As Vess sets about searching for evidence of where the beast went, Yochtanl too looks around the ruins and nearby trees for any sign of the fey or the beast. He thinks to call out the fey's name, but he doesn't remember it, so he instead calls out a simple, "Hello?" He listens carefully for a response and looks for any movement.
When the others draw his attention back to the issue at hand, Palag looks rather worried and takes out and loads his crossbow. He advances carefully into the clearing near the fountain, but doesn't get too close – he still remembers how the fountain sprayed water with considerable force at them. He looks around and tries to not get distracted.
Nothing seems to happen as the party advances toward the fountain. The ravens watch your approach, but without the same level of intensity as the day before.
Being 1st level characters, a bear-sized something that does not appear to have been bothered much by the raven swarm would definitely worry you. You would consider it a worthy challenge, at the least, but not as serious as a war, demon, Ezender or Fuhrel from Riftview, or the like.
After waiting a while to see if the fey show, Yochtanl asks, "Well, if the fey isn't here, suppose we go and look at these crystals ourselves?" Though his words are a bit callous, he doesn't see anything the party can do at the moment about the fey or the beast.
Maybe says Vess'Sothek, seeming to hesitate. He points to the skinned tree. I don't know what sort of creature could have the muscle to tear through the tree's bark but not leave a trail. It may be down by those crystals as well ... or it may not. He shrugs, waffling on how dangerous he thought the creature to be. I will still go look for the gems though. He almost hoped the creature would be there so he would at least get to see it - dangerous or not.
Yochtanl ponders Vess's warning, but decides it's just as likely not down there. However, he does acknowledge that caution should be used, as this does not seem to be any ordinary beast they are dealing with. If nothing else remains to be said, he will drop his pack and gear on the ground near the fountain, leaving only his mask, clothes, and spear on himself. He also carries in his hand the small cauldron, ready to pick any loose crystal up with it. Quetzalcoatl slithers out of the bag and waits eagerly at the side of the fountain.
Those who approach within arm's length of the fountain, make perception checks.
Palag can't help but feel dread about the situation. He looks questioningly at Vess'Sothek and then intently at the tree but doesn't have any insights to share about it.
"How far does the fountain tunnel go? Can you get out quickly if need be, or would you like a safety rope?" he asks, first from Djatrix and then from Yochtanl.
Yochtanl does accept Palag's offer of a safety rope, tying it securely around his waist. He says, "If I tug on it 3 times in succession, start hauling me back. Or if it takes longer than one full minute. Okay?" If nothing else needs be done, he'll jump into the water, though he doesn't dive yet.
Rsss'tak will loop the other end of the rope around his saddle so he can quickly get him out if needed.
There are another 4 arrows, still in their quiver, lying in a puddle on the ground next to the fountain, slightly obscured by a large feather. There are darker blue blood splatters that stain the wall nearby, as if one of the fey was injured badly.
Vess'Sothek approaches the fountain, curious to see what the structure at the center of this place was like without being harassed by a murder. He drug a claw through the water to test its warmth (or lack thereof). The Lizardfolk both sees and ignores the blood though - blue hues seem to be bad omens as of late.
Djatrix explains the distance to the crystals, looking worried at the vesh. "I fear you will not be able to swim this far without risking your life."
He moves towards the fountain, and stops, looking around. Then he begins to whisper as if talking with someone. One by one he touches each of his companions, beginning with the vesh, and then the lizardfolk. "In case there is danger."
Since Yochtanl doesn't believe he can swim that far, he hands the cauldron to Djat instead, telling him, "Be alert down there; we don't know what this beast is capable of." He then collects all his dropped equipment and his familiar.
The clouds overhead seem a bit darker. Leaves and feathers blow on the wind, turning the clearing into a dark yet enchanting sight. Ravens caw and ruffle their feathers. The water ripples in the wind. The air is much cooler now, and heavy with the coming storm. Aside from the obvious context clues, something just feels wrong, but none of you can quite put a finger on it...
Rsss'tak sits on Visssila his lance held up, she shifts with unease...as he tries to settle her a little, What if this creature can fly? as Rsss'tak looks up into the trees...
The trees sway and rustle with the wind, and have a number of ravens perched upon them, but there does not seem to be any other sign of disturbance. If the creature can fly, it did not leave any mangled ravens or broken limbs amid the treetops.
Then it probably doesn't swim. replied Vess'Sothek.
Djatrix? You would know the way best - you should lead.
Palag fidgets, feeling helpless as they wait and get ready while changing their plans. The waiting and expectation makes him uneasy in this situation. He is a little relieved that Yochtanl decides not to go into the fountain. He isn't too far from suggesting that they should just forget this thing and leave, but doesn't do so quite yet.
Djatrix finishes his casting, then nods at Vess. He pickes up a stone and whispers at it. As soon as the stone begins to flow, he approaches the fountain. Djatrix eyes the vesh, looking worried for a time before, without any other word, diving into the fountain and swimming towards the submerged tunnel.
Without hesitation, Vess'Sothek dives-in after Djatrix, following his path as closely as possible. Though worried about what he might find there, his comrade's previous survival of the experience steadies his nerves.
Djatrix and Vass'Sothek are underwater for a few minutes, exploring the area.
They are both able to find a number of loose shards of crystal, both engraved and untouched to collect, if they desire, but most are still embedded. they collect around 15 or so small crystals, all smaller than a fist, and most the size of walnuts.
VISSSILA
Yochtanl turns his head to the northwest, waits for a moment, then says, still loking to the northwest, "Hmmm. I think our beast is rather close."
Agreed...stay behind me. I hope whatever magics you have can hurt this creature. I would rather the others were here as well.
See if you can get the their attention back up here!
Rsss'tak lowers his Lance and prepares to do battle.
Yochtanl quickly spins to his familiar, concentrating on him. He tries to impress upon him feelings of familiarity, and the way he usually feels when viewing Djatrix and Vess'Sothek, then picks him up and holds him above the water. He knows the snake can swim, though the vesh doesn't have any real means of communicating with him, so he hopes the emotional bond will be enough to get him to swim after Vess and Djat. He puts Quetzalcoatl into the water, then stands up, draws his spear, and prepares for combat.
Yochtanl says to Rsss'tak, "Well, that's all I can think of to get their attention. Hopefully he can swim fast enough to catch up."
Palag turns to look at the flying ravens and observes them, pinpointing their source. Since he's been fidgety for some time already, he quickly draws and loads his crossbow as Yochtanl and Rsss'tak prepare for combat. "I'll just go over here," he says with a small voice. He goes over to a bush and hides behind and under it, but tries to keep his line of sight to northwest as unobstructed as he can.
The ravens start scattering in a slow line, heading your direction... Djatrix and Vess'Sothek have been gone roughly 2 minutes.
After collecting a few crystals into his bags (trying to touch as little of the crystas as he can in the proccess), Djatrix turns to examine the roots, wondering how it grew so much in a single night.
Vess'Sothek does not mind the enclosed space, but he is reluctant to touch the stones. Watching Djatrix pick them up - even with care to avoid much contact - and sack them only serves to remind the Lizardfolk of the blue-tinged scales he received yesterday. He instead aids Djatrix by holding and moving the sack in such ways as to allow the most stones to be caught/put into it, but does his best to avoid all contact with them.
He has no problem, however, with investigating the roots in a personal manner, feeling their texture and inspecting their nature out of curiosity.
After collecting a few crystals into his bags (trying to touch as little of the crystas as he can in the proccess), Djatrix turns to examine the roots, wondering how it grew so much in a single night.
I know we seem to have hit a lull in the action/exploration, and Thanksgiving is coming up/folks with school will be busy.
Just wanted to say I understand, and there's no rush during the holidays. I will keep posting, as I really like this sandbox world, and I'm enjoying the level of description/immersion afforded by PbP.
I'm mostly waiting to see if the party takes any more specific courses of actions, above or below ground, before s*~+ inevitably hits the fan... :)