Its a strange sight to see a skeleton make a nearly full body twitch
"what?" the stone skeleton asks with an exasperated breath. His monkey companion still shudder in surprise at the unannounced visitor. The skeleton reaches a rag filled hand up to the opals in his skull wiping a small amount of grime from them.
And then the outsider returns
"Ah, so it wasnt a delusion. Good. Devour her. the petrified skeleton makes a sweeping motion and the steel headed spear he held expanded to exceptional length. The carpet of spiders crawling up the rod to rain down on the ariel angel.
" Cease. " the druid states roughly opal eyes pointed beams of hatred to the angel. The spiders seem to listen ,but the monkey on his shoulder seems to be making a rather rude gesture.
"Why are you here creature?"
Gathering up behind Sanriel is a massive quantity of spiders of all sizes, shapes, and natures. They are there to aid and support him from the perceived threat of the interloper.
A Coal Black bat, the size of a Great Horned Owl, flutters in an unsteady fashion into the cavern, from somewhere else or another place.
As it passes over the head of Sanriel a scrap of linen cloth is dropped into his outstretched hand and then the Bat disappears into a cloud of smoke.
Shivered is indisposed at this time. I have incorporated a new assistant as well as some additional assistance for yourself to accomplish the next tasking. They may not realize they are there to aid you in aiding myself. The Lady In Linen
Sanriel grasps the missive with between boney knuckles and reads with one eye on the intruder as the spider draw near. " Cease" the druid booms.
"Apparently this one is an ally. the druid states more to himself than for the spiders benefit.
" So for now we will put this on hold. My name is Sanriel, I assume the lady in linens has informed you of my locstion and told you to aid me in my task? If not I fail to see how you would have found me down here. Regardless before you arrive I was informed of a cavern ahead of us full of corpses. I wish to see his oddity for myself, we will discuss arrangements as we walk."
"Er... Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Much better than sending spiders at me. They tickle most uncomfortably." Illia floats well off the ground, not wanting to be anywhere near the spider swarms. Thus, she's leading the way by a fair bit.
A small white cat sat near the winged woman's foot. It licked one paw and then wandered off to inspect its new surroundings.
Something is rather strange about that cat. It's eyes glow a bit and it seems like it's skin doesn't quite fit right.
His presence was quite useful. Unfortunately his loyalty to his god made his disappearance inevitable.
Oh well. Anything I could do with him, I can do without him. It simply takes a bit longer.
And the skittering swarm of spiders stops, a sudden stillness as thousands upon thousands of eyes lock on the retreating creature with a single thought in mind.
Prey.
"That.. is not prey." the stone priest states as he points to the creature seizing control of the spiders more base instincts. He then swiftly turns to examine the winged woman "Keep your pet close Outsider few creatures in the dark would pass up a free meal. Even if devil blood is all they would get."
As Sanriel and Illia, along with the small feline 'corpse', move along the cavern; Sanriel still moving with purpose towards the unsuspecting Drow Caravan searching for a chest carried by it, and Illia going along for the moment, having found herself in a strange location after the conclusion of her previous adventures. Both moving towards new dangers and destinations in service to The Lady in Linen.
Meanwhile several new players are entering the field, guided by blind chance or fate, they would think. Never truly realizing the forces operating out of sight and perception that guided them, for now, to this location far below the world of trees, light, and greenery.
Ahead of Sanriel, Illia, and Cat still being guided by the spiders that have come at Sanriel's behest, is a battlescene.
As the three of them exit the large cavern they were in, and into a smaller one, there are some strange scents present. Both can notice (no rolls necessary in this case) what appears to be a wide (10 foot or so) trail of some sort. It would remind them of a snail or slug moving across stone. It goes across their path from left to right (or reverse hard to tell) from one side cavern into another. Just ahead as well are the remains of a battle or fight. There is evidence of more slime trails as well all across the scene.
What looks to be scorch marks from fires or blasts are on the walls and floors. Piles of dirty dark rags litter the place along with several sets of blacked leather armor and some assorted small leather pouches and carry sacks. There is evidence of flames and fires, in the scorch marks and blackened spots that adorn the floor and walls. No signs of any bodies are present at first examination. Some of the rags and armors look like they have been both ill used, poorly maintained, along with the exposure to the elements and the aftermath of the obvious confrontation.
Sounds can be heard from up ahead, voices, heading this way.
A light, though small, is like a beacon in the utter darkness of this nightmarish world hidden from the sun. The source of the light comes from a lantern of some form. A figure is searching through rags and pouches, searching for valuables, and muttering to himself as he sets a few things to one side to take with him.
The figure is hunched down and covered in a cloak, with his back to the newly arrived stone skeleton, the outsider and her pet, though he is still looking around periodically... Deserted battlefields fail to remain deserted for long, even in the underdark.
"a surfacer?" The stone boned druid asks to himself when the lantern first flashes. The monkey companion looking at him curiously and pointing to the distant light.
"Yes I assume we will find out his purpose soon. Though if we want to truely know we would need to move ahead of Grandmother spiders help. The surfacer will likely retreat with such a presence."
Sanriel drops into the stone vanishing in a near instant.
The sound of chitin on stone enters the cavern as the spiders approach closer and Sanriel slowly slides out of the earth behind the surface dweller with the lantern. About fifteen feet of distance separating them. A stone boned skeleton garbed in a fraying robe and many trinkets, great antlers curving from its skull and a skeletal monkey perched on one shoulder.
Hearing the click of the spider's chiten on the ground, he quickly sweeps the valuables his belt pouch, and turns grabbing up the lantern and pointing it toward the spider, but the edge of the beam catches the edge of the druid's robe.
Having failed to see the Siabrae rising from the ground, Jaduf slides his buckler onto his wrist and directs the beam directly into the dead thing's face since it is much closer than the gargantuan spider.
"Oh, Not even the dead rest below the surface." he grins, backing away and hoping that the thing is yet another shambling skeleton, and will be easily evaded... but his smile dies rather quickly when he registers the skeleton and his monkey pet. Swearing, and then backing away even more quickly. The shield on his arm glints oddly and beneath his cloak is a set of armor, so he is quite obviously a warrior, attempting to avoid the fight, while he is also reaching for something at his belt
The stone skeleton sighs with a smooth baritone, one hand going up to pat the monkey on his shoulder.
"A curious greeting human. I am Sanriel, I will make sure to put any I find back in their graves. Deep caverns do not often have visitors from the surface, I would ask if you saw what occurred here. Ah yes, and the spiders are my allies so you need not worry over them consuming you at the current moment. There was an Outsider and her pet that I was traveling with a moment ago, they may teleport in at any point as is their custom. I would inform you that harming them is a pleasure you are not permitted to indulge in."
"Surprisingly civil greeting down here to be certain..." he says smoothly, and he sets down his bullseye lantern, but he doesn't drop his guard for a moment. "I have no idea what occured here, to be honest I only arrived not that long ago."
He slips a vial into his palm as he calmly talks to the druidic skeleton, and notices the swarming blanket of spiders that seems to be flowing up right behind the skeleton.
Since Sanriel has excellent night vision, he can tell that the surface dweller that he is talking to is tall and thin, with a lithe grace to the way that he moves. The hair that he can see under the cowl of the man's cloak is dark and longer than usual for a warrior, and his eyes are dark and his skin is pale.
He keeps an eye out for the aforesaid outsider, truly hoping that the thing doesn't come up behind him. His eyes are darting around and his mind is working quickly, planning for the moment when he is going to have to fight his way away from this one sided situation...
"I have found in my travels that acting civilly to all those I meet makes obtaining information and goods easier than expending the power to ask their corpses the same questions." The druid states calmly as his monkey clambers to the other shoulder peering at the human being in front of it.
"It is unfortunate you do not know more, though I do see a lucrative opportunity in your future such as it is. Through one measure or another you have survived the journey here, I can only assume you are a fair warrior yourself what with that light of yours attracting every manner of hunter down here. Until recently I was in company of several... Unique Individuals employed to obtain an object. They vanished though, so I find myself understaffed for the task ahead. I will be ambushing a caravan. I would offer a share of what spoils are not already claimed by my employer were you interested. there would be potential for other work depending on the skill you demonstrate."
the druid offers diplomatically
The lantern's light had caught the attention of other foul denizens of the underworld, not merely the petrified druid and his companions. Swooping trough the cavern came a small drake, his presence betrayed by a faint breeze in the still cavern air. It was rabbit sized, with coal black scales and tiny red eyes. But even those with perfect night-vision finds that its shape seems to melt out in the shadows cast by Jaduf's lantern (true-seeing does give a sharp image however!). It circles once at the very edge of the light, giving its bearer a curious long glance.
But when it settles down on a rocky outcrop it is the stony druid it focuses on. "Hisssssssssss" it greets him. It tilted its small horned head slightly to the side, clearly considering what to do. After a moment his outline grew sharp and it spoke. A creature of few words - it merely uttered a name it had been given, matching the description of what he saw! "Sssssanriel?"
Can't be too many of *those* running around... Fellian thought to himself. I wonder why he has a human. They are poor slaves ...
The stone druid turns the the drake "May I help you?"
I am going to be very glad when I no longer have to entertain such strange events. Negotiating with outsiders, aberrations and undead grates on my mind much as I know that this is the path which has most promise to bear fruit.
The small creature sits up on the rock. It bobs its head up-and-down in response to Sanriel's answer. "Missstressss said to find you - for Lady. Missstressss see with my eyes - missstressss will come!"
Bowing extravagantly to the druid and his pet. Jaduf laughs with a slight tinge to it, ”Well, good sir, I see that you are truly altruistic, seeing as though you obviously have the power to crush me with only a small amount of effort on your part. Lucrative opportunities are the reason that I have come this deep, though I did not originally think that I would delve this far down. Whilst I would not call myself a great warrior, I can certainly handle myself.
The inhabitants of this world are not used to light, and I have found a bull’s-eye lantern to be a great ally, though it is very dangerous to carry nonetheless. I will have to take you up on your generous offer. Jaduf turns his head left and right as if to try to pop his neck, as he adjusts his armor slightly, and lets his shield hang down by his side, but does not hang it on his belt, he is not by any means stupid enough to trust Sinriel unconditionally.
As the drake comes down and begins a conversation with Sinriel, Jaduf aims the bullseye lantern at it and then he does not begin to think he can possibly be more caught off guard. That skeleton has a momma-spider and a swarm of babies… And a bloody DRAGON! Jaduf’s face freezes and almost becomes a mask to hide his disbelief.
[dice=Knowledge: dungeoneering]1d20 + 9
For Sanriel:With that roll he can determine it is related to something like a Flail Snail or a Giant Slug, but almost like it has two wide splay like feet instead of a single giant movement methodSanriel drops into the stone vanishing in a near instant.
[dice=Stealth]1d20 + 21
The sound of chitin on stone enters the cavern as the spiders approach closer and Sanriel slowly slides out of the earth behind the surface dweller with the lantern. About fifteen feet of distance separating them. A stone boned skeleton garbed in a fraying robe and many trinkets, great antlers curving from its skull and a skeletal monkey perched on one shoulder.
A light, though small, is like a beacon in the utter darkness of this nightmarish world hidden from the sun. The source of the light comes from a lantern of some form. A figure is searching through rags and pouches, searching for valuables, and muttering to himself as he sets a few things to one side to take with him.
The figure is hunched down and covered in a cloak, with his back to the newly arrived stone skeleton, the outsider and her pet, though he is still looking around periodically... Deserted battlefields fail to remain deserted for long, even in the underdark.
1d20+7+3+2
He can certainly ascertain that there are sounds and movements heading towards him. from two different directions.
Treasure in the battlefield consists of
Dozen Iron Short Swords
3 MW Dark Iron Daggers
A Pair of MW Dark Iron Short Swords
A full set of Leather Armor (Fit a slender humanoid of about 100 pounds or so) Blackened
A Scroll Case, Leather, Light Scortch Marks on it
Total of about 10 Silver worth of coins
Illia- looks around a bit to see what has the spiders in an uproar and what Sanriel is talking about before she sees their attention is focused on Anaxian.
"Oh.. You meant Anaxian? Um... Sure, I'll try to remember that."
As Jaduf and Fellian enter the scene, Illia- is fairly passive. She had been assuming that her team would make up the bulk of this mission, and it's clear to see she's a bit unnerved by how many newcomers she has to trust. "Um... Hi.. I'm Illia-."
Sanriel bobs slightly to indicate he had heard the winged humanoid when she spoke and resumed shepherding his spiders, the druid considering the point made.
Sanriel nods to the human "You are of course welcome to leave as well, it would hardly do for me to force you into such a decision. Though were you to tip off the drow after and spoil my ambush I would have to find something sufficiently horrible to do to you. With that ominous sentence the druid turns and examines the creature lashed to the largest spider of the group. What appears to be a drow child conjoined with a fleshy plant and at least a dozen fifteen to twenty foot long tentacles
I would also warn you that this creature recently captivated one of my allies before they disappeared and I beat said tentacled siren unconscious. I intend to use it as a method to lead guards away from the caravan. When it awakens there is a chance you will be affected, you should attempt to avoid that. Plugging your nose would be easiest as it works by pheromones though that likely won't stop it entirely."
Sanriel gestures to the winged one who had just spoken "the outsider I mentioned."
With the introduction of Illia, Jaduf smiles and nods to her. Dismissing Sanriel's suggestion he should go off on his own, "Well, I think that heading my own way is less profitable than assisting you."
after hearing the warning about the fleshy creature, Jaduf raises an eyebrow and slices a small square off of his cloak and wraps it around his face like a mask.
For the love of the gods, this is the most strange group that can be gathered Reib thinks while he begins opening the end of a leather scroll case
Your support for my ruse is appreciated. It seems I need not keep it up long though. The creatures here are quite perceptive. I may need to improve on my disguise.
The cat tagged along at Ilia's heels, seemingly unconcerned with the flood of spiders or the oddness of its surroundings.
Or Worse
As the old acquaintenances, casual passerbyes, those that know of each other by reputation alone, all start to chat. The piles of rags and such are still sitting there. There is some illumination in here. Luminescent cave moss and lichen and such. Enough so that right here the human is not too inconvenienced. In other places of course that might not be such the case.
If everyone would mind making a Hearing Perception Roll (does not need to be too difficult) it would be appreciated.
Those with Dungeoneering or some sort of knowledge of underground races can make a Knowledge Check Roll it would also be appreciated.
Then a second Hearing Check (slightly more important this time is all)
In the middle of the conversation, Jaduf interrupts everyone Silence! he hisses as he hears something... What is that?
He quickly slams the front of the bullseye lantern shut and moves quickly away and crouches behind a rock or a piles of rags so that he may at least have a chance of being undetected by whatever is coming
The small drake hisses, tilts his head to the side and his outline turns blurred again. With no other visible threat present, it shuffled a bit to the side out of sight of the captured plant-thingy.
Betrayed by a flap of the wings, another creature appears in that cavern, as if she was spawned out of thin air a few feet above the ground.
Her leathery black wings flaps a couple of times aiding her slow descent to the ground.
Her purple eyes gaze upon the small gathering. A coupple of grey ram horns emerge under the cascade or raven hairs, forming an almost complete circle beside her head.
Over her forehead there is a diadem of ornate blackened metal with a big amethyst right at the center.
Her skin is pale, smooth and perfect, her long legs wrapped by thigh long boots of black leather.
On her neck there is a necklace, a quite simple chain of silver holding a black gemstone with purple reflections that seems to move and swirl on it's inside.
A Breastlate of mithril is sculpted to suggest the exquisite proportions it contributes to hide, while the rest of her form is barely covered by a loincloth of purple velvet.
On her belt, on one side is secured a wonderful rapier, while on the other side hangs a shield fashioned like a heart bound by a spiked chain.
Landing on the floor, the succubus looks at the fellowship in front of her.
"So... it appears we have quite a few new acquaintances. I am Delyliath, pleased to meet you..." she say studying her new companions.
For a moment, a thin slice of reality near the curious gathering was displaced. A door of wrought iron and tangled shadows took its place, swinging open on unseen and silent hinges. Out stepped a creature, clearly female in nature. Unlike the one that descended from the shadows just a moment earlier, the only one truly glad to lay eyes on this one where probably the small black drake. Her upper body were that of a drow, her lower body were of a spider - which made her something in between - a drider. Long white hair framed her face which might have been pretty once - but now a set of venom-dripping jaws ruined the image. She wore a black coat over a grey robe, both filled with pockets which in turn contained numerous sharp knives and needles of various sizes. The scientifically inclined (or those with an interest in Drow society) might recognize the attire as something a Fleshcrafter would wear. She carries a small bag in her hands that seem to be ... dripping.
"Greetings Sanriel!.. and others... The Lady said you could use an extra set of hands... But given your condition, I fear she didn't mean in a surgical way... *sigh*"
With a disappointed look, the drider tosses away the blood soaked bag she had been carrying.
This skeleton just twitched visibly on a being with no muscles or skin to betray emotions. its hands clenching slightly. The small ape skeleton on his shoulder didn't move behind his head out of fear of you all more that the petrified man is so obviously ready to kill that the ape doesn't want to be in the way of it. It does seem concentrated on the two creatures most recently arrived though. Then that towering rage in his frame is gone like a gout of flame vanishing into a coal seam.
The skeletal being pauses for a few seconds obviously adjusting to the most recent presences. The monkey previously on his shoulder leaping behind the mans stony skull hanging onto the antlers crowing the slate skull.
I knew the presence of such beings in these ventures a possibility. I will not fail in my best lead since I started on this venture because of one Demon or yet one more abomination. My purpose if purer than that, I will not break.
Glancing over the new arrivals Sanriel looks to Illia "Is this your full company or are we waiting for more?" The stone priest asks calmly before turning to address the newcomers
"And by your greeting to them I will assume that you one of Illia's companions. I am Sanriel speaker of many and currently Shepherd of spiders. If you two have arrived by word of the lady then you should have a basic idea what is to occur. Do you have any concerns you wish to air now?"
The drider took a moment to look and evaluate her companions before replying. A Succubus in high leather boots - for some reason it reminded her of a society she had long left behind. Quickly she switched to studying another subject. There was a winged woman of some sort, with feathered wings as she seen surface critters have. Very pretty wings... I wonder what I could do with them! Jhaelwyn gave Illia- a wide, appreciative smile before continuing her survey. A human! They were so wonderful blank slates, but ack so fragile. They had this annoying tendency to lose their minds if alterer too much. Still better then halflings! Then there was a cat. Of some sort. And lastly this stone skeleton called Sanriel. Wasn't quite sure of what to make of that one.
"I have no concerns that I wish to air now." the drider finally answers. After a long blank stare she fills in with "You may call me Jhaelwyn, for that is what is left of my name now." There was something else? Can't remember ...
From a nearby tunnel you hear a woman yelling. YELLING as it cuts through any conversation. it's common knowledge that this is simply not done in the underdark. Its far too easy to attract predators. Given the rarity of it in this place it's rather jarring and abrupt. It's distinctly possible that anyone who does has a death wish.
"ANAXIAN! ILLIA! WHERE THE BLOODY HELL HAVE YOU GOTTEN OFF TO?!?"
Anyone from the previous group will recognize the voice immediately and understand why the speaker is apparently unafraid for her life.
Illia- returns Jhaelwyn's smile and waves to her, but it doesn't take a sense motive check to see that this is the "concealing terror behind a false smile" smile.
"No, we've got two more..." Illia- comments just before Meredian yells. "One more."
Jhaelwyn winces when Meredian shouts. So LOUD! Why does it have to be so LOUD?! With a grimace she speaks. "One more? I hope that one is quieter..."
"Typically mercenary groups have a buffoon. I shall just have to hope the other one fills some other social niche. It isn't as though Jaduf's light hasn't achieved the same effect that idiots shouting did." Sanriel states roughly.
though what concerns me more than such idiocy is that creature just refereed to the Cat-shape shifter who I considered a moment ago to be an Imp by name. Meaning it has either somehow gotten leverage on a creature far its superior or it is something else entirely. It seems curious that a lesser outsider would maintain control in the presence of a thing as the succubus that just arrived. Were such weakness shown they would both be her slaves but neither demonstrates the signs. Curious. The stone priest says nothing as he looks into the darkness considering his new associates.
"His light didn't give me a headache ..." the Drider adds with a sour face. After some deliberation her expression smooths and she adds. "But it was quite obvious. Like a beacon. No wonder Fellian found you so quickly."
Upon hearing his name, the drake looks up and around. Seeing that no-one actually wanted anything, he goes back to what he had been doing for the last half minute or so - gnawing on the bloody bag.
Perception
A beautiful Drow woman walks around the corner. Her dress and appearance is everything you'd expect of a Drow female. Immaculate, gorgeous, and commanding. Though it's not really a travel outfit. its more the kind of thing you'd see at a royal social gathering, though still practical as is drow styling. Her face veil hangs to one side of her face. He clothing though nice seems out of place, though Meridian herself is unfazed. She wears a dagger and shortsword on her belt, but otherwise unarmed.
She surveys the new motley crew curiously then quirks a small half smile.
Turning to Illia, "My landings aren't quite as precise as yours. Pardon the rather droll need to call for you. Thank you for the assist."
Looking at each other creature in turn as she speaks, "I assure you I am no Buffoon. I simply have no need to fear of things that lurk in the dark."
In a different, more jovial tone she continues, "So what are we doing anyway? I hope we get to level another city. That was good fun."
"Concerns? Let's see... First of all, you should let me know in advance any instance where, confronted, you prefer squandering resources trying to destroying our opposition rather than subdue it in a less wasteful way. Some in our party" She looks at the stuffed cat "resented me being too efficient"
Then she offers a curious look at Sanriel
second concern... are you some kind of leader? Because you sure seem to act like one. I'm not necessarily objecting to that but, I'd like to know how your little fellowship used to work in our absence.
she seemindecisive to bring out a third point for a few moments, but finally she blurt
...and third. I really have no love for undeath. I can come to respect your kind as I did in the past, but count me againt any plan of turning vast masses of mortals into undead beings just for the sake of it. I won't deny the usefulness of an undead horde in certain cases, but it's a waste of mortal lives and souls that I don't gladly welcome.
Sanriel is somewhat glad for his nature as he rolls his no longer existent eyes at the drow. Such sarcasm would likely cost him in the face of such a creature, fortunate being it was impossible to detect.
"Right" The skeleton states blandly looking in the newly arrived drows direction. "I will assume you can fill the last of your group in as we move, I would prefer to not expend my allies on pointless combat." the druid states gesturing to the veritable horde of spiders following him. A funnel weaver the size of an elephant in back with what appears to be a humanoid child fused to a fleshy mass with tentacles coming off it. Said creature is unconscious and making the shallow breaths of one recently concussed to an inch of their life.
"I am Sanriel, Unnamed drow. I have been tasked with intercepting a Drow Caravan filled with various goods of value. One chest in particular interests our employer anything else we find is spoils. I had planned for no survivors as being the enemy of drow is a tiring affair. We are traveling to find where the Caravan is and determine a staging point for a proper ambush. I intended to create a cavern collapse and use the tentacled creatures spores to separate the majority of the guards from the Caravan itself. Mostly by hitting it until it decides to cooperate. and Then on getting what we require slaughter the caravan to the last and bury all proof of it in a mile deep chasm."
The druid states gesturing to the Abberation in question
"Though with the amount of help I have just been given I doubt the retrieval will be nearly as easy as that. I will change the plan as needed when we actually discover the caravan in question. the lady in Linen was frustratingly short on descriptions to the goal in question."
EDIT:
the skeletal one turns to the succubus after his exposition and reaches a hand up to block his companion from leaning closer to the Outsider
"I would appreciate if you restricted your nature to those deserving such as the majority of what we are likely to encounter down here. If I have some impossible to reconcile qualm with what you choose to do I will attempt to speak about it rather than turning to violence. I will say that creatures with their wills suppressed will eventually escape. If you seize its will I expect you to also be able to handle it if your powers somehow fail.
I was never made the 'Leader' of my group so to speak but my nature makes me suitable to such a position. I have lead beasts and humanoids before, and I am aware that without some force to guide its efforts collections such as ours often rip apart at the seams. But if you prefer to sully your hands with such a task as ensuring the forward motion of the group feel free to say so. Being the first target for blame is something I would love to pass on."
With that the druid looks to his monkey companion before turning back to the Succubus
"As to undead, while I will accept the presence of such creatures when they serve a purpose I have no interest in keeping them as pets. Animating the bones of the dead with echos of spirit is acceptable but to bind a spirit to the mortal coil beyond its intended span is something I have no intention of doing. "