"They blew up Mr. Leveton.... Is Svetlana alright?"
"Akiros, if this 'old man' is the healer, do you know what god he serves? Or does he heal through some other magic? And what sort of madness afflicts him?"
"We've never been formally introduced. But he's Gozren I think, or at least chooses to worship that god's more dangerous aspects, though I have heard that he once worshiped Erastil--he blames the Stag God for his wife's death. I've never gone to far into the cellar myself. It always feels like something is watching you down there."
"Well, then. I will prepare for Gozreh's wrath as best as I can."
Durgan uses his remaining Resist Energy , selecting Electricity.
"Let us go talk to this man."
"Oh!? Um, so anta moina ana ni." Erevenywg says and then smiles sweetly.
"They blew up Mr. Leveton.... Is Svetlana alright?"
"Her heart is broken, and the nobles will kick her out as soon as they get a chance." Scarlet's enthusiasm melts away as she gives a bitter reply. "She's alive, if that's what you're asking."
"Akiros, could you head to one of the camps? They know you. Tell them that the Stag Lord is dead, Salzarus has fled, and there is a reward for Salzarus alive, gagged, and bound. He can't have gotten far. Tell them to travel in groups, and the reward will be 100 gold each for a team of up to six. So they will not have as much reason to turn on each other."
Zokon goes down the steps, "You coming?" he says behind him
"Yeah yeah, wait a second Zokon." Scarlet goes after him to meet this crazy father.
Durgan joins the others.
"Ready."
There is a second stair down beneath a trapdoor beneath the stairs up to the northeast tower. The "door" more of a awkward rickety wooden cover as it just pulls off with the aid of two people, covers square framed dirt hole with set of stone steps leading down into the darkness. The walls are earthen framed by ancient wooden supports. Worm holes can be seen in the damp slimy walls. No light emanates from the stair down.
Durgan is happy to go in front with his Darkvision (and high AC). He does not have Light prepared today.
Scarlet also has Darkvision. "Wait, what race is Staggie's father? Can he see in the dark?"
Down into the darkness the party progresses.
Durgan whispers to Scarlet, "Something sounds like a child singing. A trick? Undead of some sort?"
He takes his holy symbol in hand, preparing to Channel if needed. Axe in the other hand.
Scarlet's long and short swords were already drawn, so she shrugs. "Should I light a torch, now?"
Alia casts Light on her Estoc, then moves down together with Zokon, smiling at him:"If there's trouble, I'll make sure you can see what your shooting - and try to stay out of your line of fire."
Alia's smile fades:"That...sounds creepy."
Victoria stays in the back. Maybe I should just stay outside, but I want to be helpful. And they might find some of my gear as well.
Victoria doesn't hear what the others are talking about, but Arris' sharp ears perk up, warning her of danger ahead. Maybe my ears are still ringing from the explosion.
Serena takes her place in line on the stairs. At the sound of the child's voice, she draws her blade.
"It's not that bad is it? It's on tune and all..." Illthir notes the singing as well. "The aucoustics in here are surprisingly good too..."
She didn't have much left to offer except a good whooping with her hammer, so she tried to stay close to the front. Not too close though - insane men throwing lightningbolts didn't make that too appealing.
Now that Alia has fixed the light issue, he steps forward not going beyond the light range, he has his rapier out
He moves forward 20 ft or so
"But let's just open the gate a little for Posh first!"
Posh is rapping against the gate with his fist, turning himself invisible to attempt to avoid the following slow horde.
"But let's just open the gate a little for Posh first!"Posh is rapping against the gate with his fist, turning himself invisible to attempt to avoid the following slow horde.
"Akiros, could you head to one of the camps? They know you. Tell them that the Stag Lord is dead, Salzarus has fled, and there is a reward for Salzarus alive, gagged, and bound. He can't have gotten far. Tell them to travel in groups, and the reward will be 100 gold each for a team of up to six. So they will not have as much reason to turn on each other."
"Aye. I'll tell them." he mounts one of the mangy horses and rides out.
Current Health Status (Pharmacy Theme ♬ | Live Version ♬)
_________________
__ Alia
__ Zokon
__ Serena -19 hp
__ Durgan
__ Scarlet -2 hp
__ Posh
__ Illthir -3 hp
__ Victoria
__ Arris -9 hp
__ Erevenywg
"Serena, do you have your own spells and healing left, or should I break out the wand?"
"Serena, do you have your own spells and healing left, or should I break out the wand?"
"If you have a spare, I could help with that." Posh grins before looking over the battlefield and looking over everyone "I hope the singing helped. I always feel I'm not being as helpful as I could do."
"I have some limited resources remaining, but the wand would no go unappreciated," Serena replies, looking over her wounds. Her chest hurt where the arrow that felled her still protruded.
"I'm well enough. Let's *brr* find this scary old man." Illthir tightens the grip of her hammer. She hadn't thought much of it but now that she was under ground again it reminded her of the kobold caves. And that was something she really just would like to continue to not think about.
"I'm more interested if everyone is safe, but that said who is this old man?" he looks around to find and follow Alia or Scarlet, assuming that the latter is with her.
The stairs lead down to older stone construction. This room feels miserably damp, and greasy swaths of mold cake the carved stone walls making their design unreadable through the filth. The ceiling fifteen feet overhead is thick with cobwebs. Three archways in the walls open into other rooms, all of which are filled with mounds of crates, furs, sacks, weapons, and other obviously stolen loot.
Durgan moves into the cellar and looks towards the northeast corner with his Darkvision.
Zokon waits for Alia as she has the light
"So choices three. Let's take the north path - it looks most cleared of debris." Illthir suggets and moves up behind Durgan. She did like standing behind dwarves - sufficient mass to be a barrier while short enough that the could see what was going on. Also this one had proved to be a dependable warrior and a cleric capable of banishing the undead. Great perks as far as the skald was concerned!
The northern-most tunnel peters out quickly. The mold-covered stone walls give way to bare earth, and evidence to long abandoned construction half hidden by boxes and barrels of supplies recently taken from passing caravans.
Serena follows the others down, giving Durgan his wand back.
"Maybe try that one," Victoria suggests, pointing to the east (or whatever direction that is right next to Durgan).
Durgan glances at the crates. "We'll take inventory later, and return what we can to the proper owners."
He moves and peers into the next room (east of his new position on the map - just moved him).
"Agree." Illthir gives a small nod and follows behind the dwarf.
"Maybe try that one," Victoria suggests, pointing to the east (or whatever direction that is right next to Durgan).
"I apologise for not introducing myself earlier, mlady." Posh bows to the woman with a smile "Maybe I should hold introductions until we have cleaned up this place?"
Something growls somewhere further ahead. Then, as if from nowhere a huge bear rears up out of the tunnel.
The bear roars in Durgan's face, rises and then slams its claws down narrowly missing the dwarf.
Round 1! (Theme ♬)
The Bold May Act!
_________________
__ Illthir
__ Scarlet
__ Durgan
__ Zokon
__ Posh
__ Alia
__ Serena
__ Da Bear!
"A bear?!" The skald called out in disbelief. Why the heck were there a bear down here?
"A brown bear! Don't let it grab you." Illthir added as if the coloration of the bear helped explain its presence. It really did not.
"It's too tight to fight it here - let's back up a bit so we can flank it!"
"Durgan! Get clear! I'll distract it!" Serena dashes forward to stand behind the dwarf, scimitar at the ready! She clangs her scimitar on her shield loudly.
"Get Victoria to do what she did to Beaky!"
Durgan takes a 5' step and uses Total Defense (AC 28).
"Oi. A bear?"
"Watch it, bears are faster and more agile than they look." Scarlet draws her longsword and shortsword.
How many dangerous animals are down here?
Victoria doesn't even need the dwarf to prompt her. She waves her hand and pronounces an arcane word.
"Looks like Papa Bear is pissed!" Posh smirked before he soon realised he had no performances left so he attempted to blind the creature with a spell.