Alie does not detect any other magic in the room.
Before Maximo releases the prisoners, Baern insists "We should perhaps find out what they may know about what lies beyond before letting them go. Let them from the cages, certainly, but we should still ask."
One of the answers, "The derros rotated this chamber and left through another tunnel."
They don't know any other information but will gladly let themselves out. From the other similar room you guys know to flip the switch and rotate the room to head down the other corridor.
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"Allow me a few minutes of prayer and I will be ready to proceed."
Oswin says his prayers and readies his unutilized casting capacity.
Today's Spells:
Level 3: CSW x2, Daylight, Searing Light (domain)
Level 2: Bull's Strength x2, Bull's Strength, Bless Weapon (domain)
Level 1: Comprehend Languages, Protection From Evil x2, Shield of Faith (domain)
Level 0: Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Read Magic
Once you enter the Ismacco tunnel system, you find small scraps of paper scattered about the tunnels and following them eventually leads out of the Ismacco tunnel system and deeper into the caverns beneath Cassomir.
Salt deposits line the cavern ahead and several side passages branch east and west and run rich with blue crystals before ending at cave-ins. Eight smoldering torches illuminate a small tunnel ahead—beyond all is pitch black, though the sound of running water echoes out from the darkness.
You also find a note tucked under a rock near the torch-lit tunnel leading to a cavern beyond:
Hope is lost. The mites attempted a coup, but were betrayed by their own and murdered. My mind tires and I long for mercy in the bellies of the mite’s vermin rather than face the unknown terror that waits when the derros force me into the fetid pool I’ve heard bubbling in the room beyond.
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In hushed tones, Baern says "It is strange this missive is in the same location as the mites' revolt." He indicates the signs of battle, dried blood, and rusting daggers. "Perhaps if any mites survive, they may help us against any derros we come across."
"Now, how shall we proceed? I can see in this darkness, but others may rely on a light. What say ye?"
The party prepares to follow the tracks further into the caverns beneath Cassomir. A large pool fills most of this chamber, its green waters bathing the high ceilings in an eerie green light. The pool is open to the cavern on the south and east sides, but borders the cavern walls to the north and west. On the north side of the cavern, a small alcove sits above the water line, inside of which rests a small stone table. Dozens of corpses float serenely on the surface of the pool.
Hundreds of prisoners, both human and mite, fill the caverns to the west of the pool. A line of prisoners, herded by injured derros and mites, marches from the western caverns into the pool. Each time a body dips beneath the water, the stone table in the alcove north of the pool flashes in a near-blinding green brilliance, filling the entire cavern with near daylight brightness.
There are several dozen injured derros here and a handful of their remaining mite slaves. Once they see you, the derros ready themselves to attack, but are then swarmed by several brave prisoners and the captive mites who attempted the coup the night before. Completely overwhelmed, the derros try to beat back their attackers, while you face a much smaller group who have escaped from the prisoners to focus on you.
The commander raises a crossbow and fires at Max.
He then commands the other derros to move in and attack before trying to hide.
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"Ow! Where did you come from?" Maximo stares at the bolt sticking out of him. Pulling it out, he lays a hand on the wound with a prayer.
"One bolt shall not deter Maximo! To arms, my friends, to arms! Citizens of Taldor, fight for your lives and glory!"
Maximo gives a rousing speech, filling the hearts of all those in range of his voice with courage.
Kilian trips up the two derro!
Alie gives the party haste!
Oswin gives himself greater strength and moves up to the leader.
Max heals himself and then tries to inspire not only his allies but also the revolting citizens of Taldor.
With two hits Baern brings down one of the derro!
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With the suspicion that Max can not see him from across the room , the leader sends another bolt at the alchemist paladin bard.
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The other derro casts a spell from the ground and plummets the area into darkness.
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Baern swings at the other derro, completely unperturbed by the sudden strobing of light level.
"Let's put these fiends down fast! We have places to be!"
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"Oh!" Maximo stumbles as another bolt finds him. He looks down at it with confusion. "Aha! We meet again!"
Pulling out the bolt and dropping the bloody thing to the ground, he renews his rousing speech. "Friends! Countrymen! Fight on! These dishonorable denizens of the dark have no power over noble hearts!"
As he gives courage to those in earshot, he retrieves his wand and waves it over the wound.
Oswin casts daylight so that everyone can see!
With two more swings Baern brings down the second derro.
Max continues to inspire and heal himself, accepting his new role as pincushion.
Kilian closes in on the leader and hits him hard.
Alie tells a funny joke to the leader (who luckily speaks Common) and the derro falls over cackling.
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The derro overcomes his sudden fit of giggling.
Baern moves up and misses but Kilian and Oswin finish him off!
By this time the revolting citizens have taken care of the rest of the derros and are huddling up together for protection in case any more come. After a few minutes when it is apparent that no backup is arriving, they all rush over to thank you, albeit in a bittersweet moment as they lament those who were already lost in the strange pool. The mite coup leader signs a crude eagle symbol with his hands to Kilian and smiles weakly and then immediately flees.
You discover two letters on the derro corpses. The first confirms that the Aspis Consortium agent Kafar funded the smugglers who in turn supplied the cult. The second letter details plans to penetrate other Cassomir buildings (such as the Admiralty Citadel and Harbor Watch) and perform additional mass abductions in the near future.
With the derros defeated, you thwart the dark experimentations fated for most of the Swift’s inhabitants and employees, and uncover plans for additional mass abductions. This time, the authorities quickly plant guards and traps to spoil the derros’ advances. Soon the subterranean dwellers abandon their organized abductions in Cassomir—at least for a while.
The rescued Swift guards assist you in ushering the prisoners back up to Swift Prison. Once there, a member of the Cassomir constabulary asks you what you might know about the stolen chapel bell. When it becomes apparent that you inspected the Bell and found it safe less than an hour ago, he tells you that it must have been stolen while you were rescuing the captured guards and prisoners. He explains that a fellow constable found the following note nailed to the front door of the Greedy Narses:
Hestia,
You pathetic hag! Thanks to you and your Pathfinders, my assistant Nefti and I took one of Taldor’s greatest treasures. Don’t waste your time trying to track us, by now we sail on open waters, bound for a relic’s auction. Thanks for making us incredibly rich.
The one who bested you,
Kafar