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When Thaia clacks her rifle, the gillman eyes it warily. "...I apologize. You are right, of course. Civility is...important."
You get the idea that your superior numbers and Thaia's intimidating presence have cowed him, at least momentarily...if you have any requests, demands, or questions for him, now is the time.
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The gillman carefully reads Gratus's lips, then nods. "This site is sacred to my people," he says, looking at all of you. "Our seers and oracles come to listen to the pure waters of the spring here and receive visions. It was once sacred to Aroden, your dead human god--did you see the carvings in the antechamber? They depict stories he is said to have told. But they are worn by time now, despite not being exposed to the weather, and soon I imagine the influence of that deity will have faded completely."
He hesitates slightly, then adds, "You are not the only interlopers in these caves--other creatures have begun to make incursions into the side caverns, so if you would view them you will have to be wary. My people have been careful to avoid drawing their notice on our pilgrimages."
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"Creatures not worth the name 'lout' at all," the gillman says dryly, making a small gesture to indicate that he's not interested in Benny's apple. "I've heard rumors that a group of foul undead roost down that passageway, though I've no idea where they come from; down the other, some foul lizard creatures of the deep have burrowed in." He hesitates briefly, then adds to Lhunk, "If you would be of use to my people, destroy those abominations. You may be rude, but I begin to believe that you at least mean well. Now, if there's nothing else, I wish to continue my meditation in peace."
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"I'm for clearing them out. The Society might want to send more people out. I'd rather not send them into a surprise fight. "
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"Right. Lhunk you can built the gill-folk a small figurine castle, or get them a hollow log to live in when we get back."
Thaia flips a silver sovereign. It's no good advertising to any thieves--koff-Bennybecks-koff in the party.
"And which does one find this way?" She indicated the eastern passage with a nod of her head.
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"...The Dead," the gillman says, impassively watching you all debate. "Do as you will with that information. Now, please--leave me to my meditations." Your conversation has been going on for several minutes now, and he seems to be growing less impressed by the threat of violence. Turning, he goes to sit at the water's edge once more.
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The passage to the east winds for several minutes, and the air becomes increasingly damp and stale as you travel away from the scowling gillman. As you come round a bend, the stench of decay becomes obvious, and Benny, moving ahead of the group, spots a body lying face-down in the shadows ahead. As he creeps toward it, he first hears and then sees four other bodies, these mobile: desiccated skeletons, shambling about the room. They seem not to have noticed him yet.
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Lissaya barely restrains her impatience. "Yeah. Do it already" she says to the caster
-Posted with Wayfinder
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As everyone draws their weapons, Gratus summons a celestial dog into the room ahead. It lunges at the nearest skeleton, tearing its legs from under it--the creature collapses to the ground!
Initiative
Gunter, Francis, Lhunk<----
Skeletons (can't act now)
Gratus, Benny, Lissaya, Thaia<----
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As your team charges into the cavern, Benny smacks the nearest skeleton with his mace and the dog Gratus summoned brings it down. The other fighters have occupied the room, while Gunter and Gratus hang back and Francis and Thaia lurk in the doorway.
As the skeletons--now reduced to half their number--turn toward you, Gunter, Francis, and Lhunk spring into action!
Initiative
Gunter, Francis, Lhunk<----
Skeletons
Gratus, Benny, Lissaya, Thaia
Rhea looks at Gunter and scowls before flitting into the wall. She emerges, half out of the stone of the cavern wall, behind one of the Skeletons.
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Although the walking bones seem to resist the power of Lhunk's scythe, the sweeping blow is heavy enough on its own that it shatters the creature's spine and sends bones skipping across the cavern floor. The one remaining skeleton chatters its teeth and lunges at Lhunk with its bony claws. The sharpened nails of bone rake open a section of the big man's chest, leaving bloody wounds!
Initiative
Gunter, Lhunk
Skeletons
Francis, Gratus, Benny, Lissaya, Thaia<----