The party quickly crosses to the island without incident, and continues following Lann as he heads into the small village. The group turns more than a few heads as they make their way through the crude stone buildings, as some murmurs about the "Up-landers" can be overheard. Aravahsnial resumes asking his many questions about this society of "Mole-people", but Sarah hushes him after a few minutes. Eventually Lann leads the group to the largest building at the highest point of the island and escorts them in.
Inside the group sees a few more of the creatures, but noticeably one that seems to be morbidly obese with some rodent features. His scraggly white hair matches the worn and likely blind appearance of his right eye, and he looks over the group as they enter.
"Chief Sull" Lann says, with a great deal of respect in his voice. "The tremors destroyed out outpost, killing many Mongrelmen. These up-landers helped us dig out the survivors." He motions to the group
"Then you have my thanks" Sull's voice is high-pitched and squeaky, and he leans in towards the group. "But I cannot imagine your kind coming down here without a good reason. What can I do for you?".
|
Sabrina steps forward. I am Sabrina De'Foe Crusader of the second crusades, I am afraid that the defenses of Kenebraes has been breached. the walls have fallen and the city most likely sacked. We are few of the survivors and have fallen down into your world here below.
Sabrina pauses and gives the leader a show of respect. we ask your assistance in returning to the surface and face what dangers lie before us up there.
"Please...we could really use your help."
Griffith finally breaks his silence, having had enough time to ponder upon their dire situation.
Griffith reaches into his pack and removes the pristine silver dragon scale of Terendelev.
"This scale belonged to Terendelev, she sacrificed herself for us. I am Griffith, a low angel of the heaven sent here by Ragathiel. Even the heavens have failed on this day. We Beseech thy Chief Sull, aid us in our quest to destroy the demonic hordes, to avenge those innocent that have lost their lives on this day. If not aid by blade, information would help us. Lann spoke of a "bad tribe" of your kin, may they see the error of their way or meet their makers."
Griffith plants his zweihander into the ground, knelling behind with his face pointed to the ground.
"Demons you say?" His tone changes immediately, into as solemn and somber as one can have with his voice. "And Terendeleve is dead . . . so that would mean the Wardstone has been captured or destroyed?" He doesn't pause to let anyone answer. "That is grave news indeed." He leans back in his chair, looking off to the side a bit before continuing. "You know, our kind once fought side-by-side with yours. I remember hearing stories passed down my family line for generations about the great battles of Raliscrad. The taint from that particular abyssal nightmare is the source of our . . . unique features. But if the stones are indeed broken, it sounds like Kenabres cannot afford to turn away help. Very well. Tell the rest of the Uplanders that the Mongrelmen of Kenabres will stand with them!"
He turns to Lann and says something unintelligible, which Lann quickly nods to and runs off. Sull then turns back to the party.
"We will gather the tribes as best as we can. We will honor the sacrifices of the Firsts. But then there is the matter of reaching the surface. Sadly that is not as easy as it sounds, as part of the reason our kind hid down here was the isolation. There is one relatively quick route back to the surface to the South of here. Sadly that particular route involves heading through the lair of the traitors--the Mongrelman tribe that chose to embrace their abyssal taint. Their presence is not something we can tolerate any longer." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "Feel free to stay and rest up here. Then, I need to you wipe that tribe and their up-lander cultist allies off the face of Golarion. I will have someone show you the way when you are ready."
"So they are the only thing between us and the surface?" Eldric looked at the faces of their new allies and fought the urge to shudder. He wanted to see the sky again. He wanted to see the sun. He didn't want to feel trapped. He didn't want to end up like them. "I'm ready. Are you all ready?"
Belg stood to the rear of the group, letting the more diplomatic speak on his behalf. He pondered it all quietly, letting it all sink in. While he appreciated the support of the mongrelmen, he wondered how well they would be received. The citizens above, if any remained alive, would need all the help they could get, even if they didn't recognize friend from foe at first. It would be up to them all to see that the delineation was clear.
"Agreed. We should set out at once. We must get to the wardstone. If these traitors are all that stands between us and the wardstone, they will have to be dealt with."
"Wait, if we're to deal with this tribe surely we could use some supplies? Chief Sull, is there anywhere in Neathholm were we can trade gear we retrieved from lost souls that perished deep underground?"
"Wait, if we're to deal with this tribe surely we could use some supplies? Chief Sull, is there anywhere in Neathholm were we can trade gear we retrieved from lost souls that perished deep underground?"
"Of course! Speak with Opoli--he's the mongrelman with antlers." Sull uses one of his tiny arms to point out a structure. "He's the one to talk to if you need anything magical, or if you have goods to trade." He shifts a bit in his chair. "Is there anything else you would like to know, or should I have someone show you to a comfortable place to sleep?"
Doing his best to sound diplomatic (and to keep the submerged panic from his voice), Eldric says "We should go as soon as possible. If we are to fight this other tribe we should see a map of their territory and our route, if possible, and then go fight our way to the surface."
|
|
Sabrina looks to her companion (Eldric), while I share your enthusiasm in getting to the surface. perhaps we should take a short rest here. let the wounded get some rest. perhaps tonight, we can plan our strategy while those that need the rest can do so.
Turning to Sull, Thank you for your hospitality.
Eldric looked around, imagining being stuck in the gloomy depths. Devoid of light, slowly twisting in form until he too became a mongrelman. The thought was terrifying. He kept his peace, though was evidently less than pleased.
Edmund nods to the Chief and makes his way to the man with the antlers.
He walks over to the structure and enters without hesitation.
Master..Lord..si.Umm Yes I am in hopes of purchasing several items I need for spells. I was informed by your chief that you are the person I should be speaking to. I am looking for several components that you may or may not have here. Salt, butter...umm this one might be hard to come by down here..but Gum Arabic also known as acacia gum, is a natural gum consisting of the hardened sap of various species of the acacia tree. I am also looking for a tiny bell, very fine silver wire and a leather loop. If you have a camp fire, I would like to collect some soot...a black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter...I have read that several dark land races burn dried giant mushrooms in place of wood. I myself have never tried such a fuel source but I find the possibility fascinating to say the least......
Edmund nods to the Chief and makes his way to the man with the antlers.
He walks over to the structure and enters without hesitation.
Master..Lord..si.Umm Yes I am in hopes of purchasing several items I need for spells. I was informed by your chief that you are the person I should be speaking to. I am looking for several components that you may or may not have here. Salt, butter...umm this one might be hard to come by down here..but Gum Arabic also known as acacia gum, is a natural gum consisting of the hardened sap of various species of the acacia tree. I am also looking for a tiny bell, very fine silver wire and a leather loop. If you have a camp fire, I would like to collect some soot...a black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter...I have read that several dark land races burn dried giant mushrooms in place of wood. I myself have never tried such a fuel source but I find the possibility fascinating to say the least......
Edmund finds himself facing a Mongrelman with a largely canine head, but with two large fly eyes covering most of his face. The creature listens carefully as Edmund talks, silently picking things off shelves as he goes down his list, laying them on the table in front of Edmund. "Here you go." His raspy voice and quick speech makes him stand out even among the Mongrelmen. "We might not take many trips up to the surface, but we trade with some of the other races that do, and we're quite aware of what we need from the surface world. Though I must say, what brings a human like you down here? I saw you headed to Sull's place in quite a hurry. We don't normally get many visitors."
Morning--or what your internal clocks tell you is probably "morning" in this sunless cave--comes without event. Cheif Sull's idea of "comfortable" was beds of soft dirt and patchy blankets, but it was still better than hard rock. As you wake and eat what you hope was a nutritious breakfast of fungus and purified cave water, Lann will gather the party together map in hand.
"Alright, Here's the best we got for maps. Head south along this route, take the first right here, and look for the worked cave passageway. That'll be them." His voice gains a more somber tone. "Be . . .careful. This tribe shoots on sight, and I've got no idea what nasty surprises their uplander--oh, sorry, um, hoo-man?--allies have ready for you. But they should have a ladder up somewhere in their cave. Take that up, past the maze-like thing, and then it should connect directly into your sewer system, which should connect with the surface."
"Thank you. For your hospitality and assistance." Later, he turns to the group and says "How shall we proceed? I believe it would be best to pick off as many as possible using stealth. Then lead the rest into an ambush. Though, admittedly I have very little experience in such matters. But war, it is like hunting, no? Just larger and more dangerous game..."
Edmund nods as the man places the items on the counter.
Thank you very much. These will help us to get back to the surface.
When he asks about how he got here...
Do you mean how did I arrive to your cave or do you mean how did I end up under the ground in the dark with the rest of the group???
Without waiting for a response he presses forward.
The gentleman named Lann escorted us here after we assisted him in excavating a collapsed tower. As for how I got here in general....
An amused look appears on his face
Apples....
He watches as the look of confusion crosses his face.
Well....magical apples to more precise. I was attending symposium of the magical properties of apples when the attack began.
Thank you again for the supplies.
He pays and leaves to join the others.
"Thank you. For your hospitality and assistance." Later, he turns to the group and says "How shall we proceed? I believe it would be best to pick off as many as possible using stealth. Then lead the rest into an ambush. Though, admittedly I have very little experience in such matters. But war, it is like hunting, no? Just larger and more dangerous game..."
"I'm not sure how stealthy you can be sadly. There is only one entrance to their cave from below, and it's a narrow cave passage about 1-person wide. Maybe if you have some invisibility magic you could sneak through, but I would not count on taking them by surprise"
"Your tribe is doing work of the light, may your tribe be blessed Lann. The Topsiders will know of your people and all the good they have done."
Griffith removes his zweihander.
"it pains me to take life of another, I left that part of my life beyond. It would appear even priest must prepare for war."
Edmund nods as the man places the items on the counter.
Thank you very much. These will help us to get back to the surface.When he asks about how he got here...
Do you mean how did I arrive to your cave or do you mean how did I end up under the ground in the dark with the rest of the group???
Without waiting for a response he presses forward.
The gentleman named Lann escorted us here after we assisted him in excavating a collapsed tower. As for how I got here in general....
An amused look appears on his face
Apples....He watches as the look of confusion crosses his face.
Well....magical apples to more precise. I was attending symposium of the magical properties of apples when the attack began.Thank you again for the supplies.
He pays and leaves to join the others.
The mongrelman just laughs heartily at "magical apples". He leans back behind a shelf and says something in a language you don't understand, which elicits a laugh from a vaguely more feminine voice behind it. He composes himself before continuing. "I'm sorry, that was slightly rude of me. But for a second there I though you meant that you came all the way down here searching for magical apples!" He chuckles a little bit more, and takes the money with a smile. "Good luck! And may apple's magic bless your travels!"
"Well then. Let's go knock on their door then."
Eldric looked around expectantly.
|
|
Sabrina was thankful for the rest, her years in the wilderness in exile seemed to have prepared her for these kind on accommodations.
Once we have secured safety on the surface, your tribe will be welcome to visit as well as trade with what we have to offer. but I fear that the immediate future on the surface will be rather grim. war is never a pretty sight.
Sabrina takes a moment to study the map looking over the possibilities for a tactical advance.
"Well then. Let's go knock on their door then."
Eldric looked around expectantly.
Sabrina was thankful for the rest, her years in the wilderness in exile seemed to have prepared her for these kind on accommodations.
Once we have secured safety on the surface, your tribe will be welcome to visit as well as trade with what we have to offer. but I fear that the immediate future on the surface will be rather grim. war is never a pretty sight.
Sabrina takes a moment to study the map looking over the possibilities for a tactical advance.
Lann will point over to the traitor's cave on the map. "The entrance here is long, winding, and narrow, and they always have guards here, so I recommend moving in quickly. You want to get through this first room as fast as possible to avoid getting pinned in the caves. You should put someone on point who can move fast and take some hits." He takes a slow breath before continuing. "Inside, you're probably going to want to look for their leader. Him and his mate are a pair of nasty demon-worshiping head cases. You'll be able to recognize them by their golden-yellow fur. Oh, and uh . . ." he pauses for a second. "Don't get bit."
After some negotiations and strategic planning, the party heads out from Neathholm, with Lann directing them around the tunnels until the party reaches a small passage clearly not of natural formation. "That's it" he whispers somberly. "It winds a little bit, but about 100ft down that passage is the entrance to their lair."
The tunnel itself looks like it was carved out of the cave wall with pics and chisels, and is only 5 feet wide. "I'll stay here with the cripples" he looks at Anevia, Aravashnial, and Horgus. "Nonsense!" Aravashnial proclaims. "We must swiftly rid this area of the foul demonic menace! Onward!" He points directly at the side of the passage. Anevia chuckles a bit. [b]"Maybe you can help me and Lann secure the rear?"[b] she says, tapping on the wall in front of where he pointed. Horgus meanwhile, can be overheard meekly muttering something along the lines of "Who said I was a cripple".
You can do this. You can do this. Just like hunting a beast in the forest. You can do this. Eldric's heart beat in fear as he moved. He was underground, and was stalking mutated monstrosities that, if he was lucky, would only want to eat him. But it was something that he had to do. He repeated to himself Cold iron for demons and fey. Silver for weres and skeletons. Arrows for anything that moves. But how would he tell what was a demon and what was just demon-born? Easy. When your arrows bounce off and they eat your face you'll know that you messed up. He shook his head, making himself focus on the task at hand.
Griffth his left hand in a fist covering his mouth from letting out a burst of laughter.
He responds in celestial to Sabrina.
"Alright Eldric. Get going now. I'll count to 10 and then Sabrina and I will follow and the rest behind us. Now, don't go tryin' to be a hero lad. We gotta work together on this. We don't know how manys they got in there, so stay close. Don't get separated. Alright lad, on your way."
Belg's tone was one of earnest sincerity, like a father talking to his son before he went off to do something dangerous.
Eldric creeps forward into the cave passage, keeping a sharp eye on the passage ahead and a keen ear out for any noise.
Sadly it appears his nerves were getting to him, as he loses focus a few times on the way. As he rounds a corner, he all of a sudden finds himself staring down a pair of mongrelmen standing behind some chest-high barricades in front of a crude wooden door, who seem just as confused to be suddenly staring at a winged humanoid. One of them exclaims something in a language Eldric doesn't understand as they pull out some crude clubs.
Surprised and frazzled, when Eldric saw the two mongrelmen he acted on pure instinct. Already holding an arrow it was fired before he even realized it at the closest foe. Sure that it wouldn't be enough to take him down, a second arrow soon followed.
"Contact!"
[dice=Hit with pbs vs flat foot]1d20+6
[dice=dmg]1d8+3[dice=Hit with pbs vs flat foot]1d20+6
[dice=dmg]1d8+3Surprised and frazzled, when Eldric saw the two mongrelmen he acted on pure instinct. Already holding an arrow it was fired before he even realized it at the closest foe. Sure that it wouldn't be enough to take him down, a second arrow soon followed.
"Contact!"
Both arrows lodge into the creature's shoulder and it lets out a shriek in pain, but it doesn't go down just yet.
The tunnel was narrow enough that Belg could hear the bow string reverberating off of the the passage walls. He rushed forward to stand next to Eldric, drawing his warhammer as he moved. Taking care to not run out into the open, he stopped shy of the cavern and with his shoulder on the rock wall, peered around the corner, careful to keep as much of the rock wall between him and the defenders.
With one hand still holding the warhammer, his other hand opened wide, palm towards the floor. His eyes darkened slightly as bits of dirt and debris began to swirl around under his outstretched hand. Suddenly, his hand clenched into a fist and the pebbles gathered together like a snowball formed from ice crystals. He hurled the floating stones with a simple flick of his wrist and through the air it flew as one big rock towards one of the defenders.
Hearing the words did not make him feel any easier. Contact He was not used to this type of thing. Edmund had read many books on tactics and combat, especially magical combat. Today was the first time that he has had to use his knowledge and those words did not do justice to what is actually going on around him. Those words do not explain the smells that come from the people you are casting spells from or the sounds that erupt form their lungs when a spell connects with flesh. He can read all the books on this topic but it will never compare to what his senses tell him.
Edmund sets himself to his task at hand and moves up the path to stand behind Eldric. All the while he is rummaging through his belt pouches. The fingers of his left hand twirl and twist in arcane patterns as his right hand comes forth from his belt pouch with a fist full of sand. His voice is low and steady as his finishes his spell.
With one hand still holding the warhammer, his other hand opened wide, palm towards the floor. His eyes darkened slightly as bits of dirt and debris began to swirl around under his outstretched hand. Suddenly, his hand clenched into a fist and the pebbles gathered together like a snowball formed from ice crystals. He hurled the floating stones with a simple flick of his wrist and through the air it flew as one big rock towards one of the defenders.
The cluster of pebbles and dirt from Belg slams into the wounded Mongrelman's chest, and he doubles over and slumps to the ground from the blow, no longer moving.
The mongrelman looks momentarily drowzy, but snaps himself back to attention before he falls over.
Sarah will quickly rush up with the rest of the group, standing just in front of Sabrina with her hand slightly glowing with healing magic, ready to administer first aid should the need arise.
Seeing the first mongrelman go down, Eldric allowed himself a smile. It faded however, as the second one continued to stand even after Edmund's spell.
"Don't let it get away! If it escapes it will alert the entire nest."
Not having much room to advance, Sabrina does what she can to assist, advancing up behind the dwarf.
Not having much room to advance, Sabrina does what she can to assist, advancing up behind the dwarf.
As Sabrina moves forward, the sole remaining Mongrelman lets out a loud, piercing shriek that echos throughout the cave. He then swings his club at Sabrina's head.
The swipe goes too high as Sabrina quickly dodges out of the way.
Griffith struggles to move closer to the enemies, he makes his way closer to the traitor mongrelman.
He looks at the traitor, his halo maifests a pale blue light, charged with his holy essence. Griffth's eyes fill up with this light and within a blink of an eye the blue flame envelopes mongrelman.
Firing off a hasty shot, Eldric took a deep breath. Time seemed to slow down. He could see every detail of his target. Even the color of its eyes, his target...
Griffith struggles to move closer to the enemies, he makes his way closer to the traitor mongrelman.
He looks at the traitor, his halo maifests a pale blue light, charged with his holy essence. Griffth's eyes fill up with this light and within a blink of an eye the blue flame envelopes mongrelman.
Sadly, it seems like this particular Mongrelman has a thicker hide, which seems to absorb most of the damage from the fire effect due to his quick reaction.
Firing off a hasty shot, Eldric took a deep breath. Time seemed to slow down. He could see every detail of his target. Even the color of its eyes, his target...
Eldric's first arrow narrowly misses the remaining mongrelman, but his second one plunges straight into the creature's forehead, which crunches loudly as he falls over, motionless.
With the two guards down, Belg rushed forward to stand next to Sabrina. Warhammer in hand, he looked back at the others and waved them forward. With their shield line formed, everyone would need to be in position to fire a volley when the doors opened.
Griffith with move forward when Belg beckons them.
If you hear me casting do not look back at me, or you may be affected by my spells visual effects.
Sarah will join everyone standing near the door.
Eldric motions for everyone to wait. He whispers "Before you open the door, let me center myself. This would be a good time to get yourself ready for the coming fight."
Sabrina will form up at the door with everyone else, and nod at Eldric.
As the party forms up on the door and Eldric casts his spell, the noises on the other side of the door fall quiet. Sabrina will look back at everyone else in the party with a silent nod, then force open the door.
Standing in front of the party is another pair of mongrelmen, clutching crude wooden weapons, along with some kind of lizard-looking thing between them. In the back right of the room is another mongrelmen, but this one has a bow and arrow, and hisses something unintelligible at the party.
Initiatives: