Sam was starting to wonder if they were all actually dead and this whole cavern was some kind of test of virtue or something like that. Right after they dealt with a madman, they came across two people in distress. It seemed like someone was trapped in the rubble. The gunslinger debated for about half a second before biting back a curse and rushing over to the collapsed tower.
"The hell are the rest of you doing? We got to help them!" They say, their new cloak fluttering behind them as they rush forward to help lift the rubble. "Okay, I'm not exactly suited for manual labor but I'll help if I can."
Mordan once again places the body of the fallen upon the ground, posing it gracefully and respectfully before following Sam. Albeit, at a bit more of a reserved and cautious pace.
Haroon releases Hargus' legs, working in concert with Mordan and adjusting his new cape, hangs back.
Uh, we've yet to meet anyone friendly down here except for each other...
The two mongrels drop into defensive stances at your aprach but are not aggressive. One of the mongrels is a hunchbacked woman named Dyra, her face so warped by tumors that she's incapable of intelligible speech. The second is a man named Lann, and he does the talking for the two.
Lann is a tall, thin creature with a face that melds the features of an attractive elven man, a goat, and a lizardfolk. His oversized fingers end in dull, spadelike talons.
He greets you in a raspy voice, speaking in strangely accented but quite eloquent Common, "If your intentions are ill, we ask you to move on and leave us in peace. If they are good, then perhaps you can help. As you can see, misfortune has befallen us."
"It's about damn time we found somebody who's not going to attack us ouright," Sam states, looking at the rubble. "You've got a friend trapped in there? We'll help out. Right?" They ask the others, before moving to examine the rubble and see if they can't figure out a smart way to open it up - the gunslinger wasn't exactly muscular.
When given the room Oliver edges around the walls to the side of the paladin and his charges keeping some distance between Haroon, Valtyra and himself. He looks displeased with his companions. "You don't know demons," he mumbles mostly to himself.
When they reach the cavern Oliver finds himself in the back, slowed by his wounds. He quickly draws a weapon as Sam bursts forth. He keeps it drawn, wary of what might happen while the Sam and Greylocke moves to help. He can't help but nodding at Haroon's words.
Ginger stays in front of the group like usual so when rushes forward to talk to the two unknown people, she follows. Her axe is still in her hand but Ginger keeps it pointed down. She eyes the creature that speaks letting Sam do the looking. "How many are trapped? she askes.
The man, Lann, seem surprised to find such helpful people down here in the caves. "Just one is trapped, Crel has been down there for nearly a full day. I don't know how much longer he can last."
The mongrels have cleared away enough rubble away that only one large rock remains wedged in place above the small space in which Crel is trapped.
Sam felt particularly useless in this instance, looking at the party before pointing at Valtrya and Oliver. "One of you guys, you take the lead. Don't strain yourself, take it slow and steady. Everybody else, we'll assist, all right?" They ask the others. "I'm about as strong as a halfling, so I'll just be ready to pull the guy out," They tell them, pulling out some rope and looking for a gap to slip it through.
"Hey! If you can hear me, tie yourself off with this!" Sam says.
Valtyra moves over and climbs up to help move the rock. Bracing her legs effectively in a position, she places her hands in firm hand holds.
"Sam, be prepared to pull that person out as soon as there is enough space."
Ginger moves next to Valtyra though not to close and helps push with all her might and strength.
But apparently she is just a bit uncomfortable right now to give it her all or she could just be tired from their already long day. Either way Ginger is not going to be helping..
A little impressed with the three women's determination Oliver keeps his distance not trusting the mongrels. He looks to Haroon and asks: "Have you seen anything suspicious?"
"Hey, jackass!" Sam barks at Oliver, glaring at the man. "If you're comfortable enough now to talk to the guy you just shunned for having wings and a tail, then you're comfortable enough to help us moving this frigging rock! Move it! Same to you, old man! What, are you going to let a kid and two women do all the heavy lifting?"
Haroon keeps his distance from the mongrelmen and thinks to himself, No, these men are not like me, though at least they have each other.
Not yet, Oliver Haroon replies, relieved and a bit surprised that the man has chosen to speak to him. But if I do, I will come to your aid, believe that.[b]
However, when Sam engages in another outburst, Haroon's lips compress in a tight line. [b]You need to learn to watch your mouth, squire. Haroon somehow manages to invest the title with dripping scorn. Try using your brain for once, or at least asking aid from those who are accustomed to doing so.
Haroon makes his way across the cave to the crumbled tower and examines the boulder.
Haroon's words doesn't change the worried expression on his face. "We better be prepared," he says. Looking up at Sam's outburst, he forces a smile and comments: "Who is going to look after your safety while you are lifting."
Valtyra strains at the boulder, with Ginger and the two Mongrel Men moving in to help.
As the four strain at the boulders it shifts only to settle securely on the rubble. Gasping for breath after their failed attempt the two mongrels seem dejected.
Sam glares at Oliver as they fail to lift the boulder. "We need need every able bodied person to help lift this damn thing. There's room enough for two more people to lift - so get over here and help lift, instead of standing around looking scared!"
At the ten minute mark, if neither Oliler or the old man come to help out, Sam will mutter some choice curses as they help lift the boulder up, giving angry glares to the most unhelpful party members.
Mordan places himself near the boulder, his back to it and his legs bunched up. He strains his body the best he can to help shift the weight and allow the others to rescue the trapped man.
Valtyra gets another firm grip on the rock and lifts with all her might.
Be ready to get out of there as soon as you can.
Haroon shrugs, unable to see any way around the problem except for brute force. Come on Oliver, they seem decent enough.
Haroon stands clear of the group himself. No offense, but I'd probably just get in the way.
Ginger huffs and puffs while she sucks in air from the first time she even bends over trying to get more air in her lungs. "Hold on moment Valtrya I need a breather this big boulder is heavier than I thought." After moment Ginger takes another deep breath before getting back into position and pushing hard again against the rock. One can see the strainious work she is doing by the way the veins in her neck and forward bulge.
Even with the extra help of Greylocke, the stubborn rock remains in place. Dejected Lann seems resigned to try the more dangerous but easier route of trying to dig out under the stone to release their trapped companion.
Sam mutters some choice words about the stubbornness of the boulder, thinking for a bit. The gunslinger also glares again at the very, very unhelpful Oliver. They do get an idea, looking at Valtya and recalling her scale's power.
"Try using the scale to levitate the boulder," Sam suggests to her. "It can't hurt to try at this point. Might even make it light enough to push out of the way."
"They might be, but it could be a ruse or we may be attacked by something else down here. From what I have seen you can never be to careful down here," Oliver answers not lowerings his guard or arms.
Sam! Haroon exclaims, You're a genius! Quickly Valtyra, see if it works!
Ginger does not hear the others as she eyes the rock, if looks could melt then this boulder would be a puddle of stone. "I will not be bested by a [i]boulder[/i ]"she draws the last word in a long ish way. Ginger let's out a roar of frustration and kicks the boulder hard right in the middle
Valtyra quickly focuses on the power the scale and casts levitate on the boulder. She watches as the boulder rises up into the air a pillar of fog under the large boulder hiding the person in the hole now. Be quick about climbing out of there before the spell ends.
Oliver's eyes widen a bit as Valtyra performs her feat aided by the dragon scale. Intrigued he takes the scale he has been intrusted with, at first nothing happens but as he focus more on the dragon and her sacrifice, he fells her again, it is almost as if she wraps her wing around him protecting him from the cold. He stands flabbergasted trying to comprehend this wonder, this artefact.
Mordan quickly scrambles under the boulder to help the trapped person out. "Here Sam, let me help." Occasionally he looks up at the floating boulder, a bit worried should it decide to suddenly play nice with gravity again.
With the powerful aid of the dead dragons magic it becomes a simple task to rescue the trapped mongrel man.
The three embrace and take a moment to check Crel for injuries. Apart from hunger and thirst their friend is fine.
After having some time Lann approaches you. Thanking you all for your kind assistance. "It is a rare thing to meet strangers down here, and rarer still for them to give aid. Please come with us to Neathholm. There Chief Sull can reward you for your service..." He seems to finally notice the state of your attire and the injured you've been escorting. "Perhaps we can help you tend to your wounded there as well."
He looks out to the many tunnels leading beyond this cavern. He gestures at one that collapsed. "That would have been the shortest route to the surface but there are other ways we know of."
Valtyra nods her head at Lann, "We would be glad to except your help and the hospitality. I'm sure the others would agree that our wounded could use some rest and better medical aid."
Valtyra then gathers her long spear from the rocks she had leaned it against, "Please lead on to this Neathholm."
"Yes, please - man, I am just so glad to meet people down here that aren't trying to kill us. Did you know there's was a crazy dwarf a little ways that way?"
Sam pauses as he mentions a short way out, blocked off by the partial collapse - the gunslinger language becomes ever so more colorful, insulting the demon invaders from up above with insinuations about their sexual practices.
Haroon's cheeks gain color at Sam's inventive invective, but he smiles and nods gratefully at Lann's offer. A way back to the surface would be most welcome, and a chance to rest and recuperate even more so. While we travel, perhaps you could tell us of this tower. Why is it here, and how did it collapse, and how Crel came to be trapped? If you don't mind that is.
Haroon reshoulders his burden with Mordan's assistance and tries to keep an eye on Aravashnial, quick to call out aid to the blind elf as best he can.
Putting his scale away Oliver finally sheets his blade and relaxes a bit. He follows the others, pausing by the stone after Sam is done and curshes his misfortune.
Fortunately, the mongrels know of an alternative route through a tunnel leading to the southwest, and lead you in that direction. As you continue they happily answer any questions.
"The tower was built many years ago, it was a guard post to prevent trouble from getting into Neathholm. Yesterday there was a great quake and it collapsed shortly afterwords during the smaller tremors that followed. Crel was nearly out but didn't quite make it."
After winding roughly southwest for 1,875 feet (25 minutes), the tunnel reaches a significant obstacle. Ahead, a wide chasm splits the tunnel floor. The rock dust around the chamber and the groans as the tunnel walls settle indicate that the tunnels split no more than a few days ago.
Crel, Dyra and Lann express dismay when they see the chasm-there's a way onward on the far side of the chasm to the southeast, but they also have begun to worry that the tremors may have destroyed their home.
"Well, this is why we have rope," Sam mutters, getting some out and looking at Valtrya. "Okay, here's what I'm thinking. You use that levitation power to get across, with Hargus' body and whomever else you think you can carry. We tie off the rope on each end and everybody can shimmy across quickly. Nothing to fuss about."
Ginger groans at the mention of shimmy across the big chasm."I don't like being far off the ground, isn't there a bridge or, or a tunnel that leads around or under this. Me and ropes don't mix very well." She then turns to the new group of people with a pleading look in her eyes really hoping for a way around this.
Valtyra's scale is probably the best way, Ginger. Haroon offers with a sympathetic look. Perhaps the magic will last long enough to ferry us across on multiple trips, he adds with a hopeful smile. I'm not overly fond of heights either, but unless Lann, Dyra or Crel know another way...I suppose we could head back to the tower and search the rubble for something to use to span the crack. No guarantees there though.
Ginger nods solemnly "Maybe it does have enough power," she glances over at the big crack again and sighs. "Don't mind me Haron, I'm just being craven over a crack." She lets out a half hearted chuckle and awaits for the others.
Mordan shrugs. "Either magic or the climb is fine by me. Do we have any rope? Did we find any so far in this trek? Rope should make the climb easy minus our burdens. We can always haul the gear up after we've climbed."
Oliver approaches the edge and looks down into the crack trying to asses how a climb might be. "It doable with some robe," he remarks "Alas I don't have any and makes the climb a different story."
"Hey! What am I, invisible?" Sam growls, waving the rope around at people. "And again, we don't have to climb all the way down, you dolts," She tells them with some mild annoyance. "...Oh, for crying out loud," They mutter tossing it to Valtyra, before dragging over the blind elf, the crippled woman, and the dead guy. "You levitate, hold onto everyone who can't make it across, we push you across," She says, laying out the plan "Then you tie off one end of the rope on your side, toss over the other end, we tie it off on this side, everybody shimmies across, and we can keep on moving."
"Now, does anybody not understand the plan, or do I need to draw you a damn picture?" Sam asks.
Ginger steps up next to Sam and gentle thwacks her on the back of the head "young lad how many times do I need to say watch your language. And why does she need to toss the rope over when one of us on this end holds onto the rope while she floats across?"
Valtyra moves to take Hargus's body from the older man. Putting him over her shoulder. "20 minutes will be plenty of time for me to help any one across that needs it." She slowly walks to the edge of the cliff, peering down into its dark depths.
Looking back at Sam, "Theres just one flaw with your plan... Pulling works a lot better than pushing when it comes to ropes."
From the size of that rock earlier, you should be able to ferry us all over in no more than two trips Valtyra, Haroon adds in an attempt to be helpful. Let's get Hargus over first, as well as some of our wounded and guides, the plane-touched man smiles weakly at Lann, Dyra , Crel, Aravashnial and Anevia, with a few of us more able bodied to protect them should there be any nasty surprises. I'll be happy to go with the first group, if that makes the others more comfortable.
The tunnel continues along a mostly southeastern course for about 1,400 feet (just over 18 minutes of walking) before reaching a circular cavern. If the PCs approach, the mongrels warn them that the cave ahead is one they now rarely use, for it has become the den of a particularly dangerous fungal creature he calls a "spore-cougher."
Lann assures you that, with their help, they should be able to defeat the monster and move through its lair-and if they're lucky, the creature's out hunting elsewhere.
Sam glowers at the dwarf for hitting them, but doesn't say anything else at the moment, just grumbling and getting on with getting across. When they do reach the next obstacle - specifically the mentioned spore cougher - Sam decides to take some preventative measures, wrapping their scarf over their mouth and nose to keep from breathing in anything nasty.
"Let's take a look see, then," Sam says, skulking off to find the creature, pistol in hand.