Haroon shakes his head at Mordan's action, and then lifts the corpse's heavy legs onto his right shoulder, sharing the load to help speed travel along.
Ginger looks at the scene happening around her, she let's out and stands herself. She goes to follow Sam and gently touches the young person on the crock of her elbow. "Sam would mind if I help guide ya out of the darkness, I can see in it" Ginger speaks in a soft tone "we have all been through a lot and if you need anything I'm here to help and protect to the best of my abilities. I tried really hard to save him."
"Sure," Oliver say breathing a little easier as he recognises Valtyra's voice in the darkness. Once again standing without vision Oliver finds himself searching for something to guild him in the limbo. The voices arguing give him a sense of direction and he slowly starts moving towards them. As Sam ends her words Olivers coldly says: "That is enough. Everyone did what was possible. People did when monsters attack, it is kill or be killed." Still trying to find some light Oliver continues: "Greylocke you should carry him, he should be burried here. His corpse will only slow us down and it might impair your ability to fight."
Sam can't head too far away because of the darkness, waiting on the others and drawing their pistol. No one else was going to die in these tunnels if they could help it. The ex-squire would swear to that. "He wasn't even armed," She said bitterly. "He was a non-combatant and we failed to protect him. Not again. No one else will die because I couldn't do anything..."
Reaching the far end and exiting the effects of the darkness the glow of a fie reflects off of the walls of the tunnel ahead...
Sam looks especially cautious of the presence of a fire - it seems that someone else was down here aside from the monsters. The gunslinger slinks forward slowly, trying to keep out of sight while also seeing who might have set the fire - a survivor from above? One of the elf's supposed molemen? Or a demon?
A small campfire and a well-used bedroll, along with a few utensils and tools, sits near another cave opening in the far wall of this cavern.
A dwarf sits be the fire, his knees pulled to his chest slowly rocking back and forth mumbling something to himself. He seems unaware of anyone approaching.
As the darkness clears from their place of defeat Oliver looks at the monster that nearly ended Haroons life.
The flickering of the flames and Sam's careful approach alerts Oliver, who stops and tries to draw his sword as silently as possible. He waits for the scene to unfold.
Sam has the drop on them, it seems. Whether they were friend or foe, the gunslinger couldn't be sure. So they took an example to heart from a man recently dead.
Keeping a steady bead on the dwarf with the pistol, Sam steps out of hiding. "Keep those hands where I can see them. Move and you'll get shot in the gut for your troubles." She says, ready to fire should the dwarf make any threatening motions.
Ginger follows behind Sam and peeks around the young lad and looks at the other dwarf. "Oh it is good to see another of my kin." She moves around Sam while speaking low for Sam only "put that weapon away its not good to spook a dwarf." Then she speaks louder for the dwarf to hear "Are you trapped down here like us or do you know your way around? For we are lost," Ginger puts her axe away and shows the male dwarf she is no threat.
Haroon stays back with Mordan and Hargus' earthly remains, and uses the opportunity while the others are approaching the dwarf to check for any loose items the recently deceased was carrying that might be shed to lighten the load.
Seeing as Ginger has spoken Oliver moves into the light with his sword drawn in a non threatning posture awaiting a response from either his companions or the dwarf.
Valtyra walks to just outside the entrance to this portion of the cave and watches to see how the dwarf they have found will react to Ginger. She also listens to the others that are dealing with Hargus' remains.
As Sam reveals her self with weapon drawn and ready, the dwarf gives a start. He recovers quickly however and let out a deep bellowing laugh.
"Careful little boy, wouldn't want to hurt yourself..." The dwarf slowly climbs to his feet,a dagger clearly in his hand. He looks past Sam as Ginger comes into sight.
"You wont be fooling me, I know why your 'er. I'm not going back. You cant make me!" His voice nearly goes up an octave as the final words come out more as a shriek. He desperately clutches the dagger to his chest, looking more afraid that you might take it away from him than anything else.
"Drop the dagger," Sam warns him, still pointing the pistol at the dwarf. "I'm not going to warn you again. Drop it and put your hands on your head."
Sam doesn't look at Ginger, not trusting the rather manic man to attack given the opportunity. "Ginger, no offense, but I am not taking any chances here. If you think you can convince him to disarm himself, be my guest. Until then, he gets a loaded barrel to his face."
Ginger lets a soft sigh at Sam's remark, she then says in a gentle calm voice to the skittish dwarf "you don't need to drop your dagger sir. We are not here to make you go anywhere, we're not here to take anything away from you. We are lost, I think a day ago we all fell through a crack that was made by a major demon and are trying now to find a way back to the surface. My companions and I are not the enemy, we are the good guys. I pledge to protect and watch over the innocent." While she is talking Ginger keeps her distance from the dwarf not wanting to spook him into attacking. "My name is Ginger, may I ask of your name?"
Millorn give a wicked grin "I'll not be dropping anything but you!" He slashes the blade violently downward as his voice begins as raspy chant in some unknown tongue.
Ginger takes this moment to draw out her hammer and position herself in front of Sam. "I don't like being attacked by my kin like this. Now don't come near us you understand. Come anywhere near me or my companions you'll get a nasty bump on yer head ye bloody beardless dwarf."
Oh no you don't Oliver thinks the chantry provoking flashbacks to that awful night. Gingers words are to little and to late for Oliver's taste. Knowing how to deal with this he charges the dwarf.
As the chanting begins, Haroon looks up alarmed at the dwarf's obvious ill intent.
Oh no, what's he trying to do?
"Να μην είστε φοβισμένος από εμένα, τους φίλους μου," Valtyra takes a breath before she cast alter self upon her form. She quickly transforms into a demonic looking humanoid. Bright red skin glowing in the firelight, sharp teeth bared at the male dwarf.
"Από δυνάμεις της Iodemae μου, τελειώνοντας σας νάνος!" Valtyra then moves east along the bottom of the cavern hoping to get into a position to prevent the dwarf from running should things turn for him.
Ginger
Ginger tries unsuccessfully to diffuse the situation.
Haroon
Haroon hears something taking a turn for the violent ahead of him in the cavern.
Valtyra:
Valtyra sheds her skin, her appearance clearly demonic and the sound of abyssal pouring form her mouth is a frightening sight. She rushes off to the eastern part of the cavern.
Greylocke:
Greylocke seems to be lost in thought and burdened by more than the weight on the corpse he carries.
Oliver
Outraged by the clearly hostile intentions of the dwarf Oliver rushes forward, cutting the dwarf deeply with his longsward.
Millorn:
Millorn give a cry of surprise as Oliver manages to quickly close the distance between them. He jumps back and focuses his magic upon the man that injured him. Two bright balls of force shoot from the Dwarf’s hand and strike Oliver in the chest.
Sam go ahead a finish up round 1 for us. Everyone can also post a round 2 action.
The gunslinger shoulders her way past Ginger, the pistol erupting in their hand. "You should have dropped the knife!" They holler, reloading.
Ginger looks between the dwarf attacking Oliver and the demon that was once Valtyra trying to decide who to attack. "We were not here to attack you beardless dwarf," she growls having making up her mind. Ginger takes a five foot step to the right and charges toward the male dwarf and swings her hammer across aiming for the dwarf's head.
Haroon drops Hargus' legs and edges into the next chamber, skirting the wall opposite Valtyra.
Valtyra is still herself! he calls out.
Round 2
Hearing the strange voice again Olivers turns his head seeing the demon to his right. Oh no not another one, his mind screams and shutters before turning back to clear the threats one at a time. Concentrating on controlling his fear and ending the life before him he barely registers Haroon's words.
Valtyra moves up another twenty feet so that she is within range to stab at the mad little dwarf. "Πεθαίνουν σας φάουλ λίγο νάνος!"
Sam
Sam fires her pistol at the dwarf, the bullet ricocheting off the stone past him. As the echo of the shot fills the chamber the dwarf let out another loud shout!
Ginger
Ginger curses to herself that her path to the Dwarf is blocked by Sam, and pushes her way past the young squire. She moves quickly though getting within reach of the crazed dwarf.
Haroon
Moves into the chamber putting the fire between himself and the deranged wizard.
Valtyra:
The red-skinned she demon moves swiftly up from the south, her spear lashes out at the Dwarf missing him.
Greylocke
Greylocke takes the full weight of the corpse as Haroon rushes into the next chamber.
Oliver
Oliver’s focuses strikes cut into the dwarf again.
Millorn:
”Damn human filth!” He shouts as he takes another step back towards the tunnel. He focuses his magic but is too concerned with the demon's spear to complete his spell. He reveals a vial in his hand with his motions however.
Clearing his head with a violent shake, and a muffled grunt as the body is entrusted to him, Mordan gently lays the body on the ground. He folds the body's hands over its chest in a resting position, ensuring the body is treated hastily, but with respect. He then hands the massive shield to the wounded woman. "Here, hide behind this if needed." He then turns to head into the conflict in the cavern, drawing his sword.
Sam scowls and moves to aim between Ginger and Valtrya, firing once more at the damnable dwarf.
Ginger curses again and takes a five foot step forward and to her right before she swings again at this cursed male dwarf. "I'm sick of running into untrustworthy folk like you, you are of my race for Torag's sake." Her attention is so focused on the male dwarf that she ignores the red she demon having a hard time believing what Haroon said about it being Valtrya.
But because of the red she demon she loses complete concentration on her swing and misses.
The crack of Sam's pistol is deafening, the bullet tears into the dwarf's head leaving a mess where his face was only a split second before. His body goes limp and collapses to the ground amid a slowly expanding pool of blood.
Treasure
On the dwarf and among his campsite you find: Two potions and two scrolls.
Potions
potion of cure light wounds
potion of invisibility
Scrolls
scroll of shocking grasp
scroll of resist energy
Other Gear dagger, light crossbow ,10 bolts, cloak of resistance +1 of a ratty bedroll, a small pack filled with dried meat, preserved fruit, and some moldy cheese (6 days of rations), and a chipped 6-inch-tall marble statuette of a humanoid throwing a spear. The statuette is worth 75gp.
Millorn's spellbook is a ratty old and stained thing, singed on one corner and many of the pages near the end contain nothing but inkblots and smudges, however within the other pages you find the following spells:
acid splash, blur, color spray, detect magic, detect secret doors, fog cloud, ghost sound, grease, invisibility, levitate, mage armor, magic missile, read magic, resist energy, shocking grasp, and silent image.
This book is worth 160gp.
Coins 8pp, 7gp
On Horgus: cloak of resistance +1, belt pouch, signet ring, noble's outfit(what he's wearing), waterskin (full of fine wine), jade brooch (120 gp), two pearls (100gp each), silk handkerchief (10 gp), silver amulet (75 gp), and 17 pp.
"...He shouldn't have attacked us," Sam mutters, clearing out their pistol's barrel of debris before reloading it. Then the gunslinger faces the demonic spear-wielder, looking at her with a cool and collected expression.
"Before we continue one step further, I want to know why in the nine hells you're a demon. Best answer honestly, because I'm out of any good humor today."
Sam seems deadly serious about this, though the pistol isn't aimed at her but clutched tightly like a lifeline.
She's no demon, and neither am I, though my blood carries a taint as some would call it.
Haroon shrugs out of his heavy cloak, revealing stunted bat wings and a long, sinuous tail the same ruddy color as his flesh.
The outer realms have touched us both. Valtyra has been touched by the heavens, and I by the depths of hell, but we are no different than you or anyone else. Haroon shakes his head sadly. As for why she took that form, well, that is hers to share, but for me, the time for secrets is done. If we're to survive these caverns, me must know and trust each other. I apologize for my deception to you all.
Valtyra walks over to Haroon and claps him on the shoulder.
"Well told my friend, he is right. We have both been touched by the outer realms of our worlds. As far as speaking Abyssal when we are in combat, its not something I can help. I was cursed by Iomedae with it but she is allowing me to redeem myself to her. She has given me the power to alter my form to help redeem those who would see me as they are. If you have other questions, I will answer what I can.
Valtyra then waves her hand over herself as she sheds the demon skin to look once more as an angel.
The elder paladin shrugs his shoulders. "The crusades call many, those tainted by both the heavens and by the hells can answer as they choose. The measure of a person is not in the blood they have, but the actions they wield." Mordan returns the Hargus' body, and making a simple prayer gesture once again shoulders the body. "We would best remember in these trying times that enemies are varied, but friends are the rock upon which we can place our backs." He nods at Haroon and Valtyra before slowly continuing towards the caverns exit tunnel, motioning for the wounded behind to follow.
"Oh for-" Sam looks absolutely baffled by how the others are so nonchalant about not only Valtrya's demonic form, but Haroon's as well. The gunslinger grinds their teeth, stuffing the pistol back in its holster before muttering a string of expletives.
"All right, you know what? Fine. Whatever. You're cursed by a god, he's got demon blood. Neither of you have tried to stab me the back so far, so benefit of the doubt to you." They turn to the rest of the party now, eye twitching in annoyance. "Does anyone else have anything they'd like to declare that might come up in the future? Some secret magical power? Extra limbs? Not human? Actually a different gender than you appear? Because I'd like to not be surprised and nerve-wracked anymore than I already am."
Well Sam, we'd hate for you to be surprised or nervous, especially after what you did to that poor fellow's head, Haroon responds with a nervous grin.
Now, if you all will allow me a few moments, this poor mad dwarf left a few items that may prove quite useful.
Haroon busies himself studying the potions and scrolls, casting detect magic and read magic to assist in his study of the items.
Ah, excellent! A healing potion! Haroon hands it to Oliver. You're looking a bit worse for wear, friend. This other one, good heavens! A potion of invisibility! Whoever drinks this will become invisible for a full three minutes, or until they attack something else, whatever comes first.
After a moment perusing the scrolls, Haroon tucks them into his belt. These might come in handy as well. However, when he finds the dwarf's spellbook, he inhales sharply. A grimoire! Excellent, I shall expand my own knowledge, and hopefully put some of these to good use for the rest of you. He carefully places the book into his own pack, near a much tidier volume of his own.
That done, he holds up the dwarf's cloak. Certainly magical...
Abjuration... a cloak of resistance! And I've seen another just like it. It's actually what we've got wrapped around poor Hargus.
He looks up expectantly at the others. So, who wants them?
Two scorch marks on the chest of his scale mail and a few droplets of blood in his face is what Oliver is left with after the fight. He stands trying to catch his breath, coughing a little blood. He gaze is burning with hatred and he tightly clenches his sword, when first Valtyra shifts her appearance and then Haroon reveals his wings and tail. "Demon filth, he spits as staggers backwards towards the wall. "How can you a man of the cloth stand idly by?" he asks throwing an accusation at Greylocke.
Oliver looks at the approaching tiefling as if the man is offering him poison. "You stay back," he orders through clenches teeth.
Haroon holds up his hands, attempting to placate Oliver. I'm no demon, I swear it! But I'll not press you sir. Haroon backs away, leaving Oliver plenty of space.
"I'll take the cloak if nobody objects," Sam grumbles, looking around at the others. "Not that it did him much good."
The gunslinger glances at Oliver, sighing a bit, before looking at their injured followers. "I don't suppose that either of you have anything against tieflings or shapeshifting beauties," They ask.
Mordan calmly looks at Oliver, and shrugs his shoulders. "Children can never choose their parents, and some parents cannot choose their children. Offspring from demonic attacks are not rare, in this place. Yet they are still blessed by the Gods with breath, and the ability to decide what portion of their heritage they wish to follow. Sometimes their childhood can push them in one direction or the other, but they all have the ability to choose. Iomedae wants us to not judge based on parentage or heritage, but on what choices they make. Your hatred because of skin, or horns, or cloven feet, will only ensure they evolve to match that hate. Understand and offer compassion and tolerance, and you can break the hold their abyssal progenitors may have and instead offer the world another sword to help.” He gives a tired smile, once again showing the difference in years.
Ginger kind of closes in on herself, her facial expression goes blank and almost cold after all that has happen in the last few minutes. She moves to where they plan on exiting from next and waits. Not saying a word or making eye contact with most of the people. She has put away her hammer for her trusty shard axe.
A few will assume that she has gone back into memories of her past.
A steeply inclined tunnel leads upward to the north, its walls lined with numerous nooks, hand holds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven into the walls long ago. After climbing for 60 feet, the shaft levels out and heads northwest for approximately 2,500 feet (a 30-minute walk for your injured.)
The tunnel opens into a large cavern, about seventy feet across. Cylindrical rock formations along the walls arch up to make a dome like chamber, but the walls and floor are riddled with cracks. At the center of the cave, a stone tower that may once have reached the fifty-foot-high ceiling has collapsed onto its side.
Two people seem to be focusing on slowly and carefully digging through the tower's rubble, wary of causing accidental collapse. Now and then they call out, and a muffled voice in the rubble answers back.