Selindra sets out her coil of rope, and hands it to the others, fastening it around her middle before starting her climb down the side of the chasm.
Godwin shrugs off his Split Mail as it would hinder his climbing. Placing it carefully down along with his kit he offers to help lower the rope so that anyone who is not a good climber can merely hold on to the rope and be lowered down.
Selindra clambers over the ledge, and gets about 1/2 way down when her footing slips, but she's able to hold onto the rope and get her balance again, making her way down the rest of the way to the chasm's bottom. . Godwin hauls the rope back up, crafting a loop at the end for anyone to sit in and be lowered.
Selindra finds nothing at the bottom, except the remains of what was once obviously the bridge that spanned the 70' long chasm. Dust is still settling from its collapse, leading everyone to believe that it was also a casualty of the happenings in Kenabres.
Godwin carries his mail and kit with him and will attempt to climb down and climb up the other side to begin the process of hauling everyone up.
We can use the levitation scale for the last person to get down and then back up. It should not take more than a few rounds. Heck, the last person can just stay levitated and those below can pull him/her across with the rope while staying levitated.
With the use of the ropes and the power of Terendelev's scale, the group is easily able to traverse the chasm, amidst wide eyed looks of amazement from Lann and his group.
Lann leads you on skirting past tunnels that are easily determined as cave ins. After about 20 minutes, he leads you towards a circular cavern, but stops you just before you are ready to enter.
"We normally avoid this cavern. It is home to a dreadful creature. A fungal creature known as a spore-cougher, which fills the area with a cloud of spores when disturbed. The spores cause odd behavior, and have been known to kill. With any luck, the creature is hunting elsewhere, and we can sneak through. If not, we should be able to overcome the monster."
When Lann leads you forward, the tunnel opens into a circular cavern, roughly forty feet in diameter. Thick sheets of fungus grow in the cave, and several tunnels branch off. All of these save one in the north wall lead downward; the norhern one leads upwards. What appear to be two dead bodies lie on the ground in the middle of the cave, next to a strange heap of ropy green fungus.
Lann and the other Mongrelmen move forward slowly with wide smiles crossing their faces. Lann turns back to the group, "That is the spore cougher. It appears we will no longer need to fear this cavern."
Knowledge(nature):
Spore monsters bore Drakra, so he ignored that section of the last book he was reading.
Who are the dead? Godwin asks. They should not be left here after their fatal struggle with the creature
Moving past the mongrelmen, Flynn raises his shield and examines the area.
"Careful! Let one of us check it out first."
Godwin nods and moves in carefully with Flynn.
When the group approaches, they see at a casual glance that the two dead men are dressed as crusaders of Iomedae, each with a masterwork chain shirt. Curiously though, they carry glaives and a spiked gauntlet instead of longswords which would be typical of Iomedae's followers. Closer examination reveals that one carries a Violet, Peppery, Bubbly and Bitter potion, and the other has a scroll case with a scroll in it. The man with the scroll is also clutching tightly to a small symbol depicting a brass bull's head with tiny red gemstone eyes.
Knowledge(religion):
Knowledge(arcane):
Drakra scratches his head:
I wonder why some crusaders would be carrying the unholy symbol of Baphomet, demon patron of beasts, labyrinths and minotaurs, wielding the preferred weapons of the demon patron, and carrying a scroll of cause fear? Maybe they found them and were going to return the accursed items to the temple above.
I am far more suspicious of their motives than you are I fear friend Drakra. Especially considering what just happened above. Godwin's expression is grim as he takes the potions. Perhaps you can carry the symbol? I do not wish to touch it.
Drakra looks at the unholy symbol uneasily:
Perhaps we can put it in a sack or something. Symbols of demon kind are not really something I enjoy carrying either.
Godwin nods Yes, in a sack, and then we report this to the proper authorities... if they still exist
"Painful as it is to admit, we have all heard about the fallen. Heroes or not, it is surely possible that they may have been led astray."
Flynn says with a frown. Looking around for more dangers, he grips his shield tightly.
Godwin hangs onto the potion of cure light wounds and waits until the blasphemous symbol has been picked up as well as the scroll. Then he motions to Lann to continue on.
Drakra will take the scroll.
At the mention of the fallen, Aravashnial perks up. "Fallen? what exactly did you find?" He seems excited about the prospect.
Darker looks up at the blind man.
Two dead wearing Iomedean crusader garb. Both carrying glaives and spiked gauntlets, not exactly Iomedea's preferred weapons. One had a Baphomet holy symbol, the other a scroll of cause fear. Once again, unless they were spies deeply imbedded in the enemies ranks, I do believe we have found cultists or fallen or some other humans who felt that consorting with Abyssal powers would be fun.
UNholy symbol Godwin corrects with a rumble.
Drakra chuckles and points at the bull's head symbol.
Nope, see right there in the middle, where the brain should be. It has a big hole. So, it is a holy symbol.
Drakra crosses his arms and smiles looking very smug with himself.
Selindra covers her face with one of her mailed hands, shaking her head at the gnome. "I swear Drakra you are a test of the Inheritor on my patience."
Selindra looks at the fallen for a moment. Perhaps then the fall of the great Silver was not something random, but something that had been in the works for some times. I dearly hope that the wardstone lies intact. I fear for us all if it does not...
She sighs, watching the others, and takes up her place at the front of the group, trying to lead the way on.
Grimacing at he bodies, Flynn hangs his flail on his belt.
With a quick prayer to Iomedae, he draws his long sword and resumes the rear guard position.
"This proof! Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth in Iomedae livery. We need to take these bodies with us as proof to show the church!"
Anevia just looks disgusted at Aravashnial's proclamation "We leave these cretins where they fell. They'll just slow us down." A frown crosses her brow, which softens "We need to get to the city. Irabeth and the others..."
Let us see find out how easy it is to get back to the surface.. if it is not then we'll take the symbol.. and the gauntlets... as proof. Godwin says. For now let us get to the Mongrelmen's home.
Drakra nods in agreement with Godwin.
I doubt I would be much use carrying bodies either way. I might be able to get them to chase me, but these two look to be a little past responding to insults.
Lann leads you on for about another 15 minutes until you get to a 20 foot cavern with a large stone door guarded by 4 Mongrelmen. When they see the group coming they take a defensive stance, until they see that Lann is with the group. After that, they begrudgingly allow the group into the chamber beyond the door.
A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundred foot-wide cavern, the walls and ceiling aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky one-hundred-foot-wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake's closest shore.
The group is escorted to the largest building atop the hill, and lead in front of a bloated and unpleasant looking Mongrelman, with one clouded over eye. "Welcome. First let me extend our thanks for rescuing Crel. Our community is small, so any loss is sorely felt. I am Chief Sull, the leader of this small settlement. I bid you all welcome. You are among friends here, but I must ask, how is it you came to be so far below your city?"
Godwin's face falls as he relates the horrifying news.
We fell Chief Sull. And it is a miracle, grace be to the Light of the Sword, that we survived. The city above... has been attacked by an overwhelming force of demons. We saw.. Terendelev the silver dragon die in it's defense as we fell into a rift created by demonic power. What has happened since then we cannot say.
Chief Sull frowns at the mention of the news from above. "I understand that you'll want to get to the surface above and we can help you but on one condition I think you'll find easy to accept. My kind, all of us down here, may be considered outcasts and freaks to topsiders, but our ancestors drove back the demons in the First Crusade. We have a vested interest in seeing the demons defeated as much and even maybe moreso than anyone. It's a matter of ancestral pride. If it comes to a fight we want to be involved. We will stand with Kenabres to defend the city. If you take that message to the topside, we will show you the way to the surface."
Selindra frowns listening to the chief. "Of course we would welcome your help Chief Sull. Though I feel the need to ask..., you request this as if you expect to be denied the chance?"
Chief Sull smiles softly at Selindra's question, "No no, my dear, I did not expect that you would refuse, but I did not want to assume or demand that you take the message. Nor did I want to assume or demand that the people of Kenabres to accept our help. Our visages are... Sull sighs, "deformed, twisted. Some would say tainted by the fell energies that our ancestors were subjected to. That taint continues through, generations later. Toplanders have a hard time with things that are not normal, or beautiful to their standards. We are often met with revulsion even when our capabilities are equal to our counterparts." He looks at the group with conviction, his one good eye holding each of yours in turn. "My sincere hope is that with your sponsorship, the people of Kenabres will accept our help."
"Honor and goodness are not determined by a beautiful appearance. Many things may be hidden under the surface, good or ill. I will gladly help you and accept your help in return."
Sull looks at Flynn with gratitude, and nods his head, "Assuming that you speak the minds of your group, I would be glad to tell you the way out. The nearest way out is to the south, but it is guarded by a group of traitors." Sull all but spits the word out contemptuously. "They've joined with a cult of demon worsippers, who no doubt will try to use, or judging from what you've reported already use the tunnels as a means to enter the city above. My own forces are spread too thin at the moment. They've been sent far into the tunnels to gather other Mongrelmen to join our clan, and help defend us from the traitors. But while I cannot pledge any men to help you there, I will offer the aid that I can. My alchemists have created several potions, and you are welcome to them. Likewise you are welcome to spend as long as you like in Neatholm. You'll find that we have many of the goods that you would find in Kenabres, although they may be slightly different. We trade with other underground races for much of our goods.
Drakra listens to the leader of the Mongrelmen, when he mentions a way back to sunlight, the gnome's heart is lifted. When he continues as say that the way is guarded by traitors and demon worshippers, Drakra becomes frustrated.
But, why are there traitors there? Why have you not wiped them out? Do you know if they possess any special abilities? Magic? Weapons? Bad jokes?
They have already said they are spread thin Drakra. But it would be good to know what they are capable of indeed. So we may prepare ourselves to attack and eliminate them.
Sunlight was sorely missed by the inquisitor but the word 'traitor' stirred his sense of justice.
"Just show us the way. It sounds like these traitors need to be shown who really is worthy of worship."
"There are many Mongrelmen there, and until recently they were a seemingly peaceful tribe, but they joined league with a group of demon worsippers. They killed the tribe leader, and since then the tribe, has become hostile about guarding their lair. The new leader is a top lander, a spell caster, who makes no mystery her love of demons."
Only Drakra is good at stealth among us. We are well suited for a frontal assault. Any assistance you could provide in our attack would be welcome
Selindra nods to the others. "They are the gateway to the surface. If you would be willing to assist us in making it topside, I am more than willing to vouch for you to whatever is left of Kenebras."
Listens to the others, though she finds a spot to sit, and starts her ritual of battle preparations.
Drakra shakes his head:
Um, I am much better with my tongue than any frontal assault. Unlike you big lugs, us gnomes are fragile. Fragile I tell you.
"I can have Lann show you to the gate and accompany you to the surface if you like. If you wish to rest before taking on the traitors please do. If not, I will give you this now, and have Lann show you."
With that he hands over a parcel that contains 6 Violet, Peppery smelling, Bubbly and Bitter potions, and three Light Yellow, Mettalic odor, Syrupy texture, and Sweet tasting potions.
Many thanks for these. What say the rest of you. A rest would be good. We have been travelling without rest since we fell.
After a night's rest, Lann and Chief Sull meet with you in the morning. They give you time to do any trading or selling of goods that you wish to do, and then lead you to a large door.
Lann looks at the group, The route behind this door will lead us directly to the traitors, and past that the surface."
Sull bids you all farewell, shaking your hands in turn, which all the companions save Horgus meet with graciousness. Horgus seems mildly reviled by the contact, and seems anxious to go. Aravashnial speaks briefly about wanting to come back and learn more about the Mongrelmen, and is invited to do so. When you are ready to leave, Sull extends that invitation to you all, "If you need to rest, or recuperate from your battles with the traitors, you are always welcome here. If you should make it through without needing to return, then I eagerly await word of whether or not the crusaders above wish us to join the battle against the demons."
Ali sighed, "Rest is well received but I long for sunshine. We will battle these traitors and return word from above to you."
After a brief rest, the group follows Lann through a large door that leads to a tunnel. Following the tunnel for almost 1/2 an hour, you start to notice that the walls are getting closer together until the passage becomes a 5ft passage. Lann stops the group, and quietly says, "The entrance to the traitors' lair is through this passage."
Selindra found a quiet corner, not quite secluded but certainly private. She took the time to wash, check her armor, and her blade and shield. She then knelt down, point of the blade to the ground, as she spent a significant amount of time in supplication. If anything, she seemed to be tense. Yet something in her presence, something about her time spent alone in prayer seemed to give her an extra sense of strength, and power. A new sense of purpose and a fresh perspective.
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As they encroach on the traitor's lair, Selindra looks to the others. "Drakra, do you want to try and slip in there? Or would you rather I take the front? It doesn't seem like there is going to be much wiggle room once we get going."