Nodding in agreement to the plan Thorvald hurls his second spear hoping this one finds its mark.
"Grab the rope!"
to hit (rage, power attack)
damage (22 Str, power attack)
Zethyris tries to move towards the rope, but must fight to keep himself from drowning. He attempts to speak between gasps for air.
"Careful...... I.....think........its.........teeth........poison........."
"...............help....."
Seconds after the creature bites into Jediah he feels his blood burn as the creatures venom seeps into his wounds .
Anastasiya's next round of force darts connect against the creatures hides just below the surface as its serpentine head burst out of the water in pain and fury. Deep red eyes with white pupils glare about from a thickly scaled head full of row upon row of long serrated fangs. Taking the opportunity Dagmar reloads her crossbow and fires at the creatures head before is drops back below the surface. Isham waits to see if anyone needs his help. The venom continues to move through Jediah, burning its way deeper to his core as he manages to keep his own head afloat and moves away from the creature, his armour deflecting another of the creatures bites as he does so. Thorvald hurls his last spear at the creature piercing its armoured neck straight through. Thanks to Jediah and Isham's aid Zethyris is able to swim his way over to the rope even as the creatures venom continues to destroy him from the inside out where Rutilux begins hauling him out of the water slowly. Obviously in pain, the creature twists its head around pulls the spear out and snaps it in two with its teeth before plunging below the surface again and disappearing into the depths. The girl Slme swims beside Jediah helping to keep him above the surface despite his deep wound and his heavy armour
Jediah goes down again. Burble
Rutilux continues to haul Zethyris up steadily, "He looks bad. Dagmar?"
Ana recognizes the creature when it shows its head.
"A sea serpent!" she shouts in astonishment. "I wonder what it is doing here. Jediah, does the water down there taste salty?"
Oh, sure. Thats just like him. I ask him a simple question and he disappears without any reply.
Ana delays her action while looking at the spot where Jediah just disappeared, visibly annoyed by his behavior.
Salty? Kind of like your mouth is after a night with Thorvald? Hah!
Survival Check
knowledge nature
"That is an odd creature, was that a Linnorm! I think he is coming back. Jediah start climbing up if you can. I will get the rope for you other two."
Thorvald deploys his own rope hoping that either Isham or Silme can reach it and he can at least get them high enough that the beast can't reach them.
rope toss
Jediah climbs!
Dagmar moves to Zethyris's side as soon as he is hauled up over the edge and quickly examines his wounds and casts a healing spell upon him.
Julian watches the water for approaching danger.
"Thank you, my friends." He smiles gratefully, albeit weakly, at Dagmar and Rutilux.
Peering over the edge, Zethyris draws his bow and looses an arrow the next time the creature shows itself.
As Rutilux and Thorvald haul on the ropes pulling Zethyris up from the water he succumbs to venom, passing out mid way up forcing the two to pull him up without his help.
Meanwhile, down at the bottom in the water Isham and Silme are hard pressed to keep Jediah from drowning while he struggles with his armours weight and his own dose of venom.
Rutilux and Thorvald finally manage to get Zethyris's unconscious form up from the bottom and its quite obvious that unless something happens very soon to stop the venom or counteract its effects he's going to die .
Isham and Silme manage to hold Jediah above the water long enough for him to grab hold of the rocky wall where he immediately begins hauling himself out of the water and slowly up the rock face trying to ignore the worst of the venoms side effects
[ooc]Buzzed through two rounds this time to speed things up. Zethyris didn't arrive at the top until the second round so you can keep your last action Dagmar or change it.
no damage
Zethyris lies dying on the ground at Dagmar's feet as she frantically searches through her pack looking for her of the damages the venom caused to him. Rutilux and Thorvald work to help Isham and Silme up while Jediah still burning from the venom continues to climb up wall.
Despite Dagmar's efforts she is unable to keep Zethyris in this world. Kneeling next to him, cradling his form as the venom induced convulsions slow and then eventually stop along with the last of his breath. The last vestiges of pain slip away from his face as his muscles go limp and the tension leaves his limbs and a single tear rolls down his cheek.
Jediah, Silme and Isham finally make their way to the stop and are confronted with the solemn sight above. Silme looks to everyone, holding one hand in front of her face, "Oh no." she lowers herself to her knees beside him, bows her head, and begins a quiet prayer over Zethyris.
[smaller]"Maidens hear my prayers. Look upon this soul and guide him to his final home, safeguard his journey through the hereafter."
"Grab the rope! We need to get you up!
Thorvald stands ready to draw up the rest of the party members.
When there's no more commands to keep pulling, Rutlux looks to the others, "Did everyone..." Then he notices Zeth go limp, and the words 'make it' die on his lips.
As Silme speaks, Rutilux drops to one knee to pay homage to his fallen friend.
"Grab the rope! We need to get you up!
Thorvald stands ready to draw up the rest of the party members.
Thorvald was spent from lifting everyone out of the water with Rutilux. Fatigue and the death of his friend made his shoulders slump. Slime looked at her hand before making her prayer. Did she loose something in the water? Why is she looking at her hand? She acted strange too, before she had herself slip down in.
The big barbarian made his way over to Dagmar and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You did what you could, that . . . thing . . . was too powerful in its poison. I wish we could have gotten him up faster, maybe . . . Thorvald shook his head, there was no use in speculating now, he had to honor his friend's death.
"It was a good death, Zethyris fought against a terrible foe and struck it true to help save his companions before he fell. He kept his warrior spirit until the end and no doubt would have been covering the waters below with an arrow if he still had breath."
He waits a moment for the others to react or reflect in their own way. They had known the half elf longer than he did. He pulled the spiral shaped iron symbol out and rolled it in his hand as he silently mouthed prayers for the soul of the fallen.
When appropriate Thorvald expresses a slim hope that something more could be done,
"Can we call him back from death? Does anyone close or Savol have something that could bring him back Silme? If it is possible we should at least try, but let us leave this place for now, we can seek our vengeance later and Jediah is also poisoned."
"No. It was a pointless death." Ana disagrees with Thorvald with an absent voice. "It just makes no sense. We end this siege together. We even slay a dragon. And here he is killed because he falls into a chasm and is bitten by a snake."
All the while she continues staring down the chasm, ready to fire more magic missiles at the serpent if it shows itself again.
"I have no magic to bring back the dead. But maybe the dwarves have. Or Savol. How long till he arrives?"
Julian continues watching below, mouth set grimly.
"I'm not sure how long it will be till he arrives. I don't know if I've ever heard of any of his being able to raise even the recently dead," Rutilux says and wipes at his eyes. He rises to his feet, "I forget but in the stories, there's limited time to bring someone back, a few days? is that right?"
Dagmar appears rather stunned as she is unable to heal Zethyris and prevent him from dying. This can't be. I've kept everyone alive through so many other dangers, dragons, serpents, cannibals, so many things. How could I fail now?
Dagmar begins to cry as she realizes that her magic just isn't enough to bring him back this time.
"I think so, yes. A couple of days - until the soul reaches the afterlife." Ana replies in a monotone voice, still staring down the chasm.
Rutilux puts a hand on Dagmar's shoulder in sympathy, then speaks to the others, "If time is of the essence, then some of us should try to get to the horses again. And... I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have been so desperate to look for them." he swallows.
"Enough. We are warriors and one of us fell. It happens. Sadness is a luxury for another time. We can hope for a miracle but we need to focus on reality now. This mountain base is becoming increasingly untenable. Rutilex, get the horses and don't make this about you. Our enemies and perhaps the gods themselves are to blame. Ana, death is often pointless. It is simply another part of life. Zethyris is on his way to his reward, drinking with his god. And you," Julian grabs Dagmar by the shoulders. "Get it together. It is through your talents and generocity that any of us are alive at all. You did what you could. We continue to need you. Jediah is sickly, greener than usual. In short, now we move. Later we grieve." As Julian gathers his things, he turns to Silme. "Did you enjoy, watcher?"
Rutilux, get the horses and don't make this about you
The Cavalier stiffens for a moment, then inclines his head, "Quite right." and makes his way promptly to find the horses.
Blarg.
"No, Rutilux, that thought is as useless as me second guessing myself for throwing my spears rather than helping you with the rope. Sunfire is like your right hand, and we all had a responsibility to our mounts. Absent extenuating circumstances we had to come here, and Zethyris came willingly. Who could have foreseen this."
"Many of us would be dead many times over if it wasn't for Dagmar's magic, but even she cannot cheat the three fates of every thread they weave and cut."
Taken quite by surprise as Julian grabs her by the shoulders and his statement of how the groups still needs her, Dagmar remembers that others also had fallen down into the water and she will move to look over Jediah and Isham.
Julian's speech makes Ana snap out of her trance. She turns away from the chasm and looks at him.
"You are right, Julian." She exclaims with amazement. Then she pats Julian on his back. "I didn't expect you of all people to say all this. But you are right. You never cease to surprise me. I'm sure Zethyris would be proud of you right now."
Once all the things are packed and the horses are ready, she asks
"How do we get the horses back to the city? The underground path seems to be no longer an option. Do you think the surface route is safe enough to travel already?"
She looks into the distance, searching for signs of hobgoblins.
Rutilux hears the words of Thorvald, and pauses only long enough, "Yes, you and Julian are both right." then he goes to get the horses. His expression still troubled
"Silme did you drop something?"
After Julian turns on Silme, "My duty is never joyous. I understand your pain at your companions loss and I can see by the looks on many of your faces that my presence is unwelcome. If you would like my help gathering your horses I will do that then be gone and allow you all to grieve in private." she then reaches over and collects her discarded lance and begins moving to the exit when Throvald stops her, "Yes, well no. Nothing that I cannot replace."
She helps Rutilux and anyone else collect the horses that scattered outside of the mine and begins heading east on foot towards Hadnior's gates.
You carefully lift Zethyris up and deposit him in the bed of the cart that the dwarves lent you and start making your way back to the city.
When the guards see you approach you can hear cheers of the cities heroes but those dwindle and stop when they see the looks upon your faces. The looks upon your faces are mirrored upon too many of the dwarves, soldiers who know your pain and have felt it themselves over the past few months.
Knowing Zethyris' religion you take him to the primary temple, which has a wing dedicated to Caiden Caiylian, to seek advice or last rights. The wing you are shown to looks more like a drinking hall than a true temple, filled with boisterous laughter and many drunken dwarves plus a few ulfen. When you bring in Zethyris the laughter and jovial mood ebbs and the elderly dwarven bar tender, who removes his apron to reveal priestly vestments, slips out from behind the bar and moves to meet you. "Greeting and welcome to the hall of Caylien, though it looks as though your not her to celebrate. Please rest your friend here," pointing to a bare stone table along the far wall with the symbol of the Happy Drunk. "Now tell me children, what is it that we can do for you?"
Rutilux is grateful for the help and tells Silme so. "Much appreciated, Silme. Join us for a time. I will tell you what I can of what you might wish to know of Zethyris, though he was a quiet one. He deserves no less than to be remembered by your order as fully as can be, for he was worth knowing."
And he will fill her in on all that he knows.
------
The dwarves cheers dwindle to grim faces, Rutilux nods and salutes them.
The temple is a welcome sight. The laughter feels wrong, but still.
"Greeting and welcome to the hall of Caylien, though it looks as though your not her to celebrate. Please rest your friend here," pointing to a bare stone table along the far wall with the symbol of the Happy Drunk. "Now tell me children, what is it that we can do for you?"
"We have lost one of our own to poison and death from a monster serpent in the waters. He was a follower of the Hero God. Zethyris deserves great praise, and likely his reward, but we called him friend and do not wish to part with him yet. It is said some clerics can raise the dead. Selfish as it is of us, we would ask if you knew of some way to give him life again?"
Sense motive
"I also wanted to thank you for your help and I have a spare horse, there is no need for you to walk. I am hoping you will come to the city with us and meet Savol."
If Thorvald has the opportunity he will press the issue of how she was looking at Zethyris, "What is it that you ponder Silme? Do you see something there that we do not?"
Oh, good. At least we don't have to climb down there to get it ... whatever it was.
"Thank you Thorvald, Rutilux. I would love to hear more about your friend while we ride. I am sorry I don't know what that was but it did appear somewhat Draconic, maybe it was similar to a drake or something. Maybe a strange half dragon eel or water snake." Silme listens intently while Rutilux spends the ride back telling her all about Zethyris and his many heroic deeds, some probably exaggerated a little. It's not until you reach the gates that Thorvald has a chance to quietly talk with Silme, "I'm not sure, I've been present at far too many deaths and my order is trained to sense when someone's death approaches. I could sense how close he was to death but afterwards it seemed that something lingered, as if something was still there holding on if you will. It's really hard to describe and I've never encountered anything like it before, maybe one of my sisters has but I don't know if it means anything."
=======================
The assembled dwarves salute Zethyris and offer up a toast, pouring their ales on the ground as they chant in unison, "One last round for the fallen." before sitting back down and allowing you to speak with the priest.
"It is true that some of the most powerful agents of the gods can indeed restore life to the dead, unfortunately I cannot. My friend the arch prelate of the Abadar's church has such power though. The reagents required to restore a soul into their body are quite expensive and a more importantly, the deceased must be willing to return. The decision ultimately lies with your friend. If you still wish to return your friend to life I will gladly introduce you to hi...." the priests eyes roll back in his head as he stands before you and he begins mumbling something almost incoherent in celestial.
A sudden exhale of breath from his dead lips release a single word, "Eron" as his back arches and he slumps back on the slab breathing laboured breaths.
The priest has fallen to his knees, obviously exhausted and several regulars rush to his side, "Are you alright?" and "What's going on?" being the most asked question from them.
Zethyris appears quite groggy as he begins to sit up.
"By the gods!?!"
"HOLY F*!#ING S@$*!"
"Thank you Thorvald, Rutilux. I would love to hear more about your friend while we ride. I am sorry I don't know what that was but it did appear somewhat Draconic, maybe it was similar to a drake or something. Maybe a strange half dragon eel or water snake." Silme listens intently while Rutilux spends the ride back telling her all about Zethyris and his many heroic deeds, some probably exaggerated a little.
Rutilux feels some comfort in the telling of his ally's exploits. It is a balm to honor him this way, and he likes Silme's company, though he wishes the death that caused the story telling had not occurred.
*****
Rutilux listens to the dwarf talk about the cleric of Abadar, ready to deal with just about ANY priesthood that isn't evil if it'll help his friend.
Then suddenly the dwarven priest speaks in tongues...
and a friend's corpse mutters a word and then sits up.
"Zeth?" he finally stammers out.
She is so shocked by the sight of their dead friend sitting up, Dagmar just lets out a surprised little squeak and then drops to the floor in a faint.
"By the Ancestors! Zethyris has been returned to us! You are sure he was dead right? I mean, he wasn't just paralyzed or in a coma, right?! Thank you, Pharasma for releasing your claim to his soul and allowing him to return."
Thorvald grips his many holy symbols and begins offering his thanks, as he helps Zethyris sit up in his groggy state. "Bring this man an Ale!"
Ana is taken aback seeing Zethyris' body start to move again.
"Zethyris? Is that you?" She asks cautiously.
She casts detect magic on Zethyris, trying to determine whether the lingering aura is necromantic, healing, or something else entirely.
Welcome back, bro!
Ana relaxes a bit when she detects no immediate signs of necromancy.
But she remains alert as she waits for Zethyris to respond.
Julian catches Dagmar before she falls.
Zethyris props himself up with an elbow and rubs his eyes. As his vision clears, he is
heartened to his friends around him. His eyes widen as Dagmar collapses, and he attempts to spring forward and catch her. However, his legs do not quite respond as well as he expected, and it is only with a sudden graceful twist that he is able to avoid faceplanting on the floor beside the table. Looking up at the gaping faces of his companions from a decidedly undignified position, he gives a sheepish grin.
"Oh. Um, hello again. Could one of you give Dagmar a hand? I just need a moment, my body seems sort of, er, stiff. Ah, thank you Julian."
"Zethyris? Is that you?"
"Yes. Why? Do I look different?" Zethyris pulls himself up and sits on the edge of the table. He does a quick check of himself to see if he has inded changed, or if Ana is just being cautious. Finding nothing unusual, he turns back to the others. "Now, I've got to talk to you all... oh! Where are my manners?" Zethyris turns to the head priest and, hopping off the table again (far more gracefully this time) kneels down and takes one of the priest's hands in his. "Thank you, Father, for your aid. I quite literally owe you my life," he says with utmost sincerity and gratefulness. "May you ale never sour and your courage never falter."
Rutilux is still stunned, "I am... so glad to see you alive. Well, of course I am, we all are." The cavalier rambles a bit, but pauses long enough for their newly restored ally to thank the priest before asking "What or who is Eron? You spoke that word right before you arose, or so it seemed."