Chief Sull hears carefully to Arrika's tale and soon after, seeing the pain in the girl's face, he interrupted her.
"Of course, of course! I'll provide medical care for you..." The bloated chief gestured and a servant approached, resembling a dwarf with green feathers in place of his beard and the legs of a goat, and they spoke in undercommon for a couple seconds before be bowed and disappeared in a side door.
"Mursel was sent after our priest... so demons finally break into Kenabres... these are indeed dire news and even if Lann is utterly trusted, I wished that he could be wrong this time." The chied sighed and was visibly concerned. "Me and my kind may be outcasts and freaks in the eyes of uplanders like you, but our ancestors helped drive back the demons in the First Crusade... I, no, we, the mongrels, want the demons defeat as much as anyone who lives above! Are you willing to bring this message to the surface? That the mongrels will stand with the uplanders of Kenabres to defend the city?"
As soon as he finished, the 'doctor' entered the room. She was the Seer Opoli, a small woman resembling a halfling, a frog, and a raccoon. "Oh... what a mess, what a mess... what happened to you?" The seer asked but it seemed that she was far less interested in the answer and was just poking and examining Arrika. "You are sick, girl, Filth Fever and a especially potent one... come, come, I'll take care of you... you two too! Come I'm gooood at this, come, come." She then leaves the room, dragging Arrika along by her hand.
"Seer Opoli will take some time to heal your friends... we should eat and then sleep... tomorrow they will be fine and you can return to your mission but enough talk for now..." The chief orders and you are escorted to a side room where he orders food to be brought to you. The 'dinner' is mostly consistent of a strange white fish, probably a blind one from the lake, a big assortment of mushrooms, some meet (from some underground creature probably) and other 'stuff' completely unidentified. "Eat!" The chief gestures and begins his 'feast'.
After the dinner, you are escorted to another room for you to sleep, where you find comfortable beds and blankets.
Seer Opoli brings you to her house and as soon as you enter you wonder as how anyone can live is such a cramped place. A plethora of fungi, bugs, animal parts and even plants are hung along the walls and ceilings, all of them for 'medicinal use'. She puts you in a comfortable bad, brings you a foul smelling soup (with the taste even worse than the smell indicated) and you soon feel sleepy. Before you pass out you can see the mongrel woman examining Aravashnial's eyes, even if the elf is not liking his situation.
On the following morning, even if you still feel a bit weak, you are far better than the previous night. Seer Opoli is nowhere to be seen but a servant, Mursel, comes to escort you three back to the chief. Anevie is still limping and Aravashnial is still blind but at least their wounds less severe.
________________________________
On the following morning, after the three have rejoined you (and also after the 'breakfast' that consisted by the rest of the previous night meal), the chief speaks with you again.
"I'm sorry that Seer Opoli wasn't able to help your other friends... their injuries are more severe than she can take care in a single night... So have you though about my request? Will you bring my message to the surface?" The chief waits expectantly.
Elriel nods, intent on keeping the mongrels happy. "I'm sure your help will be well received. A city overrun by demons can't be too choosy on its allies. As long as you can raise a sword or assist the war efort, I see no reason why they should turn you away."
He looks at the others for confirmation, "I, for on, will let the people of Kenabres know that there is help from below."
He quickly turns back to more practical manners, "Now about that... do you know a way back up to Kenabres so we can carry our message?"
When the old woman had approached the night before, Arrika had done her best to avoid nervously shying away from her. The old mongrelwoman was certainly much different in manner from the Iomedaean healers she'd seen when she'd gotten seriously ill in Kenabres, and Arrika couldn't quite forget the strangeness of the hand that grabbed her own and pulled her through the underground city.
But as Opoli began to fuss over her in the tiny hut, Arrika quickly noticed more differences between the strange old seer woman and the healers she'd experienced before. For none of those healers had ever been quite so attentive, so warm to the orphaned Kellid girl. They had treated her, certainly, but it was with the cool detachment that most of the crusaders had for a "heathen" child. A quick spell, a crystal bottle with an antiseptic-tasting alchemical concoction, and they were on to the next task with naught but a few words.
Opoli, though, chattered constantly in a pleasant croak as she puttered around the house's single room, chopping fungi and plants into a large kettle and fetching blankets. The soup may have tasted like sweaty socks and rancid butter, but it warmed her in a way she couldn't describe, and instantly the chill in her bones began to dissipate. And as she curled up under the rough blanket, fading quickly into what she already knew would be a deep, deep sleep, she was reminded suddenly of home...not the Inheritor's Wings, with its hard cot and smooth, thin linen covers, but of sleeping under furs beneath a haze of smoke drifting out the roof's vent, curling for warmth against her mother in the comfortable darkness. Her real home.
'S okay, Kelu, she mumbled to her companion, head on his paws keeping watch outside the door. 'S safe here.
----------
The next morning, she awoke feeling better than she'd have even thought possible the evening before. Though her arms were still a little heavy, most of the weakness was gone, as was the painful chill. With a lightness that can only follow true pleasantness, she knelt just outside Opoli's door, bowed her head, and began her prayers. Kelumarion, god among us, long ago you swore to care for the children of the Neverrun...
When her eyes opened again, her friend once more stood before her, and she threw her arms around his neck with a grin. Let's go, she cooed after a few moments, rising up and dusting off the knees of her white shift as the Chief's messenger arrived.
----------
I'll tell the church as soon as we get back, Arrika answers enthusiastically to the Chief's question. Sometimes they're a bit...choosy on who they want to take aid from, but with how bad things were looking when we fell, I'm sure they'll need all the help they can get...Anevia? she added, turning to the injured woman. Do you think Irabeth can talk the soldiers into working with them? She's...always seemed so nice, not like the others... Suddenly, she claps her hand over her mouth and looks to Bertholdt and Sabrina, blushing furiously with embarrassment. I'm sorry...I didn't mean...
Anevia nods and smiles, both at the news that they are getting help from the mongrels and about the appreciation of Arrika towards her wife. "I'm sure she will do whatever she can to secure the help of the mongrels." Her face then shows, once more, signs of concern.
Chief Sull nods sagely as you agree. "Great! Now, about the way back up... that is more tricky..." He lifts one of his bloated fingers. "...the nearest route to the surface lies to the south but this exit is guarded by traitors who do not have the same opinions as we from Neathholm. In fact, the traitors, have consorted for some time with cultists! I have ignored them, but that time has passed." He changes his position on his chair before continuing. "If you agree to destroy the traitors as you make your way back to the surface to bring the word of our pledge to aid the crusade, I promise to help you!" From the back of his chair, he retrieves a sack, with its contents tinkling against each other. "These are potions that I asked Seer Opoli... they will make it safer for you..." Chief Sull looks at you, waiting for your answer.
Elriel just paused, "Wait, wait, wait. What do you mean destroy the traitors? Are we somehow becoming involved in your affairs?"
He cocked his head, "Listen as much as we want to help, we need to get up to the surface. Besides, we know nothing of these traitors, their numbers, their weaknesses..."
He caught himself before he convinced himself that he should help, "But the most important thing is why should we get involved here? Is there not a way out that doesn't involve fighting your traitors?"
Chief Sull nods at your arguments. "You make important points, elf, but you are not seeing things in a bigger picture..." He makes an ample gesture before lifting a bloated finger. "First, the destruction of the traitors is linked to our willingness to help the uplanders. We have many tribes but if we send our warriors to the surface, who would protect our children and sick? We have no enemies down here, except for the traitors and they would, for sure, take advantage of this. See? It is not safe for us to help, even if we do want to, if the traitors are not dealt with."
He then lifts another finger. "Second, the route through the traitors is she fastest and 'safest' route... it could take you to the surface in less than one day! If I understood correctly, perhaps the people of Kenabres doesn't have a couple days for you to take another route."
He lifts his third finger. "And, lastly, the traitors are scheming with cultists from the Horned Lords from the Abyss... they are not too strong right now, I think, but that could change quickly it they are left unchecked... If not stopped, the people of Kenabres could be fighting in two fronts, against the demons in the surface and the cultists and corrupted mongrels from underground..."
The chief sighs. "I know this is not your problem but... there is not much of them, I imagine a dozen at the most... we had not dealt with them before because, in the end, they are still kin and we had hoped that they would come to their senses and return to us but that time is over."
Elriel scoffs, "So the best way to get up to Kenabres is to defeat these traitors. And there are about a dozen of them? Does this include the cultists?"
He looked at his companions and then back at the chief, "If we agree to do this, what help can you provide? Do you know the layout of their camp, fort, or wherever they are?"
Now turning the others, "Well, speak up. What do you all wanna do?"
|
Sabrina fell silent as the Chief made his offer, He seemed to direct his reply to Arrika, perhaps her name no longer carried any weight, of course considering the stories who would blame them.
She enjoyed her meal and rested, accepting the hospitality.
Sabrina awoke, and changed the dressings on her wounds from the previous day. she was feeling much better than before.
she gave her sword some practice swings to see if she still was experiencing the pain like before.
Eventually the meeting with the chief came. the deal with the traitors came up, Sabrina knew all to well about traitors in one's midst. the look on her face was a troubled one.
she glared at Elriel's comment. finally she spoke, I understand the issue with traitors. you have my word that they will be dealt with. Sabrina's look has changed to determination. And regardless of what happens when we bear your message to the surface. I will welcome you to battle under my banner if you wish.
Besides, it doesn't sound as if there's much of a choice...if that's the fastest way up, we've got to take it, even if it means fighting through. Arrika doesn't sound particular excited about the prospect...though from the way Kelumarion's paws are flexing, his claws digging small scratches into the ground in front of him, he's more than ready to fight. ::Traitors whoring themselves to the demon lords...it shall be a worthy fight,:: he intones in the back of Arrika's mind, but all she can do is reach over and pat the back of his neck worriedly.
"Unfortunately we have no knowledge about the cultist's numbers..." The Chief answers Elriel's first question. "... I imagine they should have, perhaps, the same number. More than that, what need would the have for The Traitors?" He then thinks for a while and then shakes his head. "Aside from these potions that Seer Opoli gave me, we have little to offer in terms of help... See, even if this was the nearest route to the surface, we, mongrels, do not go there because we are generally not welcomed among your people so we used to trade through The Traitors."
At Sabrina's words, the chief smiles and bows to her. "We would be honored to fight alongside you, my dear. The full support of a holy warrior can only boost our cause!" He bows once more.
To Bertholdt's words, Chief Sull shakes his head vigorously. "As I said, Seer Opoli wasn't able to heal them... she said something about not knowing the proper incantation... regeneration I think is the correct word she used..."
"You are indeed right, Chief." Aravashnial interrupts the mongrel. "Even if I'm not a healer or a priest myself, my broad study of the arcane thought me a couple things about magic, well more than a couple... simple cuts, a perforation, muscle damage is easy enough for the simplest healing magic of the divine but more intricate damage, like a fractured bone, in the case of Anevia, or the fully reconstruction of my eyes, are only achieved by powerful magic..."
Chief nods in agreement, more because it made sense and less because he knew something about magic. "... about the warriors, I need them to seek the other mongrel tribes and bring them hear, so we can march to Kenabres... another thing is that I think they would only burden you... on the underground where there is little room for maneuvers, a small group with determination, us just as powerful as a small army... I could spare Lann, though... Yes, it would be wise... this way he can bring us the message back!" He gestures to Morsel to bring Lann here.
He then, once more, extends the bag of potions to you.
Arrika takes the bag of potions with a small smile and begins to look them over one by one, hoping to recognize at least some of them. The seer's care had been excellent the night before...she just hopes some of them taste better than that soup did. Anevia? Aravashnial? she asks softly, glancing at a bottle full of a thick brownish liquid. Will you be ok staying here while we fight through? We can come back for you i-when we win...or would you rather come with us? I mean, I know you guys can still do a lot, I just don't want you to get hurt more...
The lioness hunts alone, yet always brrrings down herrr prrrey, Kelumarion purrs, a hint of excitement in his voice. We will catch the trrraitors by surrrprrise, send them to theirrr crrruel gods beforrre they know what has happened. We fight forrr the cause of rrright - we will trrriumph. Still testing his claws on the floor, he crouches slightly, a giant kitten ready to pounce on a string of yarn.
Elriel clenched his fists involuntarily, "OK then. I guess we fight our way out."
He took hold of the bag that the chief offered, "Thank you. What types of potions are here? Something to heal up I hope?"
He added, "Lann is very welcome to join us. I assume he knows where we are going. Is there anything that you can tell us about where these traitors live? How long is it to get there?"
The half-elf then made sure that his weapons were in good shape and readjusted his new armor as he looked at his companions, "Ready?"
EDIT: Arrika ninjaed me with the potions. Use her actions. :)
On each potion, prepared in an assortment of different crude vials, there is a label written in an unknown language, probably undercommon. Under each label there is now a fresher writing, identifying them as six potions of cure light wounds and three potions of lesser restoration.
"I'd prefer to come along with you, for my spells could be the difference between a failure and a success!" Aravashnial declares in a somehow presumptuous way. Anevia nods to him and also express her desire to keep with you. "I also would like to come... I long to see my wife in the closest opportunity."
The chief frowns a bit at Anevia's mentions of a 'wife'. Perhaps the mongrels are not used to same-sex relationships. "The Traitors lair is about half an hour southeast... and Lann of course knows the way..." He looks at Anevia's leg and then corrects himself. "Perhaps you'll take a bit longer but it is not really far from here."
|
|
Ready to move out Sabrina offers to take the lead with Lann. She has a look of appreciation at all that join in this endeavor.
We will do our best to end this traitor menace before it becomes unmanageable. I will not let such a thing happen again.
Sabrina takes point with Lann guiding them. her darkvision will allow any needed light sources to remain toward the middle or back of the group.
Elriel shrugs to the blind and the cripple, "Suit yourselves then. We've done good so far but we weren't actively fighting, just surviving."
He took one of the healing potions, "Alright then, Lann. Lead the way..."
Arrika and Kelumarion join in with the others as they set off toward the mongrelman traitors' hideout, one hand resting nervously on Kelumarion's back with the other is thrown over Anevia's shoulder as she helps the injured woman along. Don't worry, she says to Anevia and Aravashnial as they make their way along, with a confidence she doesn't quite feel. We'll make it back - you'll be with Irabeth again before you know it.
From the hamlet of Neathholm, the tunnel winds mostly in a southeast direction for about an hour. The tunnel narrows down at this point to a 5-foot-wide passageway, the walls carved with picks and chisels. Lann stops at this point and whispers to you. "We are very close to the Traitors camp now... I advice you to grab your weapons since they might have already noticed our arrival..." He points to the light coming from Arrika's spell. "...lights travel far in this tunnels."
He draws his shortsword and awaits for your signal before continuing. The tunnel opens up to reveal that barricades made of heaped loose rocks and wooden boards bisect the cavern. Beyond the barricades, a wooden screen covers the lower half of a tunnel mouth. Two mongrelmen maintain a watch here, probably to keep an eye out for troublemakers from Neathholm. Once they spot you, they raise an alarm by howling and shrieking.
rounds
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Round 1
Bertholdt - up
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel - up
Mongrelmen
Kelumarion
Lann
Arrika
Sabrina
Elriel was quick on his feet and maneuvered through the barricades to get up close and personal with one of the guards.
He slashed with his shortsword in a wide arc trying to silence the mongrel but his swing went wide.
"At them! Silence them!"
_____________
Elriel's attack goes wide but Bertholdt is able to thrust his spear deeply in one of the guards.
The wounded mongrel shrikes and tries to hit his club at Elriel but his blow is stopped by Elriel's chainmail. The second one was luckier and found flesh and blood behind the half-elf defenses.
________________________________
Round 1
Bertholdt [8/12 - grazed (-1)]
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel [7/11 - grazed (-1)]
Mongrelmen #1 [7 dmg - grazed (-1)]
Mongrelmen #2 [0 dmg - healthy]
Kelumarion - up
Lann
Arrika - up
Sabrina - up [9/11 - healthy]
Round 2
Bertholdt - up
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel - up
Mongrelmen
Kelumarion
Lann
Arrika
Sabrina
Lucky to have his new armor on, the rogue moved to the side to make rooms for the others to attack.
He once more attempted to slash and stab with his two blades.
____________
, miss
, hit?
|
|
Sabrina has no time to even think of a tactic to attack before she can take in the battlefield, her companions have charged into the fray.
her choices are much more limited or rather defined now.
Round 1
With the mongrelmen engaged with the others, Sabrina tries to make her way around to get behind the barricade.
The mongrel roar in surprise as Kelumarion jumps the barricade and lands beside him. Sabrina moves swift around the barricades and even if the two guards try to hit and stab her, her armor stops the first blow and the second attack misses entirely. In retaliation, Sabrina is able to slash at the mongrel, even if the cut is not too deep.
Bertholdt tried once more to stab on of the guards but the creature took advantage of Elriel's positioning, using him as cover against the mighty spear thrust. Anevie and Aravashniel came closer, but the fight was too clustered for Anevia's arrows. Elriel's first attack barely missed his target, but the second one was true, drawing blood and, almost, the life out of the mongrel... he stands, bloodied and weak.
Even wounded, the mongrel fighting Elriel was still able to deliver a mighty blow with his club, hitting Elriel in his chin, the ferrous taste of blood in his mouth. The second guard tried his luck with Sabrina but, once more, her armor proved itself impenetrable.
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Round 2
Bertholdt
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel [5/16 - wounded (-2)]
Mongrelmen #1 [13 dmg - critical (-3)]
Mongrelmen #2 [3 dmg - healthy]
Kelumarion - up
Lann
Arrika - up
Sabrina - up
Round 3
Bertholdt - up
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel - up
Mongrelmen
Kelumarion
Lann
Arrika
Sabrina
Still reeling from that last blow to his chin, Elriel tried to focus and see beyond the black spots in front of his eyes.
The half-elf stabbed again the mongrelman and tried to remain on his feet.
________________
, miss
, ?
Landing lightly among the traitor mongrelmen, Kelumarion lashes out, attempting to tear savagely with his teeth.
Moving forward with Anevia and Aravashnial, Arrika sees Kelumarion rush into the melee. He wants so badly to fight...I just wish I could protect him better, like he does me... At the mental sigh, she feels a rush of energy in her hands, like she'd felt when she conjured the acid drops; looking down, she sees a series of runes floating about them, barely visible. And she smiles, suddenly knowing why they're there. Continuing her rush forward, she reaches over the barrier. ::Kelu!:: she cries out, touching her hand to the agathion's head when it pops up and watching as the runes flow from her hand to dance over Kelumarion's skin.
Kelumarion gives a powerful bite at the mongrel's neck, making him blood profusely. While he looks at you staggered, Sabrina cuts his stomach, leaving his entrails exposed. He falls to the ground unconscious.
With another powerful thrust of his spear, the last guard's left lung is perforated. He also falls to the ground, unable to breath. From the other side of the wooden screen covering the lower half of the tunnel ahead of you, you can see two more guards, ready to fight. Slight behind them there is also an immense lizard moving with a slow but relentless gait, its feet end in large talons and ropes of drool hang from its toothy maw.
________________________________
Round 3
Bertholdt
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel - up [8/19 - wounded (-2)]
Kelumarion - up
Lann
Arrika - up
Sabrina - up
Round 4
Bertholdt - up
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel - up
Monitor Lizard
Kelumarion
Mongrelmen
Lann
Arrika
Sabrina
The half-elf looks at his blood-soaked clothes and winces in pain.
"Ain't gonna be any good in this condition."
He then gulps down one of his healing potions.
He then sees if his shortbow could come in handy...
"What do you see beyond the door?"
_______________
Kelumarion joins Sabrina in peering into the darkness beyond, scanning for any more foes. Though his haunches twitch excitedly with the prospect of more combat, he holds back with Sabrina and Elriel, waiting for their lead on whether to rush into the room beyond.
With her arm still draped over the barricade, Arrika strokes her companion's head one more time, willing him good fortune in the upcoming fight and watching as a warm light passes from her hand to his skin, flaring momentarily in the glowing rune on his forehead.
Sabrina could not see any more enemies on the other room, just a couple bedrolls, blankets and animal furs surrounding a fire pit filled with glowing coals. Despite armed, the guards is this chamber looks not really willing to rush forward but the lizard is not so smart.
The lizard rushed forward, trying to bite Kelumarion but missing entirely. Perhaps bolstered by the lizard's attack, one of the mongrels, with features of an orc, a porcupine, and a shark, was bearing a spear moved forward to attack Sabrina but her armor, once more, proved itself to resistant to be pierced. The other mongrel, resembling an elf with octopuses tentacles and bird traces, moved south, outside of your sight.
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Round 4
Bertholdt
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel
Monitor Lizard [10 dmg - grazed (-1)]
Kelumarion - up
Mongrelmen
Lann
Arrika - up
Sabrina - up
Round 5
Bertholdt - up
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel - up
Monitor Lizard
Kelumarion
Mongrelmen
Lann
Arrika
Sabrina
One going forr rreinforrcements! In back! Kelumarion growls out, biting at the monitor lizard in front of him viciously.
Round 4
Elriel lined up his sights on the lizard and shot one of his arrows.
A short bow it was so the half-elf had traded the power of a longbow for the mobility of a smaller weapon.
________________
After Sabrina cuts the lizard's thick hide, an arrow from Elriel also pierces the creature, and Kelumarion wastes no time in biting a chunk of the lizard, bringing him down quickly. One of the mongrels stepped forward to give combat to you but seeing their 'pet' being so quickly dispatched changed his mind and he followed his companion south.
Elriel lines up another arrow and goes into the room where the mongrels came from.
"Everybody OK?"
He sighed, "We just lost our surprise element if we ever had it."
Once on the other side, Elriel checks the area.
Once he's finished, he looks at the paladin, "Sabrina, you wanna lead us through the door? That old armor of yours is sure getting lots of new hits..."
The lingering smells of cooked meat and rank bodies hang in the air as you enter this new room. Ten bedrolls, each piled with coarse blankets and animal furs, surround a fire pit filled with glowing goals. Tanned hides hang stretched on the walls, each crudely painted with scenes of deformed humanoids hunting giant vermin in caves. There are three doors: one to the north and two to the east. Both the east doors are opened, even if the light from this room is not able to illuminate the others beyond.
In the southwestern part of this room, stout stone chairs surround a block of larger stone that serves as a table. The table's top strewn with bone dice and cracked clay jugs. Stained canvas pillows rest on the chairs. A copper bowl filled with coals hangs from the ceiling, filling the room with warmth and an orange glow. In the middle of the room stands another mongrel, with blue skin, reptile features, feathers on her shoulders and two pairs of insect legs protruding from her torso. She carries a longbow.
You hear orders being shouted from the other room but the meaning of them is lost thanks to the unknown tongue.
rounds
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Round 4
Bertholdt
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel
Kelumarion
Mongrelmen
Lann
Arrika - up
Sabrina - up
Round 5
Bertholdt
Aravashnial
Anevia
Elriel
Kelumarion - up
Wenduag
Mongrelmen
Lann
Arrika
Sabrina
Kelumarion bounds up behind Bertholdt, easily keeping pace with him and standing ready to take down his next foe.