Jens nods at Aravashnial, apparently slightly disappointed the elf doesn't recognize the sigil. "Hold onto it anyway, Michael. I've no idea what it's worth, but the copper might be valuable itself."
He listens intently to Aravashnial's history lesson, nodding periodically, taking it in. "How likely is it that the mongrels could have survived?" he asks the elf, out of genuine curiosity as much as to fill the silence.
Upon reaching the shrine to Torag (as Izah identifies it), Jens seems relieved. "There might be supplies here, or gear. I've never known a dwarf who didn't keep spare weapons, after all." He glances down at Anevia. "How's your leg? Do you need to rest?" To Izah, he adds, "Perhaps, but it's entirely likely some might hold loyalty to Kenabres. If the mongrels live, they might yet be reasonable."
Michael frowns at the conversation, then scowls at Izah's dismissal.
"The time of the First Crusade was a harrowing one, and there is no argument that when fear overruled common sense people made a great many foolish mistakes, and we'll have to shoulder the burden of our forebears' errors. This may not be fair, but the world is under no obligation to be fair no matter how hard we try. Still, I'd caution against contempt, Ser Izah -- it is a petty, unworthy emotion at the best of times, and it will blind you to the good in people even as it magnifies their faults to allow you to feel superior."
He glances at Aaliyah. "Is something the matter, Lady Aaliyah?"
Michael touches his hand to the sunburst and sword sigil on his shield, then nods toward the altar in a gesture of respect to a worthy deity that isn't the one he serves above all.
He then nods to Jens. "I don't imagine Torag would object to people of good will putting tools to good use, but search respectfully, and take only what we need." He glances at Anevia, then nods again. "... Come to think of it, how long have we been traveling? I've lost track of time, to be honest; perhaps we should set up camp."
|
"Camping down here without fully scouting the area would be tantamount to slitting our own throats," Izah offers an askance look to Michael, "there is a war raging above us. The time for rest will be later." Keeping pace with Aravashnial, Izah continues his circuit of the temple, bringing the blind wizard along with him in the event that he needs his counsel on anything eldritch that may be discovered on his sweep.
Walking around the temple reveals little of interest beyond a small tunnel leading away to the east (the same direction you were travelling before) and a door in the western side, just around the corner from the symbol. Your internal clocks aren't spot on without any light down here, but you'd guess it was early to mid afternoon.
"I doubt the Mongrels have survived. This was many years ago, and the occasional rumors of them have decreased recently." Aravashnial leans against the temple, unknowingly placing his hand dead center in the hammer. "Still... I suppose anything is possible in Golarion." Anevia shakes her head at the offer of rest, muttering that she's fine.
Elsbeth, you find that the door to the shrine has swollen, or the wall has shifted, making it stuck fast. You also hear some kind of buzzing sound from the other side, which starts and stops without any kind of rhythym.
"The door is stuck," Elsbeth announces. "There may be helpful supplies inside, but there's also a strange buzzing sound. Perhaps a large insectoid creature of some sort, or a damaged magical device? In any case, if we intend to get into this structure, we'd best be ready for anything."
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Nodding once, Izah brings Aravashnial thirty feet back away from the door and stands beside him, shield and mace out. He checks to ensure Anevia and the nobleman are behind him, then looks to the blind wizard. "Aravashnial, do you have magic that can force open the door?" His golden eyes then tick over to Elsbeth.
"If our wizard can release the door remotely, we may be able to keep some distance between ourselves and any threats that may lie concealed beyond. I recommend we take some sort of advantageous formation, though I defer what formation to your tactical assessment."
There is a pregnant pause as Michael turns to stare at Aravashnial. "... 'Recently' ? How 'recently' was this?" He asks, then turns at Elsbeth's announcement to join her at the door.
"Either way, it's our best shot at finding something," Michael agrees. "Even if it's a swarm of giant insects, if we prepare before opening the door we should be able to hold the line..."
He draws his sword and readies his shield, then nods at Jens, Izal and Aaliyah to join him.
"Oh within the last decade or so." The elf answers breezily. "I... may be able to use my magic to do this, but are you sure it is necessary? I cannot regain my spells in my condition, and it would hardly do to waste them willy nilly. Perhaps one of you big strong types could unstick it. It's just a stuck door after all. I'm sure it's not locked." He pauses. "I was reluctant to let them go, because I do not know when I may replace them, but I need one of my potions. Mrs. Tirabade, you may have one as well. We'd be better off with more udrability should worse come forward." He hands a potion to Anevia and takes one himself. "I expect your wife will give me recompense for saving you once we reach the surface, and perhaps we can put our own little problem behind us."
"I am sure Irabeth will be happy to give you whatever she can spare Aravashnial." Anevia says, her eyes blazing with an anger he can't see as she takes the offered potion. "As to the other matter... perhaps not the time. We can discuss it more once we reach the surface. And find out if your friends or my wife even made it out."
Aaliyah nods quietly to Michael, drawing her scimitar and holding it up in both hands, the blade wobbling just a little uncertainly...
Eyeing the two injured people carefully, Elsbeth positions herself to give the door a shove.
Jens raises one eyebrow at Anevia. "Your... wife?" he asks, carefully, unsure whether he's heard correctly. He shakes his large head slowly. Ah well. No business of mine, I suppose. "Aravashnial, tell me more about the mongrels later. If you run out of things to talk about, I'll be forced to sing to pass the time, and I don't think anyone wants that," he mutters. Leaving the two wounded ones, he draws his weapons - first his longsword, then his round shield, clutched firmy in his left hand. He knocks his sword fist against the boss thrice, taking a small comfort in the familiar sound, then stands next to Michael, on his right-hand side. Rather than straight at his side, he positions himself slightly in front of the younger man, his shield held slightly further away from his own body than strictly necessary.
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Looking to Anevia, then Aravashnial, Izah furrows his brows and narrows his eyes in contemplation. It was clear enough to the Ifrit that something unpleasant burned between them, but it was neither the time nor the place to confront it. Not at least until there was some room to breathe.
Staying back beside Aravashnial, Izah deferred this time to the wizard's judgment in use of hi magic. Looking to Michael, who seemed eager to be by the door as it opened, Izah waved his mace in a guiding motion towards the door as Elsbeth moved to get in place and push.
Gripping his mace tightly, Izah once more took a defensive posture by the injured.
___________________________
>
>>
"My wife. Irabeth Tirabade." Anevia says this with her head up, chin outthrust defiantly, as if daring you to question it. "She is a commander in the Eagle Watch."
As Elsbeth heaves the door comes open with a cracking sound. Beyond, a simple stone bench sits against the wall of a spartan room, with a font of water in the center of the room. Against the north wall lies a door, open towards you, with the image of a hammer carved into the stone.
Upon the bench squats an ugly creature, a gigantic fly. It's wings buzz as it begins to ascend it's foully bloated body toward you.
Jens:
Elsbeth:
Aaliyah:
Michael:
Anevia:
Aravashnial:
Horgus:
Enemy:
Anevia slips her bow from her back, once again knocking and releasing carefully and smoothly.
Anevia's arrow is spot on, slamming into the creature and knocking it from in the air into a sputtering dive.
"Nice shooting."
"Quite," Michael agrees as he edges forward carefully. "Although I do wonder what kept that vermin alive for however long it has been since that door was open..."
Jens blinks as the vermin drops dead before he can react. Sheathing his sword, but keeping his shield at his side, he shrugs to Michael. "Your guess is as good as mine."
He makes his way back to Anevia, helping keep her steady again. "Didn't mean anything by it. Just haven't met a woman married to another woman before. I'm happy for the two of you, though. Marriage is a beautiful thing." He falls silent for a moment, jaw working wordlessly. "You look after her, alright?" With that, he begins following Michael inside.
"Indeed," Elsbeth comments in Michael's general direction. "Odds are slim that such a creature's food source would be helpful for us, but there's a chance nonetheless. Well, unless it was undead and we were to be its sustenance."
Moving cautiously, Elsbeth raises her lantern and enters the room, surveying her surroundings closely.
Anevia swiftly draws another arrow and has it readied before the creature has hit the ground, then lets off her string as the beasts defeat registers. "Oh... Damn... I'm good sometimes." She smiles a small smile, then nods at Jens comment. "Believe it or not, she takes care of me far more than I do her." She frowns, her eyes darkened by the thought of her loved one. "I... think I may need a rest for a moment." She hobbles over to the bench in the corner and sits down with a sigh. "This place reminds me of Irabeth. She's a paladin of Iomedae... she and Torag have a lot of things in common, little as Irabeth would agree."
Horgus sighs and throws up his hands. "Oh Gods and now she needs to slow down again?" The rotund noble walks to the door in a huff. "Perhaps if she needs so much rest we can leave her here and those of us interested in actually getting to the surface in a hurry can go on ahead."
"Oh of course you can't understand why this place might move me a bit. You can't even admit to believing in something. Denying your god is almost as bad as consorting with demons. No wonder some people think you're a demonic cultist." Her eyes shift to Aravashnial, who stands angrily. "I had perfectly good evidence for that claim and I have apologized, don't drag me into your personal squabbles."
"You shouldn't expect a thief like her to have any dignity at all, much less to keep you out of anything." Horgus begins to walk for the door outside. "I can't believe you have the gall to try to drag that nutter into our own problems."
Anevia keeps her tongue, though you can see her biting back further comments.
You hear a bit of movement and a scratch of something hard against stone through the slightly ajar door deeper into the shrine.
Elsbeth is visibly frustrated at Anevia and Horgus' inability to focus on one crisis at a time, but words don't seem to come to her.
Aaliyah swallows back her nervousness, seeing the situation deteriorating. She takes a deep breath, then says, about as firmly as she can manage "What, exactly, is wrong with you? I get that there's some history here, but is now really the time?"
She looks to Horgus next. [b]"Also, do you want to think about what you're doing? Sure, she's moving slowly, but that shot was better than anything I've ever seen. A few extra hours here would be worth getting out with that much assurance."
"I suggest we make sure the temple here is secure, then settle down for the night. If anyone needs wounds tended, I have some magic for that..."
Michael closes his eyes briefly and counts to ten in Celestial, then follows up with another brief prayer for strength.
"Ser Horgus, if you earnestly feel that our pace is insufficient for your needs, you are welcome to go on ahead and brave these caverns on your own. I assure you we shall do our best to inform your next of kin of your courage and the fervent concern for them that undoubtedly fuels your need for haste. However, fairness compels me to point out that so far, Lady Anevia has proven herself more of an asset to our current situation than you have, even despite her injuries. If you wish to continue traveling with us, I believe I speak for us all when I say we would appreciate it if you could find it in you to hold your tongue unless you have something constructive to add."
He turns to the lady in question. "That said, I've mentioned earlier that I have neither inkling nor interest in whatever grudge lies between the two - or three - of you. I suspect my other companions will agree with me on that, and that your insistence on bringing it up whenever you feel the need to match insults with Ser Horgus is winning you no points. His word holds no authority among us, and we are not leaving you behind as long as you still draw breath and wish to go on. In exchange for this, could you please consider holding your peace the next time he makes a suggestion that you know will not be followed?"
He sighs, then nods at Aaliyah. "A wise suggestion - we'll secure this area, then set up camp for the night..." He glances over Horgus, Anevia and Aravashnial. "... And I urge all three of you to consider the merits of either discussing your grudge like adults, or agreeing to bury it until we're out of these caves and to relative safety."
Jens potitions himself between the noble and the door. He flexes his shoulders and plants his feet apart, taking advantage of his bulk to tower over the rotund man. Though he says nothing at this point, the message in his eyes is clear - You're not getting past me.
When Michael finishes speaking, he adds his own to the conversation. "The boy speaks the truth. We're all stuck here together, whether we like it... or not." He looks pointedly down at Horgus as he says this. "Anevia, if you wouldn't object, perhaps I coud carry you awhile once we set out again. I can move faster with your weight than you can on your own, and it would give your leg the rest it needs." He rolls his large shoulders, the creaking of his joints audible. "But while we're here, I could use the rest, myself. Gwerm, surely you would not deny an old man a few hours to gather his strength?"
"The others are right; this is not the time for squabbling, no matter how slighted any of you might feel."
"Also, I agree about securing this shrine. This is the most defensible position we've seen so far. We should make camp here and continue after we've all had some much-needed rest."
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Izah had been quiet while the others bickered following the swift death of the fly. Squaring a look at the fly's corpse Izah relaxes, unaware of the noise coming from within the structure. Anevia is given a moment of attention as Izah walks by her, assessing her anew with that recent show of marksmanship and competence. Flanked by a pair of extremely competent women, he seems to struggle with the notion that he may have misjudged them both.
While Michael works on sowing the seeds of unity within the group, Izah ambles over in Horgus' direction to handle things in a distinctly Chelish way once Michael, Jens and Elsbeth have said their peace. Calmly, quietly and politely the Hellknight approaches Horgus and hooks his mace on his belt, lifting one large hand to rest on her merchant's shoulder, squeezing reassuringly for a moment.
Then, leaning in, Izah whispers to the merchant in a hushed tone of voice so as to not embarrass him in front of the others. "My dear Horgus, in spite of her shortcomings of birth Anevia has twice over proven her usefulness to this entourage. Were we in need of cutting dead weight such as you suggested," Izah's hand more firmly grip's the nobleman's shoulder. "Whom do you suspect weighs the most?"
Leaning away and letting his uncomfortably warm hand fall from Horgus' shoulder, Izah furrows his brows and gives the man a level but firm look with his luminous eyes. "Fear not, I will ensure you do not fall far from my watchful gaze, Lord Horgus."
Drawing in a deep breath, Izah turns to the others and speaks in a more conversational tone. "Companions," the ifrit begins, "while we have endured significant hardship in the last few hours, we must not so readily take refuge when there are greater crisis' at hand. Some are injured, yes, but the majority of us are in good health and capable of continuing on yet further. While this structure seems secure, we have no idea what horrors lie deeper in here and the longer we tarry below the surface the longer the demons above have an opportunity to establish foothold in Kenebres and begin searching for survivors, if the Crusaders were not able to drive them off."
Looking to Anevia, Izah inclines his head in a nod, then turns his attention to Michael. "While we may come from different backgrounds, we are all allies of the Crusade against a common enemy. Our brothers in arms fight above us as we speak," and with that he motions overhead. "Our friends, companions, kinsmen and," a look is shot to Anevia, "loved ones," and then back to Michael, "battle without us by their side."
Arching one brow, Izah holds out his open palm and gestures around. "Should we not muster all the strength we have to leave this burrow behind? A brief respite of a few minutes to catch one's breath is assured, but setting up a camp is a waste of our time, and whatever time those above have left. If there are those of us with injuries that time can heal, present them to me and I will mend them fully. Beyond this, rest will provide us no balm at present. It will only cost more lives that we potentially could save."
"I recommend we able-bodied search this shrine while those who need rest find it, and once our search is completed we continue onward." Izah reaches down to his belt and unloops his mace from the hook there. "The Abyss waits not for men."
______
Horgus' face pales a tad at Izah's words, almost imperceptibly, though his eyes still burn with anger. "My apologies. You are of course correct, I shall use every tool at my disposal to ensure my return to the surface." He straightens his coat firmly and looks toward the door, seemingly still not entirely happy. "Does anyone have a spare weapon? If that woman can contribute to combat I am sure that I can as well."
"Best idea I've heard all day." Anevia remarks airily. "You can hold my shortsword if no one else has an option. I prefer my bow regardless."
All three of the other survivors listen intently to Michael and Izah and after he finishes Anevia speaks up. "I must agree with Armiger Izah. Much as my leg pains me, there's naught more that rest can do for it, and I'd prefer to press on, at least until nightfall. My wife is fighting above, and I would not wish her from my side a second more than needed." Aravashnial quirks his head as he listens. "I concur with the lady. We know not how far the surface is, but until we absolutely require rest, I suggest we press on."
"Well," says Elsbeth, "I guess that's that. Let's secure this area and then move on."
Friends, companions, loved ones... All I have is Alfsigr, and she's likely dead by now. Poor girl never was too bright, Jens thinks, relaxing his stance in front of Horgus slightly. He rolls his shield arm a few times, trying to limber the muscles, starting to ache from exertion. Been years since I was in a situation like this. Not even a real fight yet, and I'm getting tired. Gods... I'm too old for this. He glances down at the shield, its blue painted symbol, spiralling towards the steel boss at the center. Soon enough.
He glances back over the others. "I don't seem to be using my lance much, but I don't know how much use you could make of it," he shrugs to Gwerm. He begins pacing the room, pausing to inspect the font of water, then taking a seat on the bench next to Anevia. "Glad to see you making use of the arrows," he remarks, clapping a hand on her shoulder. "You're a better shot than most men I know, even those older than yourself. If your wife protects you more than you do her, she must be a strong woman indeed." His voice trails off slightly, and he stares at the opposite wall a moment, sadness in his eyes. "We'll get you back to her," he says finally, before standing and drawing his sword again.
"Let's keep looking," he says decisively, jerking his head towards the door. "I'll go first." With that, he steps towards the door in question, shield raised, sword ready.
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"I will ensure that you are well armed should we find such provisions in the temple of Torag," Izah notes to Horgus, inclining a horned head towards the man. "I may have high expectations, but I will not squeeze blood from a stone." Then, with a crook of his lips into a half smile he adds, "I leave that to trained alchemists."
Michael listens to Anevia, then nods. "Fair enough. Then let's be on our way. We'll explore this shrine first; if nothing else, we might find a clue as to when it last visited by adherents, and how they arrived and left."
He shoulders his shield again and looks the others over. "Let's go."
Broken stone benches line this narrow room. The air is cold and stale, and thick layers of dust cover the floor, benches, and a large altar at the far end of the room. Jens manages only a short glace at the room before his vision is blocked by what looks almost to be a small mound of flesh vaugely shaped into a semblance like a slug with arms.
Luckily, the creatures large fangs scrape easily from Sir Jens shield and it recoils in pain.
Izah:
Elsbeth:
Aaliyah:
Michael:
Anevia:
Aravashnial:
Horgus:
Dretch:
Jens barely has time to react as the creature lunges at him, but whips his shield up in front of his face, hearing a dull sound as fangs strike the boss. Pushing the creature back, he swings his sword down, aiming to cleave the creature in two.
,
If Aaliyah seemed a bit off when fighting the maggots, this time she seems possessed. She twirls about in a mad dance, her outfit fluttering about her in a manner that is almost supernatural, the flames that appear about her weapon brighter and the edge seeming almost keener as she sweeps into the monster.
"Beware of it's cloud, it will sicken you. It's resistant to the elements and to blades made of less than cold iron, get it before it summons more of it's kind." Izah finishes, taking a ready position.
Jens misses, shocked by the little demon's assualt, and stumbles into Aaliyah, ruining her swing and throwing it quite wide. "Little bastard!" Anevia says, drawing her short sword. "My bow will be useless without surprise, I need someone to distract it."
"Keep it from me! I shall summon help!" Aravashnial states quickly before beginning the passes of a spell.
The dretch recovers from it's attack quickly and with a mighty heave spews forth a disgusting green sludge into the center of the group, which quickly spews forth ugly green fumes which cloud the eyes and sting the throat and nose.
Horgus moves away from the cloud, retching and reaching desperately for the far wall.
Michael draws his sword and shouts his rage...
At his words, a bright gold-white flame erupts along the length of his blade and he advances on the monster.
Aaliyah quickly retreats out of the cloud, babbling and coughing although she keeps up her spin as she babbles a bit more.
Jens begins coughing hoarsely, feeling the gas settle into his old lungs, thick and heavy. Eyes watering, he keeps his shield up, advancing on the demon, bellowing angrily in Skald between breaths.
Izah holds position near Aravashnial, though he cannot do much with his mouth and nose clogged by the stench. Elsbeth charges through the fog unhindered, though she misses unfortunately.
Aravashnial finishes his spell with a flourish and quickly moved out of the area of the poisonous fog as a powerfully built wolf shining like silver with bright blue eyes appears in a burst of magical energy. Aravashnial snaps off a command in a tongue like the crashing of bells as he retreats, Anevia by his side, both seeking the cleaner air.
The wolf roars a mighty, beautiful challenge and charges forward, jaws snapping next to the dirty creature as it jumps back. The demon surges forward quickly, his claws and teeth snapping at Jens.
Fortunately Jen's armor and training is quite adequate to deflect all but one of the demon's strikes, which shallowly wounds his arm.
Straining to keep her gag reflex in check, Elsbeth sees the demon's flurry of attacks and decides to be a bit more defensive, swinging her shield gracefully from her back before trying to shift around behind the abomination in hopes of a better chance of hitting it.
Jens grunts as the demon's claws rake his flesh, but manages to deflect the other two attacks with his shield. Snarling and coughing, he finds himself unable to do much else, but doesn't back down.
The girl continues to cough and wheeze for a moment, but seems to be catching her breath.
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Choking, gagging and retching, Izah retreats out and away from the cloud of noxious vapors. As he draws back, he tries to call for a withdrawl of the others, but only finds himself able to hack and cough, barely able to see his way out of the structure through bleary eyes. Stumbling out of the temple, Izah shakes his head and slouches his shoulders forward, a stringy line of sizzling mucus dangling from his mouth and nose as he tries desperately to catch his breath.
____________
Michael's righteous tirade is somewhat short-circuited by the noxious stench hanging around the creature, but even coughing and gagging he refuses to back away, moving to the other side from Jens to deny the demon any room to maneuver further.
"If we give it room, it'll summon its kin! Don't let up the pressure!"
Izah reels through the fog and stops next to the wounded, though he doubts he can do much to help them until he clears his lungs and nose. The cluster of wounded is instead defended by Aravashnial, staff held high and ears almost quivering with intensity. The fog cloud clears in front of him, revealing the fight beyond.
The celestial wolf is once again stymied by the nimble demon as it's jaws snap closed, though Elsbeth gives it a shallow cut. Recognizing that she is the only threat not incapacitated by it's foulness, the ugly creature turns to her and attacks with all it's might.
Elsbeth watches as the creatures claws dart forward, far faster than it's form would suggest. Michael attempted to throw his shield in front of the blows from the side, but was just a tad too slow as the demon slashed Elsbeth once across the shoulder and a shallower wound on her neck, barely missing major arteries.
"Gah!" Elsbeth grunts from the wounds, and is relieved to see she no longer needs to worry about the cloud. Resuming a proper breathing pace, she quickly calls out the nature of her wounds (in an unnervingly matter-of-fact tone) then focuses on her target and presses the attack.
"Elsbeth, get back!" Jens bellows, seeing the woman wounded, but another wave of nausaea hits him before he can actually act on the order. After a few more seconds of coughing the remnants of gas from his lungs, he finds himself feeling almost able to do something.
Aaliyah spends another round choking and coughing, although she spares Michael a completely blank look for a moment before she manages to get herself under control. Carefully bringing up her blade she takes a few careful steps to be sure the noxious fumes are completely out of her system before laying back into the demon.
Michael staggers around, still coughing heavily trying to clear his lungs, but not yielding an inch to the demon.