at Tawn'Garth who continues to ignore his angry drivel. "Can't have forigners bleeding in the bath, not clean, not clean at all. Oh your pretty~" He mumbles this while working on Lasciel but quickly gets to his work when Lomar's gaze falls on him.
He reaches Jaeger and stares at his chest oddly, the glow throwing Doc off temporarily. Seeing Jaeger uninjured he gives the Tiefling a strange sidelong look before starting to work on Cid. He pokes and prods Cid's injuries, most to the discomfort of the Dark Elf, all the while mumbling. "Heightened pain tolerance, years of harsh labor in society, ability to ignore continued abuse. More evidence of societal changes and evolution. Good reflexes, probably good with dual wielding, to be determined. Animal mastery? Weak."
After healing Cid the gnome sized Doc looks at the Darkelf as he asks Cid. "Profession?"
"Desna weeps, vieux we not plannin on stay'n out ere all day are we? Look you can berate ole Tawn'Garth afta we get some heals and cleaned up. Cause I don't know about you but I'm not one for gettin cut up by waking bog chew toys."
I wait patiently for the strange fellow to do his work and reach me, continuing to play down my wounds.
However, when he digs at Cid, I bristle and speak up, "He's one of us."
Doc looks at Seren curiously and slightly confused. "Well that is plain to see pretty lady. I only asked his profession. Is it a crime or some strange custom of the uplands to hide your profession?" He is honestly quite confused as he turns to Tawn'Garth, who rolls her eyes at him.
"Curiosity killed the Mycomite Doc." Is all that Tawn'Garth mumbles as she shakes her head at the pint sized doctor.
Doc bristled at her words. "Better to ask a question than to remain ignorant..."
Tawn'Garth snorts, loudly, at his cryptic response. Responding in a dry tone. "Do you ever stop asking questions Doc?"
Doc starts wagging a finger at her again. "Just because your afraid to ask doesn't mean I am!"
Tawn'Garth grumbles. "Whats there to fear in Neatholm Doc... Not like you have ever done real fighting anyway..."
Doc returned to his work knitting one particular large gash on Jaeger. "You know damn well who caught that slime we so abuse in the pit! Damnable, stuff nosed bull headed minotaur wannabe!"
Tawn'Garth merely snorts as Doc continues to grumble, seeming to forget his original questions to Cid...
The cocky tiefling gets strangely uncomfortable with the mongrelman's curiosity over the strange gemstone that seems embedded in his chest right where his heart should be.