The Pathfinders dash through the tunnels without a second thought - the route ahead of them leads through a maze of tight passages that include steep ascents and short climbs as they wind from west to east.
Pressing on, they can hear the sounds of a distant battle echoing through the caves, intermixed with inspirational tales of famous Pathfinders and the heroic deeds — certainly the raging fight between Janira and the minotaur. At a certain point, Janira’s words are sufficiently audible that they can feel their arcane inspired bolstering - they must be close!
However the path ahead is made of tight tunnels, ranging from 2 to 5 feet in width to about 9 feet in height. The slick floors and steady incline from west to east make the task of progressing further even more difficult, but their determination proves to be stronger than those meager obstacles, and the starlight from the surface world above provides a welcome reprieve from the blue and green fungus of the caverns below - light illuminates a stream whose water is hastened by runoff from a recent storm further up the mountains, and a ledge to the west rises up to the nearby forest canopy.
Dragging the creatures behind, you emerge from the caverns into a 40-foot clearing at the base of the Kortos Mounts. The full moon above provides dim light over the entire area, bright enough to illuminate a shaded leaf litter beneath the trees. These patches of woodland are filled with underbrush.
An about 3-foot-diameter tree truck spans the width of the stream ahead of you, creating an impromptu bridge, and the slope to the west gradually rises to a height of 20 feet.
From the cave’s entrance, and about 100' away, you see Janira... Still locked in combat with her relentless minotaur foe in a clearing on the southern bank of the stream - her voice is clearly audible - “You vile beast! I know not what drives your black heart, but I shall not fail in my duty. I shall see you driven from this forest, back to the hills from whence you came!”
Please me three squares west of Mors. Move due south 30 feet, drawing a dagger while moving.
The Pathfinders move forward as one, rushing to the aid of Janira as best as each of them can - Mors' roar catches the bard's attention, her face turning to look towards her would be saviors. Even in the dim moonlit night, her smile at seeing you is visible, as well as the fact that she is tired from fighting off the massive beast.
Taking a step back, her whip lashes, seemingly useless against the very bulk of the minotaur, but wrapping around one feet of the monster - then Janira pulls, but to no avail.
In response, it steps forward, swinging the brutal axe in a murderous downwards chop - he does seem somewhat hindered by the whip coils around his feet, the attack missing and smashing hard against a rock close by.
Brox's thrown dagger flies wide, ineffective mostly due to the distance to its intended target - glinting as it catches the moonlight, falling short and to the side. If the massive creature noticed it didn't show, as it continues to seem intent on murdering Janira, threatening her with a low, guttural growl - "You die"
No sense in stoppin' now...
Full round run from M10 to M22 Acrobatics to leap over the creek
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The companions rush across the open area, the moonlight reflecting off weapons and armor as they dash to help Janira - Brox and Thaddeus deftly make it across the stream, but Mors' jump doesn't take him as far as he would wish, the man landing squarely, knee deep in the murmuring brook.
Again stepping back, Janira reaches for her bag, retrieving and launching a small pack at the minotaur - as it hits the massive creature, it comes apart and goo bursts out, entangling her foe - the goo quickly begins to dry, seemingly becoming tough and resilient upon exposure to air.
Even covered in the fast drying mixture, the minotaur steps forward, dragging pieces of dirt, grass and small stones with its feet - "Your tricks will not save you! Neither your puny friends!" - he roars, swinging again.
The overhead chop hits Janira hard on the collarbone, opening a huge gash, from where blood spurts freely - her eyes glaze over, and the bard falls down like a rag doll. Surprisingly fast, the massive monstrosity reverts his grip on the axe, launching a powerful backswing at Brox, but the rogue is quick to react, nimbly dodging out of reach - "HAH! Now it's your turn small ones! She dead, and now YOU be dead too!" - the challenge is unmistakable.
Move action to draw weapons
Khaarg'ash un veich!!!
The scene is quite impressive - while Janira lies broken and bleeding on the ground, the adventurers prove why they belong in the ranks of the Pathfinders, deftly maneuvering around the battle area, flanking the monstrous creature from all sides, and hitting it hard.
Oohhh, hot it growled and roared - spittle flying in every direction as the minotaur eyed you all, his frame a mixture of pain, fear, and ANGER - "You no KILL RATHRAK! RATHRANK STRONGER than puny, weakling creatures!" - it shook its head, defiantly.
The massive axe descended towards Mors, all strength and no technique - it is undeniable the blow had enough power to sever through bone and armor, but it is off balance and poorly measured, flying wide. Surprisingly enough, the creature still managed to keep the weapon under control, swinging it in a wide arc to come bearing on Brox, only to miss again, leaving the bull man heaving for air.
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"Me, too," Mors responds to Thad as he weathers the attack.
"COME ON, BIG FELLA!" he yells back at the larger foe. "WE'LL SEE WHO'S LEFT STANDING!"
"All things considered, I'd rather not leave it to chance."
Thad follows up Mors' strike with a lunge from his spear, their attacks synced in a perfect rhythm - earned through history of battles fought and won together.
The massive minotaur is powerless to fight off the attacks from Mors and Thaddeus - the man steps to the right, and without hesitation swings his longsword stronger than any other 'puny weakling' the monster had ever encountered.
While his eyes were still registering the move, the sword had almost lopped off its left arm, the gash so deep it grated against bone. Dizzy from blood loss and fear, he could not feel Thaddeus' lethal blow as it punctured through the left lung, instead feeling only that his breath came more and more labored.
Looking down at his chest he understood then - he was dead. Before hitting the ground he knew the fight was lost. Rathrank felt small as he fell to his knees, the axe limply held in his left hand, now devoid of strength, grasping at the bloody sprout in his chest. It was over...
The clash of battle just seconds ago is replaced by a sickening thud, as the minotaur comes crashing down at your feet, quite dead.
Janira's eyes open to stare at all of you - her smile is almost immediate - "You boys... I knew my expectations were well placed" - and she even manages to wink.
Standing up, sore and in pain still, she thanks you all profusely and promises to both help you in future missions and submit a glowing recommendation for your heroism - "It has made a difference, and I don't care what others may think or say - it has made all the difference to ME" - she emphatically adds.
After praising your actions, she pauses in thought and eagerly inquires about what you have found in the caves, offering to lead your 'expedition' back to Absalom until she makes sure you are safely back at the Grand Lodge - once there, the Master of Scrolls Kreighton Shaine also inquires excitedly about what the you have found, asking to see your notes.
He compliments you all for being certain to write down ideas and observations while the thoughts are fresh, observing that it’s difficult enough to remember what one had for breakfast the day before as it is to recall exactly what one was thinking while studying an inscription.
As you all are now surely the foremost authorities on that cave and what it contains, Shaine also invites you to come up with a name for them - "What say you? I cannot think of a better 'Confirmation' for a group of younger Pathfinders" - he smiles.
Three days later, you are confirmed as full Pathfinder field agents. As part of the ceremony,you are gifted a personalized wayfinder, with the reminder that it is not only the symbol of the Pathfinder’s trade but also of their three principle duties: Explore, Report, and Cooperate!
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Mors is thankful when Janira wakes, quiet as they recount their exploration and reconnect with the gillman, and back to his old, blunt self on their trip back to the Lodge. When naming the cave comes up, Mors gives his usual shrug, ”I don’t know … somethin’ ta do with Aroden?”
Otherwise, he’s all ugly, thick-lipped, crooked smiles as he receives his Wayfinder, which he holds up briefly towards Janira. Then he looks over at Thaddeus and Brox, giving each a familiar (and rough) punch on the shoulder. ”My pockets are heavy. Ima go find somethin’ to spend it on … then see if I can go dig up some more trouble for the Society.”