The strange voice catches Valaria off-guard. "We mean no harm," she replies after a moment. "Errr, I think we can help. You might be the first person we've met down here that didn't attack on sight, so forgive me for my caution, but who are you and what's the trouble?"
The two shapes whisper to one another, before the male voice replies, "My name is Lann, and this is my friend, Dyra. We were assigned to man this tower, but then it collapsed. One of our own is trapped in the rubble. He will die if we do not act now. Please, if you can help, we need it. Otherwise, we beg that you leave us be. We do not need further misfortune."
Valaria looks back at the group. "You can call me Valaria. We got a few injuries ourselves when one of the tunnels collapsed a few minutes ago. We're not about to leave someone to die like that."
"Yup, I'm all for helping out!" Ary calls from the back, then says quietly, "Please don't be insane dwarves..."
The heroes come upon the fallen tower, and finally bring Lann and Dyra into the light.
Dyra is a hunchbacked woman. She attempts to call out to the group as they approach, but her face is so warped by tumors that she appears incapable of intelligible Common. Lann is a male, tall, thin creature that melds the features of an elven man, a goat, and a lizardfolk - yet somehow manages to make the patchwork features appear handsome, all things considered.
Behind them, you can barely see another creature, trapped under the rubble - a creature that appears to be mostly hobgoblin, with a scaled body, and cloven hooves. The others have cleared away enough rubble that only one large rock remains wedged in place over the small space the victim is trapped.
"Please be careful, as you can see, that rock is perilously placed. If it falls it will surely crush our friend," pleads Lann, still wielding his club. He appears on edge, and wary.
Approaching the tower, Valaria freezes at the sight of the strange creatures. She stops herself from gasping, but has absolutely no idea what they are. "Are these the mongrel things Aravashnial mentioned?" she wonders. "Looks like he was right again. Does he still count as a conspiracy theorist if he keeps being right?"
She shakes herself as the strange man talks. "Right, we'll be careful. So who's in the best shape for heavy lifting? And how many people are we going to get around this rock? I doubt anyone's lifting this alone."
Ary looks from person to person, confused, and eyebrows scrunching slightly. She'd been expecting more Valaria, and less... wild boar.
"Uh. Okay. Um." she stammers, as she moves forward, with her 'flaming' sword, shield on one arm. "Can Terendelev's scale lift objects, or just people? 'Cause that seems like the best option." she doesn't put away her sword, but that's for perhaps obvious reasons.
Li'an moves forward with the others, trying to figure out how best to help. If her scale had any power left for the day, it would no doubt be helpful here, unfortunately she'd used the last of it to grant Ehren the ability to track the then-soon-to-be-dead dwarf that had attacked them. "That would certainly make it much easier," she said, impressed with Ary's clever solution. "It's worth a try at the very least. Otherwise I imagine it'll be Hrut and you around the rock, plus whomever else we can fit, since the two of you are in the best shape. That is, of course, if Hrut is feeling up to it after being dug out only moments ago himself."
In the event that Terendelev couldn't solve all their problems (:p), Ary would move into a position to help lever the rock, putting her sword to the side to provide light. She'd look for a way to set up a pulley system, but she doubted it was an option... and they didn't really have time, just now, for them to make something, probably.
She'd wait until someone else started to try, and then add her own not-inconsiderable bulk to the mix.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ehren shakes his head. "The scale only works on living creatures. I suppose even Terendelev's power has its limits... or perhaps it is because of the bond the scales have with us...?" He leaves that train of thought there, tensing up as the prospect of excavating Lann and Dyra's friend arises.
Li'an moves into position to help Ary, trying to take advantage of her slender form to slip into a spot that would give her more leverage. "I'm ready when you are," after working out the most convenient way to grasp the rock from her spot.
Valaria steps forward to try and lend a hand. "I'll give it my best shot," she says.
Despite her efforts, her meager strength is insufficient to be of any help.
Markus gets under the rock beside Valaria and Li'an - he touches the rock his his hands and begins to heave up. He isn't particularly surprised by the appearance of strange hybrid-creatures down here - not because he knows what they are, but because they're underground, in the Worldwound. Anything could happen.
Ary, aided by Valaria, Li'an, and Markus are sufficient to lift the boulder. Lann darts in to pull his hooved friend out of the crevasse, allowing the four to drop the boulder back down into the hole.
The creatures embrace, and Lann turns to the group. "Thank you so much for saving Crel, friends. Please, what are your names?" he continues in his low, snake-like voice. His eyes dart over Ary's parade armor.
"You are....crusaders? Surface dwellers? Why are you here?"
"Ary Bishop." Ary offers. "Yeah, I'm a Crusader. Freshly minted, in fact. If Avi is right... you or your parents... were Crusaders, I take it?" she looks over her shoulder to the blind mage, by way of introduction, before offering her hand out.
"My name is Markus." he explains between tired gasps for air. "I am here to fight demons, yes. We got here by falling through a hole in the earth created when a gigantic demon struck the ground."
"Ehren Ferron," the druid says simply, happy to see that the rescue attempt was successful. The creatures (No, people, he decides) looked strange, but their concern for their friend and overt lack of hostility was more than enough to put him at ease.
"Li'an Va'ardalia," she says politely. "As Markus said, we wound up trapped down here after Kenabres was assaulted by demons. I'm sure you've felt the tremors. This earthquake, if Ehren here is correct, was the most recent result of the battle up above."
"Valaria Alazario. I'm not really a crusader, but I'm a traveler and friend to the crusaders here." She inclines her head toward the three odd people. "It's comforting to meet people down here that mean us no harm."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Lann shakes his head. "Hmmm... try my father's father's father was a crusader. Bishop? Like Sebastian Bishop? Who helped save the great barbarian city with only fifty men?" He asks, amazed. He returns Ary's handshake. His hand has only four fingers, big thick ones, with talons that end in spades. "I have heard tales. It is... unfortunate to hear that the war is going poorly," he adds, apologetically. "In any case, it is a pleasure to meet you all."
Anevia smiles, looking at Lann and his two friends curiously. "Um, I'm Anevia Tirablade. We've been wandering around lost for at least a day now." Lann nods, returning the smile.
Horgus, on the other hand, seems disgusted by these people. He huddles behind Ary. "Hmph. I don't like the look of these... things. These mongrel men. Ary, do not trust them. This is clearly some sort of ruse. They just want to rob us." Lann's smile vanishes.
"I hadn't heard it put that way..." Ary smiled. "But yeah, my great-great Grandfather was Sebastian. It... hasn't gone well." she explained, before turning her attention to Horgus, "Nothing to worry about, I'll make sure of it." then turned her attention back to Lann with a slight shrug. "This is Horgus Gwerm, a generous benefactor to the war effort. Which... wasn't going terribly until a Demon Lord brought an army against the city. Speaking of which... we should probably go. Each time they hit the Wardstone of Kenabres, the ground quakes. It might not be safe for your people to stay down here..."
She looked to the others for verification. "That's assuming the quakes keep happening..."
The wonder of meeting a strange new race is momentarily smothered at Horgus' words. "Must you," she says to him. "Must you really? These people are the descendant of the crusaders, the crusaders that you support. They're friendly, a first for these caves, and frankly we've been utterly lost the entire time and they may be able to help. Must you antagonize someone who has done nothing to earn it yet?"
"Hmph. If they were all good people then why are they hiding around underground? Maybe they were the ones who summoned the demons underneath of the city!" Horgus grunts, completely suspicious of these three people.
Lann's brow furrows. "Right. It's alright. My people cannot return to the surface for fear of being killed on sight," he explains. "I am relieved that you are not of that mind. I had hoped that times have changed, but apparently not," he adds, looking at Horgus.
Crel, a big, muscular, hobgoblin-looking fellow, gives Gwerm a withering stare, causing him to retreat behind Ary.
Valaria prickles and glares at Horgus. She points at her horns. "See these? I spent six hours in a dark room with a pair of inquisitors from the church of Iomedae just because I tried to enter the city through the front gate. They thought I might be a spy just because of my blood. You think they'd be treated any better? If everyone reacts like you to them, I'm not surprised they stay underground."
She glances at the mongrel and bows her head again. "I'd like to think that people are better than that, but every society has prejudices, no matter if they're fair or not."
Ary stood her ground between the two, but stayed out of the argument that she didn't have a horse in. She thought that the sky crashing down on them was more important... but she'd just said yesterday that things needed to be aired out.
And she'd already told Horgus how she felt about racism.
Lann sighs, clearly a little upset, but still grateful that these people had saved Crel's life.
"You look hurt. And you say you're lost? Maybe I can repay you. First, we should go to Neathholm. That's our settlement, it is maybe an hour away. Our spiritual leader, Seer Opoli, he knows healing magic. And our leader, Chief Sull, would be able to repay our debt to you."
"I'm sorry, Lann." Ary says with a shrug, "While I'd be glad to have your people help us, it's going to be difficult for you aboveground. I don't really know you, but I also haven't judged you at all. People are going to run the gamut of reactions. There are people who hate me because of my last name, just like there are people who treat me as a hero. I can understand wanting to be acknowledged for you who are, rather than the circumstances of your birth. But you'll have to expect all manner of reaction. It's part of life." she shrugs again.
"As for repayment... I don't need any. I suspect you'd have offered the same aid if you'd come upon us ten minutes ago, when I was buried."
Li'an also glared at Horgus as he aired his biases. "I could've sworn we had a discussion yesterday about passing judgement on others..." she said coldly to the portly nobleman.
"Understand that not everyone above is this way, there are those of us in the crusades who welcome help in any form." Li'an said to Lann apologetically. "We would be grateful if you would welcome us to your settlement, we are in need of shelter and a chance to recouperate."
"Oh, and what she said. I would kill for a bath." Ary nodded.
Earlier:
Slowly limping toward the boulder Hrut takes a side as well,
"Hurry on out of there, I was buried earlier and it is not pleasent!"
-------------------
Looking at each one of the mongrel men with scrutiny,
"Well we are not all blindly judging, I think everyone should have an opportunity to prove themselves, I am sorry you folks are forced to stay here for fear of death just because of what you look like."
I cant see in the dark or do any fancy tricks per say, but at least I can go where I please for the most part without scrutiny, I would hate to be Val, or one of these poor people.
Valaria smiles at the mongrels. "Thank you. We're very grateful for your offer. If no one has more complaints..." Her eyes flick to Horgus again. "Then we'd be happy to accompany you."
Lann smiles widely at Li'an and Hrut, revealing a mouth full of tiny, pointed teeth.
"Great! I'm glad. Chief Sull will want to meet you. It is strange to have met two sets of surface dwellers recently who did not want to kill us immediately. We have not had contact with surface dwellers for many years, after all. Our leaders always told us to stay hidden, for our own good.
Horgus grumbles to himself, but he stays with Ary. "You should be careful about these people," he whispers to her.
The group continues onwards for Neathholm. "There used to be a shortcut...over there," Lann explains, gesturing at a caved-in tunnel. "That caved in during the first earthquake. So now we must take the long way." He leads the group into a different tunnel. There are at least ten possible exits from this cavern, but Lann seems confident as to know where to go.
"Many died when the tower collapsed. Dyra, Crel, and myself, are the only survivors. We will need to bring shovels to dig out our dead," he says sadly, trying to make conversation as he leads them through the narrow, winding tunnels.
Ary says aloud to Hrut, "I'm careful of all people. That's part of having been born in the Stolen Lands, I guess. Doesn't mean I won't be polite." she shrugs.
"How long ago did the other surface dwellers come through?" Ary asked, tilting her head.
"If you need help digging some of your own out I will be more than willing to assist you. Did you say two sets of travelers? What did the ones before us look like and which way did they go?" Maybe too eager sounding about the preceding party.
"Other surface dwellers? What did they look like?" Markus tilts his head. Who could possibly be down here? More survivors? Or the actual targets of Horgus' suspicion?
Valaria nods. "I'm sorry for your loss. Many people on the surface were lost during the demon attack that caused the quakes. They've taken many lives today." She tilts her head. "Did you mention more surface dwellers?" She wonders if there are more survivors somehow, or if it's more madmen or outcasts like Millorn, or even Aravashnial's supposed cultists.
"Hmmm, there were... six of them I believe? They wore black and red. I did not like them. Lead by a woman named Hosilla. She.... preached falsehoods. Gained followers amongst us, then left. Effectively split our tribe in half about a month ago." He frowns.
Aravashnial perks up as he listens to their conversations. Not remembering to introduce himself, he interjects. "Fascinating! So my theory about the mongrels was true?" Lann flinches at the term, but Aravashnial's spirits are up - almost manic.
"Do you mind if I ask you some questions? This is an incredible discovery!" Lann contemplates this for a moment, then concedes. "We traveled through a room previously, it had engravings of the crusaders. Did your people carve those?"
"Yes. I believe my ancestors once lived in those caverns, but when the tribe grew too big, we split up, forming settlements such as Neathholm."
"So there are entire societies of mongrels? Amazing," Aravashnial gushes. Lann seems annoyed.
The description of the woman worries Valaria a bit. What these people call 'falsehoods' can't be something good. "Do you remember what she talked about? If there's someone down here that's dangerous, anything we know could be useful."
She shoots a glare at Aravashnial, not able to tell if he doesn't realize he's bothering the... well she doesn't know what to call them either, but still... with his insistence on using the term 'mongrel'. "So your ancestors came down here after the first crusade, correct? You seem to have set your society up rather well down here. You must have a name for yourselves by now."
Going to Aravashnial's side, she speaks quietly to him. "I know you're just curious to learn about them, it does seem that you were right that the descendants of the crusaders came down here. But keep in mind that the term 'mongrel' may effectively be a slur given the circumstances that brought them down here. If you'd like to learn more about them, maybe it would be best to find out what they call themselves first?"
"I.... yes." It is clear that Aravashnial did not consider that perspective before. "My apologies, then."
Lann sighs. "How about... 'People of Neathholm?' I guess when you look as different from one another as we do, you learn to stop focusing on the external." He shoots a grateful smile at Li'an. "Don't get me wrong. I am grateful that you are trying to empathize. You are a far picture from the surface dwellers that the elders warned us about. Especially you," he adds to Valaria, seeming as intrigued by her as Aravashnial is of himself. "Forgive my rudeness, but are you what they call, demon-blooded? There was someone who looked a bit like yourself with Hosilla."
Addressing Valaria's previous question, he adds, "Basically, she informed us that if we wanted to live on the surface world, that we should take it. That message appealed to some of us. We are many generations removed from the Crusaders, after all. Why should we count ourselves among those who despise us? But I think to respond to hate with hate is purposeless," he concludes, sadly.
Valaria tilts her head curiously as the man addresses her, then flinches at his question. "Yes," she says after a momentary pause. "The modern term on the surface is 'tiefling' for anyone touched by fiendish blood like myself, but demon-blooded is actually correct in my case. It's something that I work to overcome, though some days it's easier than others."
She frowns. "That's... worrying. I'm certainly glad that some of your people are wise enough to overcome the hatred that drove you down here, but it's worrying that someone tried to stir up trouble. Maybe she's involved with the events up in the city." She trails off, wondering what has been going on under Kenabres recently.
"That thought is wise," Ehren agrees, having followed along in silence until then. "I suppose my own people came to the same conclusion. Except they stayed away from Kenabres, and not under it."
He looks at Valaria for a moment before nodding. "Only one month ago... the timing does not bode well."
Ary frowns. "Worse, they wore my Lady's colors when they did it."
"Taking back topside doesn't sound like something the Crusade would be suggesting, so... I'm with Val. I don't like it." she said, following along.
"Were they uniforms, like mine, or just ordinary clothes, or armored with the lady's symbols and the like?" She said, focusing on something that mattered a lot more to her than race.
Listening to his story,
"Hmm, Aravashnial do you recall anything different a month ago, or any of you for that matter? I had only been in the city a few days so I would have missed anything during that time frame."
I will have to remember this so I can bring that information to anyone who may have survived, this act will not go unsolved or unpunished.