Following Kalsgrim's lead, Servayn attempts to offer aid in tracking as well, and directs Ember to help as well.
Noticing the others are helping him out, Kriger can't help but smile. "Thanks fellas! I appreciate the help! Especially since I'm not real sure if this is the trail or not." He tells them as he examines the ground.
"Looky here, fellas. I found a sharp stick. I think I'll use it to poke things."
With the careful help of the others Kriger is able to discern a party of kobolds arrived from the west and shortly departed to the south east. Due to the age of the tracks he can't determine how many kobolds or how long ago exactly. The trail goes cold at the edge of the field of bones and is lost in the taller grass of the surrounding hills. They were likely headed to the area marked 'kobolds' on the groups map. Strangely, it seems that something was drug along with them.
Janku easily finds signs of shock on the kobold, similar to the marks of an animal or tree that has been struck by lightning. He distinctly recalls healing wounds just as these.
"I wouldn't worry about the creature evading us this time. From the looks of things, we still may come across it as we near the kobold's lair," Lukasz says to Kalsgrim, letting him know that the creature will get the reward it deserves once it had been found.
Corso resumes his scouting position. "My lord Kriger, would you care to join me at the front? You seem to be at ease moving in silence."
"Aye. I wanna make sure I don't miss anything exciting!" He responds. "But there is something you can help me out with, Corso." He says as scans the area. "Call me Kriger. I'm not much for the whole 'lord' business." He tells him as he pats him on the shoulder.
Corso and Kriger carefully scout ahead keeping a keen eye out for the wisp or more kobolds. After creeping through the plains for an hour with no sign of either, the two fall back to the others and the group proceeds as normal. The sun begins to drop after the party has delved into the hill lands to the south.
Camp is setup in the hollow between two hills next to a spring that flows out of sheer rock. With the watches arranged as usual the night passes uneventfully.
Current Map
Even the other fey we met earlier seemed to despise the mites, so I suspect that we will be better served eradicating them, than attempting to negotiate with them...
Kriger, Corso. If I recall correctly, the reported lair of the mites is off that way. Why don't we make our way there now. I think we are as ready as well ever be.
Kriger looks on, "You got it Kalsgrim." He says as he begins that direction.
It is not long before the scouts of the group spot a telling sight. Looming over all the hills in the northern Kamelands, a graying hulk of a sycamore tree clings precariously to its last years of life. The 100-foot-tall tree is visible for miles around. This tree is located at the heart of the mite territory. After approaching Kriger and Corso search the area around it with the newcomer discovering a hidden hole among the roots of the ancient tree. It consists of a root-lined shaft that drops down into the earth 10 feet.
"Tree is sick," Ember says sagely, impressed with his own wisdom.
Approaching the tree, Lukasz keeps his eyes peeled for danger as the group draws near. Seeing the hole that Kriger pointed out, Lukasz digs up a pebble out of the ground and whispers arcane words. The stone emitting a dim light that is overpowered by the day around them, Lukasz states, "I am ready to enter when you all are."
Janku takes a moment to ask for Melani's blessing (Casts Sanctuary).
Janku nervously begins his descent, not at all confident in his ability to support his bulk with his strength alone.
Climb
Servayn will remain at the top while the first few descend, muttering an arcane incantation meant to steady their grip.
He'll descend, and then dismiss Ember, taking a minute to resummon him if the party is not immediately beset by foes.
"Let's see what we got, fellas." Kriger says as he descends.
Casting a simple cantrip to allow the light to float with him as he descends, Lukasz will climb down the rope
Climb:
The ten feet of root filled tunnel is easily descended by everyone. The tunnels here are cramped causing even the shortest of the group to hunch over. At the bottom of the entry tunnel another tunnel forks to the west and east, farther than the light is cast. Which ever direction is chosen will have to be in single file.
"Alright fellas. Which way? Doesn't matter to me. I'll look for prints, just in case, but my guess is both these tunnels are used."
Both paths are used frequently. Several small creatures have been moving back and forth as recently as an hour ago.
"As suspected, both paths used often." He says. "It seems they've been here as little as an hour ago, though." He informs them. "So we gonna draw straws on which way to go, or do any of you have a preference?"
Janku waits a minute till Corso, and Kriger disappear from view, then leads the next group onward.
In the feeble glow of Lukasz magical zone of light, with impenetrable darkness filled with gods-knows-what yawning in front of them, Servayn mutters quietly. "Does no one remember how Garrik and Ox went off and we never saw them again? I don't like this 'splitting up' idea."
mentally preparing himself as the group headed into the darkness of the Mites' den, Lukasz didn't like the cramped area at all. however, he followed behind the person in front of him, occasionally looking behind him to makes sure those behind him were following as well.
Not wanting to risk something happpening to Lukasz light source and plunging them into darkness, Servayn also calls forth light, from the head of the morningstar hanging at his side, so that it is low and not directly in the eyes of his companions.
Ember, whose head is right at that level, softly growls his disapproval at the sudden light in his face, and shifts to peer around the other side of his thoughtless summoner.
Corso carefully descends the tunnel, each movement made in near silence. Soon the tunnel begins to slope and widen, revealing an open space beyond. The wet-looking floor of this large cavern is crisscrossed by several shallow trenches, each containing trickles of putrid- looking fluid. Six foul mounds of compost and dung lie heaped about the room, each studded with small spherical eggs. In the faint light Corso can barely make out a small figure sitting on a pile thirty-feet away, at its feet is a bowl of foul paste that four giant centipedes eagerly eat from. Their mandibles fill the room with clacking as they writhe about. One of the vermin pauses for a moment as though it heard a noise, but returns to devouring the gruel.
mite
giant centipede
giant centipede
giant centipede
giant centipede
Map of The Old Sycamore
"The little man needs to fall immediately, lest it cry out for assistance and we are beset from ahead and behind. Is your bow up to the task, Lord Kalsgrim? If you signal me when your bow is ready to fire, I can conjure light within the chamber, so that the shadows do not impair your aim."
He casts guidance on Kalsgrim, to give him a +1 to his next attack roll, skill check or saving throw within the next minute, and, if a minute passes before they move forward, refreshes it.
"There is a man living with these vermin? What is this all about? Are we fighting giant centipedes or a man? Or both? I'm a little lost here." Kriger looks around at them all, hoping they can make some sense of all this for him.
As Kalsgrim moves through the tunnel he can hear the chattering of the centipedes grow louder. When Lukasz rounds the corner behind him he can see the dimly lit form of a small bulbous humanoid. The creature is barely a foot and a half tall with huge bulging eyes that glow in the reflected light. Kalsgrim has barely enough time to determine that this beings heart holds no good before it screeches and thrusts it's tiny hand at the paladin. The centipedes turn from their meal of ground mice towards something far more savory.
Janku
Kalsgrim
Kriger
Lukasz
Servayn
mite
centipedes
[21] Lukasz
[20] mite
[20] Janku
[18] Kalsgrim
[12] Kriger
[11] Corso
[8] centipedes
Ember surges forward at a quick lope.
Servayn steps forward a single place, and causes a copper coin he has withdrawn from his pouch to glow with magical light (which causes the glow on his morningstar to fade), and then chucks it forward into the room, attempting to sail it past both Kalsgrim and Corso, to land in front of Corso.