Lyr ducked into the shadows at the edge of the site and looked for further danger. Finding none, he took note of the makeup of the group who'd just fended off the worm-infested corpses. Gnome, dwarf, orc...
This was the group they were supposed to meet. A spike of anxiety suddenly gripped his chest.
He was supposed to step out and make himself known. To speak with them and join their causes, but he felt paralyzed. He looked over his shoulder to Zoso, his internal conflict plain on his scarred face.
Far overhead, a large falcon circled lazily.
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Seeing Lyr's discomfort, Zoso nods to him and whispers "It'll be alright, we'll handle this like we normally do. I'll lead and talk, and you two'll watch our backs for something suspicious." Zoso references Beacon circling above. "Follow me while I step out, bow notched but not drawn on them."
Zoso moves out from the cover and walks with care in his step, careful in case an enemy is hidden within the tents. He moves into plain sight in front of Saphren and Reva. He can see a zombie by a tent but doesn't have a clear shot.
Holding his bow with an arrow notched in his left hand, Zoso holds his right hand up, hand open and palm towards the two strangers as a sign of acknowledgement and peace.
"I received a message from my brother across the water.." Zoso softly sings to himself, casting Message as he points to Saphren, Reva, and Magnus, whom he spies half hidden by a tent as well.
"We are support sent by Kwava, how much of this threat is left?"
Magnus nearly jumps out of his armour at the sound of a voice over his shoulder. He swipes at the empty air behind him instinctively, before glowering at the newcomer. He stomps through the grease spell, bringing his hammer down on the head of the final zombie.
"Zis Elbow of ze Devil is overrun. Ve haff... no time for the chattingk." he spits, raising a mailed fist to signal Clegg's thugs to stand down before folding his arms, a stare like iron fixed on the elf. He casts a sideways glance to Trig. "...Reva vill know what to make of zis one."
"Chatting? Who are you talking to, Magnus?" asks Trig, not aware of the message spell.
After making sure Reva is ok Saphren comes trotting around the corner prepared to assist Magnus and see's the newcomers. Only slightly comforted when he hears Kwava's name he finishes his move to be adjacent to the final undead. Fight now. Talk later. he intones.
CRUNCH
Magnus brings down his hammer, ending the unlife of the last void zombie.
End of Combat
Reva calls out as she hears something, and rushes forwards with the rest of the group. She is a lean half-elven woman with a hard, stern face and liquid movements. Zincher's thugs, with their leader absent, just remain at a distance and quiet. Akron, the huge, bald-headed hireling from Riddleport, steps up with the rest of you to peer over the two newcomers. Her eyes flash briefly white.
She turns and inclines her head very briefly to Magnus before calling out to the rest of the camp.
"We were expecting these two. Nothing to worry about."
Although the thugs glare suspiciously, particularly after the unexpected zombie attack, they get to work cleaning up the bodies and leave you all alone. Akron barks some orders before helping with the cleanup.
Reva waves the rest of you towards Zoso and Lyr, stepping a small distance away from the camp.
"Let's speak out of earshot then. I am Reva of Iomedae and I will know if you are lying to me. Explain yourselves to me and my companions."
Saphren takes up a position to support Reva and nods Yea! and the newcomers.
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Zoso watches the comrades rally around each other, he has a soft chuckle and loosens himself from his battle posture. He looks down briefly and removes his arrow, returns it to his quiver, then stows his long bow as well. "I truly love seeing people that work well together," he responds with a beaming smile. "the road can be so dark and dreary without the blinding light of friendship.'
What the group sees before them is an Elf standing at 6'3", who has mahogany colored skin and sun streaked hair that both match an exquisite mandolin seen slung around his shoulder. It complements an equally attractive longbow that hangs to the opposite side from what appears to be a well assorted quiver. He is quite thin and lanky, reflecting his years behind strings rather than iron. His hair is long, unbound, and wavy but his clothes tell a tidier story. While they are not excessive, his brown and tan garments are well made and tailored, teetering between fashion and function.
Zoso looks at them with calm eyes of orange and blue swirls that express enjoyment in this initial absorption of several strong personalities. Watching their defensive dynamic amuses him. "I am Zoso Cendele'tiqile, and my colleague is Lyr Scarheart." Zoso gestures to Lyr behind him. "We're Drow experts, dedicated to the study and more importantly the eradication of the Blight. Our connections got us involved with Kwava locally here and thus he pointed us to you. I heard some of what you dealt with in Riddleport, it is our pleasure to have the opportunity to work with all of you in this cause." Zoso speaks humbly and with respect, though his grin never completely fades. His body language is relaxed, as were his movements and voice quite fluid.
Magnus stares levelly at the newcomer, regarding him as if he were a bit touched. He ponders for a moment before speaking. "Ah... Vhat ve haff here is... how you say... Tourists." the dwarf says, brusquely. "Nobody else is zis happy to be in Riddleport."
"Kwava sent you? Well, we've seen no Drow at all here.. unless they got turned into zombies."
When introduced, and when it was clear that these folks were not going to attack them, Lyr stepped out from behind the trees he was half-hidden behind.
The contrast to his partner was stark. Zoso was tall and sun-kissed, full of exuberance. Lyr was pale and stern, with a multitude of scars that covered his neck and face. He was thin, bordering on frail-looking, and also short for an elf. He looked like he'd spent much of his life malnourished.
One of his eyes was a fairly normal shade of blue. The other was damaged, a scar running through it, the iris broken. It was milky white rimmed in red. If he still had sight in that eye, it couldn't be worth much.
He wore dark clothes and armor, well suited to camouflage. His left shoulder had a large, reinforced pauldron. His left arm was sheathed in a heavy hawker's gauntlet. He had a large quiver on his back, and another one hanging from his belt.
"If they were here, you would not see them." Lyr said flatly.
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"Tourists.., that's much too leisurely for us, I prefer traveler of time and space personally.." Zoso trails off as he looks to Lyr, the presence of whom always reminds him of their task and the dire nature it can take.
He turns back to the group with a more serious demeanor, "Our immediate interest is in the falling star. Being so near to the Blot event, our suspicions are quite high. Have you made it yet to the site?"
Yea, we made it and scarfed up some starmetal too. Don't think to be trying to push in on that deal either. Saphren looks skeptical at the newcomers. If Kwava send you how about you describe the half elf to us. he says.
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"The white-haired full Elf with a strange lilting accent?" Zoso questions back to Saphren with a smirk, knowing what he was trying to do.
"Perhaps you won't be 'pushing in' on my bottle of Kwava's wine then." He thinks to himself, remembering the battered Gold Goblin and musing of what other ways he could prove their contacts are one in the same.
"We were only given was this map of Devil's Elbow," Zoso removes the map from his belt pouch, "and the direction to seek a group consisting of a dwarf, gnome, half-breed elf, Tien elf, and a half-orc."
Looking at the group Zoso realizes one of those is missing and feels some of the weight of their journey. "My condolences for your fallen friend, may their songs be sung for eternity."
Reva seems to relax a little as she listens to Zoso and Lyr talk before she turns to the others, speaking softly.
"Thank you. She died bravely and is in her goddess' arms now." She looks to the others. "I trust them. I detect no evil, nor lies from them. The information they were given was correct."
Speaking rapidly, Reva starts to fill in the two newcomers on the goings-on thus far.
"We are here for two reasons. The Blot, the falling star, and the drow appear to all be connected in some way that involves this island - we intend to find that out. A bounty of skymetal should also be here. Upon arrival, we found the island overrun with strange blue creatures called akata whose bite infects victims with their young - the zombies who attacked us were not victims of necromancy, but instead infested by the akata."
She inclines her head to the camp.
"Clegg Zincher, a gang boss from Riddleport runs this camp. In the interests of mutual safety we have agreed to work for him hunting akata and sourcing skymetal. That big bald man is Akron Erix, a sellsword who is Clegg's second in command. Clegg has exhibited strange behaviour in leaving the camp every night."
She thinks for a moment.
"I do not believe I have left out anything important, but the others can fill you in as well. Our plan for the morning is to find out what Zincher has been up to."
Saphren sheaths his weapon, which in at least his mind is acceptance. And last night. Saphren adds quietly. Official plan is to go search for more metal in the morning but double back and follow the trail Clegg takes. So, you two in? If so what can you do? You have seen us fight. We have not had the same chance with you.
Lyr whistled. The massive blue and grey eagle that had been circling came down to alight on his arm. He scratched it a moment then transferred it to his shoulder. "I am a hunter and a scout. Also a passable alchemist. I am favored of Ketephys, his heralds and followers answer my call."
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Zoso puts his hands on his hips and lightly teases Saphren, "Do you need me to play a jig for ya? Shoot an apple off someone's head?" followed by a wink. " I can assure you all, you'll never have been in a better battle than one that's fought under my war songs. Of course we're in."
Zoso feels like Lyr and himself have been accepted, albeit it seems temporary and with healthy suspicion. "Perhaps we should be introduced to this Zincher gang we'll be camping with? I'd like to get a read on these guys if we'll be investigating their secrets."
Zilcher has slipped out, like we said. Saphren intones. I'll show you off to Clegg though. That guy should be happy to see reinforcements.
The camp eventually settles down, and you are all able to return to bed, although set watches not really trusting Zincher's hirelings to do a reasonable job of keeping watch on the camp. The rest of the night passes uneventfully, and you all wake up early to see Zincher back at the camp, looking tired and a little bewildered.
Within one of the tents is the sound of groaning, thrashing, and pain. Zincher immediately shouts at his men.
"Harvest the damn larva and shut those men up!"
Clegg Zincher himself is broad-shouldered, with short gray hair and the wrinkles of a man who has known hard outdoors work. An amulet with a two-headed roc bounces against his chest, and he weathers a leather cord on his shoulder threaded with trophies like goblin ears.
He spreads a craggy grin to Zoso and Lyr.
"Reinforcements, eh? Good. You get the same deal as the others. Get to work when you can. Be thorough in your searches." Zincher emphasis the last sentence.
You immediately pick up that there is something very strange about this man's behaviour. He appears to be trying to say or imply something that he can't state outright, like he's fighting against some sort of constraint or control.
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"You got it, clear the island and mine the metal." Zoso is terse with the man who appears to not mess around, figuring it'd be best to stay off his radar while they're snooping around his odd behavior. Zoso's mind locks in on the phrase 'harvest the damn larva' though.
'So he sees value in these Akata larva? With the sound of his operation in that tent, I don't trust that he fully knows what he is doing with the things...we'll need to watch out for when this backfires on him and his men...' Zoso ponders as he waits to once again be in the privacy of the newly formed group. He looks to Lyr and tries to gauge how he is doing. Then slightly adjusts his bow and quiver on his back, ready to stalk this mysterious nighttime path.
"I vould vager his intentions with these larvae are... less than pleasant." Magnus says darkly, inside the tent and away from the others.
Lyr's eyes pinched a bit. His damaged eye glazed over to a strange green-gold and he took a long look at this man called Clegg.
You do see a magical aura - there is some spell on Clegg as well as a few magical items on him. Whether it is defense or offensive you are unable to tell without better knowledge of arcane magic.
Clegg looks strangely at Lyr as he casts a couple of orisons, and grunts, turning away.
"Keep the finger wiggling out of my sight and get to work."
Clegg draws a long knife from his belt and makes his way over to the tent with the groaning.
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The lot of you make your way a short distance from the camp until you're clearly out of sight, and then start to take a look over the area where Clegg was traveling.
Reva holds out a hand, gesturing for the rest of you to move back, and crouches, peering over the trail Zincher had apparently been taking.
"If there's one thing I can find, it is the tracks of a criminal... there. This way."
Reva follows some heavy footprints through the grass until she comes across a path which was not easily visibly from the camp. It leads southwards towards the cliffs on the shore, and soon you find yourselves walking along a hidden pathway high up on the cliffs, looking out to the lagoon.
The path along the cliff face is only five feet wide and shows a dizzying view of the lagoon below. From the sea, it would be almost impossible to spot. Slowly but surely, the path winds downwards with the cliffs, until it ends at a spur of rock some 20' above the sea.
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At the rocks, Zoso takes in a deep breath of the fresh salty air and looks around for signs of Clegg's nightly adventures.
As usual, his abstract mind well sharpened for story telling and melodies fails to firmly grab hold onto the concrete details around him. His mandolin swings from it's resting place into playing position and he softly strums a tune that he knows Lyr is fond of, it cuts his nerves and lets Lyr focus more intently on his surroundings.
Inspire Competence +2 to Lyr's Perception checks.
Spahren looks up in irritation at the bard. First time sneaking up on someone? he asks in a quite but sarcastic voice.
"If there's one thing I can find, it is the tracks of a criminal... there. This way."
Reva follows some heavy footprints through the grass until she comes across a path which was not easily visibly from the camp. It leads southwards towards the cliffs on the shore, and soon you find yourselves walking along a hidden pathway high up on the cliffs, looking out to the lagoon.
Lyr ignored the unpleasant man and followed Reva, whatching her tracking techniques and occasionally pointing out things she may have missed.
"That man, Clegg, is being influenced by something. Whatever it is, it is not magical. He was trying to... tell us something, but could not say what he wished."
"How do you know it isn't magical?"
Reva starts poking around the area with the assistance of the group, and lets out an "Ah hah!" as she finds a hidden fissure which leads into a dark cave.
"We can squeeze through here, it may be unpleasant for Magnus but there appears to be a cave complex north of here."
Let me scout it out? Saphren suggests.
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"..well..I was playing softly.." Zoso trails off saying as he shoulders the instrument again since Reva has found the hidden path forward.
"That sounds fine to me though. I see well in the dark and can actually be quite sneaky when trying. If you need a second pair of eyes in there come back and I can help out."
Saphren nods and mouths Then follow. as he slips into the cave system.
Not bad. Saphren thinks as he allows himself a smile. It would be good to have someone to stealth with him. Maybe he is not so green after all.
"How do you know it isn't magical?"
"He bore no auras of enchantment beyond a few baubles. If his actions were created by magic, it is not magic that lingers. That is rare, to my knowledge."
Lyr shadowed them as well, finding a spot out of sight as soon as Saphren started working, and following without a word.
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Saphren moves through the fissure which finally comes to a door, which he carefully checks for traps. Finding none, he opens it. And a trap goes off.
Saphren, and those behind him are rocked back by the force of the blast as some kind of spell activates!
As the door flies open, Saphren spies the following with his darkvision.
Water drips down along the walls of this damp cavern. The cave itself is cluttered with bits of rubble and debris, much of which seems to be from a strange, blackened form of rock quite different in appearance from the rock that makes up the walls of the cavern. The ceiling slopes up to the north, from a height of about ten feet near the southern exit to a height of twenty-five feet to the north.
Within the room are two male drow elves who appear very ready for the group, and as Saphren steps in they attack! The drow rush into position, one moving to block entry into the room while the other draws a hand crossbow.
(+2 in surprise)
Zoso
Saphren
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Red Drow
Grey Drow
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Trig
Magnus
Lyr
Reva
The rogue doges the explosion like it never happened and charges the drow with the crossbow.
"Bah. I heff been in the mines since before you were born, leetle miss." Magnus scowls at the implication that a bit of caving might be uncomfortable. He tightens his broad belt, belly and mail bulging somewhat, and unslings his large dome-like shield and various weaponry, and shuffles his way through the tunnel.
Magnus raises his shield to avoid the blast, peering in the smokey gloom to find his foe.
Saphren rushes in, his falchion carving down brutally into the neck of one of the drow guards. He screams as he is cut, but he somehow, barely manages to keep his feet.
Zoso avoids most of the blast and rushes past a drow, who manages to catch him with a rapier. Zoso then fires two arrows, which miss the swift drow.
The two drow retaliate, eschewing their ranged weapons to engage with Saphren and Zoso. However, their attacks are clumsy and easily parried.
Trig
Magnus (4 dmg)
Lyr
Reva
--Round Two--
Zoso (4 dmg)
Saphren
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Red Drow (21 dmg)
Grey Drow
Unexpectedly faced with his lifelong tormentors, Lyr froze. He nearly dropped his bow as his mind struggled to maintain it's composure. Then his hesitation became a fiery self-loathing that switched to cold, hate-filled fury at the dark elves.
He raised his bow, the hawk emblem on the hand guard flaring as he drew back, not with an arrow, but with a shaft of light. He fired at one of the Drow, with a whispered word.
"Die."
Magnus lumbers his way into the room, his hammer blow too slow to strike the lithe elves.
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Zoso turns his attention to the blasphemous creature that attacked him. 'Disgusting menace..' enters his mind as he first shifts out of its reach, then launches another volley.
He grimaces as yet another arrow misses, 'I must inspect my bow once we're through with this filth..' he contemplates as he readies himself for more battle.
Trig causes the rocky floor under one of their foes to suddenly rock and tremble under his feet.
Saphren 5' steps and tisks at the drow before bringing his weapon into play again. Feeling a little bewildered? he asks.
The red-clad drow quickly brings up his arm, crying out in pain despite resisting Lyr's spell. Magnus clanks in, sweeping out his weapon but the nimble drow dodges.
Now with his feet planted, Lyr misfires an arrow, tries again, and this time scores a hit! The drow then flies up into the air as the ground shakes beneath him, crashing down onto his back where he looks up at Magnus.
Saphren tries to follow up his first attack with another, brutal strike. This time, barely missing. Reva swears as she stares into the cave, and quickly casts a light spell before rushing in so that she can see.
Wincing as the light spell comes in, the drow battling Saphren steps back, and quickly chants, plunging the area into darkness. The other drow swears, trying to leap to his feet, drawing an attack from Magnus. The drow swipes at Magnus, who easily parries.
Trig
Magnus (4 dmg)
Lyr
Reva
--Round Three--
Zoso (4 dmg)
Saphren
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Red Drow (21 dmg)
Grey Drow (6 dmg) (prone)