Having been somewhat unnerved by the passing of the hellhound, and strangely intrigued by that something beyond, Kairon is not as quick on Goruck's heels as he'd like to be. Hearing the half-orc's battle cry, he races to move to his friends' aid.
Smiling serenely underneath his mask, the half orc whirls his battleaxe into a crushing strike, aiming for the chain of the fiery dwarf. "Nişka te hêsirên xwe dizanin. Ez ji bila berdana mirina bêhmê me pêşkêşî bikim."
Goruck slams his newly acquired magical Glintaxe down with such ferocious fury, using the Forge Spurned's own anvil as the backstop for his blow, that the link of the chain he hits all but severs in half then and there.
Immediately flying into a rage, the fiery, smoke-bearded dwarf swings at Goruck with his hammer.
But Goruck is no easy foe to strike. He parries the blow with his shield, and laughs a laugh so maniacal and intimidating, that the Forge Spurned, for just a moment, looks unsure, perhaps even frightened.
Dolok will gather all his courage together and move in closer so he can cast his Enlarge Person on Goruck. He figures that will help more than any strength check he could attempt for breaking the chain. "Kad jie DIDELIS!"
Chillel reamins behind cover and focuses the Misfortune Hex against the Forge Spawned. First time I have done this. Hopefully I have it right.
Chillel's attempt to weaken the Forge Spurned fails as his supernatural power shrugs off her hex magic like so much water from a goose's back. He snarls and flexes his undead muscles, loosening the chain from Jurin's wrists so he has the full flexibility to flail it in attack. Immediately seizing the opening, Illiam pours his potion of Cure Light Wounds down Jurin's throat.
Immediately upon the potion hitting his belly, Jurin fires fully into consciousness, and screams, seeing the massive, half-orc, stone-warrior Goruck standing over him menacingly with an axe. is all the child can get out before succumbing to the shock of the situation and falling limp into Illiam's invisible arms. Illiam swiftly drags the boy as far as his little legs will carry him, just on the other side of the stalagmite from Sarenrae's chosen priest.
Meanwhile Kerrdremak spurs his warriors to filter into the cavern at the rear of Hollow's heroes, acting as a rear guard. Gurtlekrep follows along as well.
While the hectic movement of bodies takes place in the hallway, Edgrin Galesong, with a serenity that escapes reason, pulls a small pan flute from his belt and plays a rousing Varisian war song. Chillel, Dolok, Kairon, and Illiam (even though his face is still invisible) all turn and look at him with an expression that says, "are you fully insane?! What are you doing playing music at a time like this?!" But, as the music washes over them, they suddenly feel just a bit stronger, just a bit faster, just a bit braver, and just a bit more confident.
Grinning beneath his mask, Goruck sheathes his axe before grabbing the chain near the weakened link of the damnation chain. "I am Goruck of the Stone, and I am your slayer beast." Roaring with exertion, he pulls with all his strength.
The Forge Spurned, witnessing the final moments of its existence on the Material Plane, swings its hammer awkwardly, over-committing to the blow, and Goruck easily leans aside as it whiffs past him.
With a mighty, defiant roar, completely ignoring the pain of the red-hot chain, Goruck stretches his muscles taut, breathing in the sulfuric air in a giant gulp, momentarily unfazed by its toxic effects. He pulls, single-minded, his biceps bulging through his newly acquired mithral armor, and hears the satisfying metallic snap of the link he previously gouged with Glintaxe. Without warning, there is a great gout of white flame that explodes out of the forge furnace behind the dwarf, a blast so radiant that even the kobolds guarding the rear of the cavern corridor see the flash of light and feel the intense heat. Then, just as swiftly as it exploded out, the flame recedes, and as it does so the air is filled with an unholy wail A miserable howl from the Forge Spurned as it goes to its eternal torment in the Plane of Fire. As the smoke-bearded dwarf is extinguished, so too is the fire in his forge, leaving the room feeling cold, dry, and dark. By the light of Dolok's dancing torches, Goruck can be seen momentarily hunched over, holding the broken chain in his hands, one hand still gripping the straps of his shield, breathing slowly, rhythmically, and were his mask removed, and anyone close enough to see, they would see the half-orc's wide, joyous grin.
He collects himself and turns to where Jurin was dragged by their invisible halfing conjurer and says, more a statement than a question: "He's all right?"
I think Jurin lives Goruck.says Chillel as she passes. Chillel then looks around to see if Kairon is heading towards the ailing Jurin as she continues towards the crevasse leading down, which she proceeds to inspect when close enough.
Kerrdremak makes his way up to where the Forge Spurned was so summarily dispatched, and after grasping Goruck's hand in a sign of friendship and thanks, he moves over to where Chillel is looking down the crevasse that leads to the kobold warrens below. It is a fairly straight fifteen foot shaft, with occasional handholds, but it drops directly into darkness. Chillel calls up some magical light and moves it down the shaft to see that the floor below has many tall stalagmites spaced throughout. As they stare down into the abyss Kerrdremak says, "It seems to me, if we could secure that chain," he points at the mostly intact chain left by the deceased Forge Spurned, "with a piton of some kind, we could use it to make the descent quite a bit easier. If you wish, I'll send my warriors down first to see if Reglos, that's what the Gargoyle calls himself, and his Dire Bat companion are at home. The other option, of course, is for myself, and one of my warriors to go down the elevator shaft, to attempt to put the ambushers there at ease. Someone with some knowledge of engineering would need to fix the mechanical elements of the elevator before that happens though, as they've rigged it to collapse under pressure of too much weight."
Moving in to the large forge chamber, having stopped his musical interlude moments ago, Edgrin takes a glance at the still unconscious Jurin Kreed and says, "What are we going to do about him, now? Sure as dragon-scales we can't take him with us?
After Goruck's swift dispatch of the forge spurned, Kairon offers a noncommittal grunt to the empty space it once occupied. Well. That was easy going.
Nice work, Illiam. You, too, Goruck.
He trundles over to where Jurin has collapsed, and gives him a quick examination while Illiam scans the room and Chillel keeps watch on the crevice to the northeast.
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I have a piton, Illiam says, offering up his mundane piton rather than the newly-nonmagical stubborn nail, which he intends to re-enchant, but let's take a look at that elevator first. If we want my plan for dealing with your leaders to go as well as my plan for the Forge Spurned did, that way would be better.
Ignoring the twinge of pain as Kerrdremak shakes his hand, Goruck takes a moment to grab the broken link, inspecting it before lifting up the two fragments of chain and weaving them into his sash. A token of victory earned with hard work and quick wit.
Smiling, the swordsman dips his head. "Thank you my friend."
Producing his grappling hook, the massive half orc adds, "This may be a more steady way to descend, but let us trust Illiam."
Once we make sure the kid's alright, we'll see to gettin' 'im somewhere safe, Edgrin. But I gotta make sure 'e's okay, first -- even if he's Kreed's kid.
Wonder if the "Gavel"'ll have any change to his tune when we bring this lad back to the Hollow, safe and sound. I don't want 'is thanks, but seeing that stiff neck o' his bend a bit'd be worth a lot to me. . . . . And this may offer a good chance to talk t' Jurin about what that book's for . . . . Still -- more folks t' save. Focus.
Examining Jurin closely, Kairon realizes the child is in a panic-induced state of shock. Otherwise, he, thanks to Illiam's intellectual application of a great plan, and Goruck's flash of quietly miraculous heroics, is hale and hearty. Waking him up with so many strange people, not to mention kobolds, around might be a bad idea. If possible, it might be best to have Edgrin take him somewhere quiet to wake him up and calm him down, before moving him to a safer locale.
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Kerrdremak, why don't you show me this broken elevator?
Going back to the room with the elevator shaft, Illiam tries to assess how it's been tampered with.
Not immediately seeing the problem, Illiam spends more time inspecting it.
He then tries to work out a way to fix it.
Uncertain if his first attempt at a fix will hold, Illiam tries again...
...and is much more satisfied with his handiwork.
After a good twenty minutes of examination and tinkering, Illiam is able to undo the booby-trap left by the would-be kobold ambushers who no doubt lurk below with weapons at the ready, hoping some foolish pink-skins will drop hard to the floor and make easy targets.
Kerrdremak and four of his retinue get onto the elevator platform and start lowering themselves to the bottom. Those close to the shaft hear a mumbled draconic conversation, that is, at moments, somewhat heated, but, after a few minutes, Kerrdremak's voice carries up through the shaft. "Come down, all is safe."
As the group is pulling the elevator platform back up to start loading people on it, Edgrin pipes up with another reminder about Jurin. "Oy! What we gonna do with the lad here?! No way he's goin' t' wanna go back down where he just escaped from?"
While Kerrdremak and his kobolds are on the elevator, Chillel walks over to Edgrin, saying:-
Could you take the young man back to where we hid the other children Edgrin?
Chillel then says to Illaim:-
Is that as mended as it looks Illiam?
We'll be with ya in a few minutes, Kerrdremak. Hold steady for us. He turns back to the team and asks, quietly: How do we wanna do this? 'Cause runnin' 'im up to the room with the others is the best, but we need to keep an eye on our . . . "buddies", right?.
. . . . It may just be better for all of us to run 'im up there and then come back to Kerrdremak. Whatchy'all wanna do?
I am not certain that is needed. But I am not sure it isn't either. I am happy do as you suggest. Despite her words Chillel looks somewhat worried and distracted.
"Yeah, we can't bring him with us. But are you saying we all need to go to take him up there?" ... Looking around ... "Chillel? You okay?"
Sounds good, Illiam. Watch out fer yerself, and run if ya gotta. We'll be back quick.
Kairon mutters to himself about needing to have a stretcher in his kit as he helps carry Jurin back upstairs to the 'safe room'.
[/b] ... Looking around ... "Chillel? You okay?"
... I am fine. The ... responsibility of having these children's lives depending on me is worrying. We are making progress however. With that Chillel smiles, then moves to assist Kairon carrying Jurin upstairs, adding One more kid rescued Kairon. We are getting there.
As they hustle to get Jurin reunited with the other three younglings, Kairon replies to Chillel: I know! Four found, one to go! And we need to be quick about it, 'cause if we can save Edgrin's friend, too, we'll have pulled it off the best we could! His smile is bright, though tinged with concern and a measure of doubt. Grant us speed and strength, Bright One. Help us be Your swift and sure sword to save as many as need it.
Edgrin follows the group as they double-time it back to the surface level of the monastery. When they are getting ready to depart, Jurin still resting unconscious, and staving off Kimi's questions about what's going on below, he grabs Kairon's arm and says, "I'm going to stay here with the children. You all can clearly handle yourselves." He nods at Goruck specifically as he speaks. "And I don't want Jurin waking up in another strange place without a familiar adult around." He then pulls Kairon's arm down, so that his face is closer to his own and whispers, "If there is any chance to save Tyran, I know you will. If there is no chance to save him..." His eyes begin to water and he hesitates for just a moment. Please don't let those filthy beasts desecrate his body." He wipes a tear from each eye, and then lets Kairon go back down into the darkness.
Once everyone has collected at the bottom of the elevator, and Dolok has maneuvered his dancing lights so everyone can see, it is easy to notice that the two slurk-riding Kobold's who set the ambush are both veteran warriors, and also, quite obviously not at all happy about being told by Kerrdremak to "stand down." For some, getting their first look at the slurks is extremely off-putting. They are huge toad-like beasts, with bulbous drippy eyes. Their flesh exudes a sticky mucus from every pore, and they have massive top-jaw tusks, much like a walrus, protruding out and down, ending in sharp points. Perhaps it is their sticky mucus that allows them to cling to the walls with ease, for that is what they do, flanking the group on either side. Their saddled riders grip their nocked shortbows tightly, looking grim, determined, and ready to strike at the least provocation. One slurk whips out a disgustingly long forked tongue to lick its watery eyeball, causing some a moment of repugnant revulsion.
Taking a moment to examine the chamber reveals a mostly square chamber. A doorway opens in one wall, to what is obviously an old cold-storage cellar from the dwarven monastery's heyday. Crates and barrels, many of them smashed to splinters, litter the old ice-box, and nothing else of note is immediately apparent. Two other walls, to the north and northeast, have been broken through from the outside. Cramped, narrow tunnels beckon from beyond the breached walls.
Kerrdremak points to the chamber the northeast and says, "That's the way to the mines, and the quickest access to the corridors and chambers that will lead to Merlokrep and his counselors." Kerrdremak spits as he says this last.
Dolok casts Detect Magic and looks into 'cold' room and then looks around the room we are in.
Then listening to Kerrdremak and looking at the map that was drawn before, "Would it not be shorter to go straight North first and then east?"
Dolok sees nothing that sets off his magical senses in either this room or the adjoining.
Kerrdremak looks at Dolok and says, "Shorter in distance, but through that way we'll encounter more than one full contingent of warriors who are loyal to Merlokrep, loyal to the death. They will not stand down for me, or anyone." He then walks up to Dolok, and whispers to him, "The only reason these two here aren't attacking now is because I told them you all killed the Forge Spurned upstairs, and they're half afraid."
Taking an appreciative note of the kobolds' use of the slurks, the swordsman dips his head towards the drawn bows. Conquering a beast for the good of the people is something admirable. Forming such a bond with said creatures shows their warrior spirit. I am grateful I did not have to slay such worthy combatants.
As Kerrdremak mentions the Forge Spurned, Goruck runs a stony hand across the chain wrapped around his sash. Mementos of battle well fought, each a lesson to be remembered for the price it cost. Out loud, the massive half orc rumbles, "Let us save our sword arms where we can. The sharpest blades dull with enough use."
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Illiam takes Kerdremak aside to speak to him privately. Putting his hand on the kobold's shoulder and looking him straight in the eye, Illiam says This plan doesn't work if you cower and hide from your people. For this to work, you have to lead the way, bravely, and trust us to back you up. Say we do manage to avoid your king's forces. If we go around your people to reach Merlokrep, then slay him, and your people find out about it only after, they will see you as a regicidal traitor. That's not what any of us want. You need to face those who stand between us and your king. Without a show of strength NOW, they won't accept you as a new leader later. Those who join will strengthen your cause, and those who don't, but are bested along the way will at least respect you for it.
As Kerdremak considers this, Illiam looks and listens for any hint of what faces them down each of the paths.
He also checks the room to the east for anything that might be of use to them.
Kerrdremak takes in all of Illiam's pointed words, and looks down both of the paths ahead. The path north is, of course, the more direct, and if Merlokrep is destined to die in their coup, he must, as Illiam says, show strength now, so that should he rule afterwards, his rule starts with strength. Convinced, he looks at the group and says, "If you desire to go the most direct route, and to take Merlokrep's veteran forces head on, I will lead you that way. The halfling is right, if I'm to rule in strength, I must begin that rule in strength."
As Illiam thoroughly examines the old cold-storage room for anything useful, he suddenly pulls up short and holds up a closed fist asking for silence from his comrades. Breathing? Could it be? Something is taking disturbed shallow breaths. Something is hiding in the ruins. Illiam locates the sound of the breathing and moves aside the detritus that was covering it. It is a hideous, vaguely humanoid creature with a slick grey skin, extremely long limbs, feet that have three clawed toes, and hands that look like slimy tentacles. The creature is barely conscious, and looks up at Illiam with cloudy black eyes that seem not to truly engage in the present reality.
Staring at the unnatural creature, Goruck remembers wisdom the elders taught him what seems like eternities ago. "That beast is a choker." Sharing details as he moves to inspect the beast, the half orc keeps a hand on his reclaimed axe. "This one looks poorly off, but the specifics of it's life are lost on my simple mind. Kairon?" The swordsman's tone asks for aid.