In addition to his spellbook, Millorn has two potions, two scrolls, a rather fine cloak, a dagger, a crossbow with 10 bolts, a small pack filled with dried meat, preserved fruit and moldy cheese and a small chipped statue of a man throwing a spear.
A steeply inclined tunnel leads upwards to the north, its walls lined with numerous nooks, handholds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven into the walls long ago.
Verim places his shield upon his back and short sword in it's sheath. He looks at the tunnel and begins he ascent "Well we came to go up, lets get to climbin'! He says moving up leading the way.
After climbing up the tunnel, a height of approximately 60', you find yourselves in another long tunnel. It takes approximately 30 minutes to traverse this tunnel.
The tunnel opens into a large cavern, about 70 feet across. Cylindrical rock formations along the walls arch up to make a domelike chamber, but the walls and floors are riddled with cracks. At the center of the cave, a stone tower that may have once reached the fifty-foot high ceiling has collapsed onto its side.
Before embarking Tallina smells the packet of dried meat and grimaces. Looking sadly upon the dried fruit and moldy cheese she throws some maggot meat in the pot near the fire. In exchange she will grab the fine cloak.
I've been needing a replacement for this one for a while now. No better time than the present.
"Now that's a sight. What could have made such a tower collapse?"
Verim takes point a little winded, sweat beading his forehead as he places his shield up again and walks forward looking around " Down here? Anything from the ground opening up or some rocks, vermin, big beasties or crazies like that dwarf from before "
Tobongo takes a look around.
Luci kept her eyes peeled as they moved forward, though kept thinking back to that statue the dwarf had of the spearthrower.
"Can i have a look at those things? Maybe there are inscriptions on the cloak and statue, that would be cool. One of my dwarven classmates likes history."
Potions: cure light wounds, invisibility
Scrolls: shocking grast, resist energy
Cloak: resistance +1
In the gloom ahead you hear murmuring voices, two misshapen figures are digging in the ruins of the tower.
Mia looks at the potions, comparing one to the ones she had found before she smiles. She quietly pulls Laris' sleeve.
"Those potions, one is CLW and the other i've seen before as well. An invisibility potion."
Feeling and carefully inspecting the cloak she smiles.
"People, this mantle is a goody. See these details on its design? It's a cloak of resistance...potency 1 by the looks of it."
Should anybody look at her funny for it, she'd shrug her shoulders holding up her hands, with big eyes for the "innocent" effect.
"Wha.....my homecity Nerosyan (capital of Mendev) is a very diverse place,..as are classes."
Laris takes a moment to look at Mia properly
"Verim, you're the one most like to take a beating, you want to hold onto the healing potion? Mia why don't you take the other potion, if we run into more trouble than we can handle you may be able to drink it and find safety... Tallina do you want the cloak?"
Looking at the cloak in her hands she shrugs her shoulders before dropping her old one and putting on the new one. To those who caught a glimpse underneath her heavier cloak she wears a simple off-white shirt with some dirt still on it and a pair of baggy pants held up by a belt.
"I've been needing a new cloak lately, the old one has some holes in it and I've worn it thin so it doesn't protect as much from the elements."
I just hope this one has its own uses. On second thought I should hold on to the old cloak in case I need a bandage.
Slightly embarrassed she picks up the old cloak and folds it before putting it in her pack.
"We might need some more bandage material, you never know."
Laris takes a moment to look at Mia properly Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Gulp......
Erm.....i think my enthusiasm might have gotten the better of me...Laris:
Though the little figure looks childish and she may still be, some features strike you as off. A lock of hair isn't smooth and reveals slightly pointed ear. The shape of the face is also less round and refined than children with her 1st appearance would have.
A little prying now and then........
Verim nods to the suggestion of him receiving the potion. It made the most sense. Mia's knowledge continued to amaze him, are children nowadays much smart than he generation was? Maybe she was destined to be a wizard in the future?
Verim places his hand up to quiet everyone after their statements and points out the two misshapen creatures ahead with voices to match. And then whispers, " Are those the children that have become corrupt? I cannot tell if they are teifling or not. Should we help them? Either way we should approach with caution"
Not looking up, as people were starting to inspect her more closely, Mia just looked ahead.
"They just look different. That doesn't mean they are evil.
An important cityperson taking money from thugs is more corrupt, these look unlucky to me.
If they are family of the crusader people, they should understand common."
Verim nods to Mia, not much different than his normal disposition towards her; he seemed impressed about something. " Your right Mia, rather normal or not does not mean they are corrupt. That is a good position to think from and ensures you'll make a upstanding woman in the future. Your parents must have taught you well. I am simply wary after our last encounter with a strange individual and my armor has the scars from that meeting not long ago. Let's hope these creatures don't hit anywhere near as hard. " Verim begins moving their direction his shield held to protect his vitals a simple wink back to the rest of his allies.
" Hail, Friends? "
My parents....it's a pity i remember so little now.
......it seems my cover can't be upheld for much longer. Not surprising, there's no time to do it perfectly under these circumstances.......
Eyeing the misshapen figures Tallina whispers towards the others.
"I wonder what they could be digging for? Perhaps lost treasure, or forgotten secrets of old. It would be best if they did, once nature takes its toll some things are lost forever."
She readies her shield just in case, her club raised across the back of her neck in case things get ugly, well uglier.
Hearing the conversation behind them, both individuals whip around, hands going to spears. From where they were digging you hear a low moan.
The taller of the two speaks, a man whose features combine those of an elf, a lizardman and a goat, speaks as he assumes a defensive stance. Who is there? Show yourselves.
Mia speaks up in elven, hoping it will sound more appeasing to him.
Her little bird making happy tjirps, hoping to ease the tension.
"Erm, hello. Me and the adults have come from above. We are visitors to the city above. The city was hit by an earthquake and it made a really big hole in the earth. We fell down and ended up in the caverns.
We mean no harm...even though grownups can be a little scary.
Who are you sir?"
If for any reason he doesn't understand elven, this will be repeated in common.
Laris puts away her weapons and steps forwards, though Mia seems to be doing a good enough job of speaking for now.
Verim speaks to them as well " Whoa Whoa, lets not get hasty, we just had to fight a magic man and some awful bugs to get this far, I rather not have to fight the few things that might be able to talk intelligently. My name is Verim of the Pharae Lands; Crusader for Mendev, Defender of the Weak, Follower of Arqueros. and from the sounds of it.. Someone is hurt.. do YOU need assistance? "
Walking forward with no worry of retaliation given the circumstances, Maxwell scoffs as he approaches the group. "Maxwell Lionheart. Nothing else matters and titles aren't going to get me anywhere." he points out as he walks with his flail towards them. Raising his hand, a soothing, yet dark energy arrives on his hand. "Point me towards the injured and I'll do what I can to heal them. I want no bloodshed, and we only want out of this cavern." he points out.
Elven/common if needed:
"Like mr. Maxwell here. He's moody, but not a bad man."
Mia nods politely.
This sort of behavior would have earned you an ass handling out of the shop with my adoptive mom.
Verim chuckles " That's right, our Prince of Darkness is gentle as a bunny. If he wants to cure you but acts abrasive.. he clearly likes you. " assuring them with his joking tone.
"I hope you weren't including me in that 'little scary' description." Luci joked, not realising her smile was making her fangs a bit too visible.
Hang on, Luci thought to herself, something seems off about her... she almost looks more like a... but then why would she be wearing shoes?
The deformed man straightens up at Mia's words, If your intentions are ill, we ask you to move on and leave us in peace. If they are good, then perhaps you can help. As you can see, misfortune has befallen us.
As he gestures back towards the fallen tower you can see the trapped form of a third man, along with several bodies. The man groans in pain as the slab of stone pinning him settles.
"And help we shall" he says as he goes to assist them with the rubble, gesturing the group to come and assist. Kneeling down he looks at the man who's pinned, and stares at the situation. "Good man, are you hurt, or merely pinned?" he asks.
Verim places his shield emblazoned with Arqueros' Gauntlet and Briars upon his back and starts lifting with his legs as hard as he can to get the man free.
" Lets see if I can get this going, Might need a little help. Get ready to move him once the slab gives us a bit of room. "
Verim gives two great heaves before thinking it better to try at once.
Tallina knows that the others are stronger than her, so instead of aiding with the heavy lifting, she will instead wait for the stone to be moved so she can pull out the elf...lizard... thing. She offers her hand to the injured man.
"I'm here to help, when the stone gets pushed up grab my hand and I'll pull you out. Ready?
Tallina takes a look back at the other two men.
"Mind giving me a hand here? Your friend could certainly use it."
Luci quickly moved to help Verim, she wasn't sure how strong Maxwell was but knew that she was plenty strong (as more than a few customers to her father's carpentry shop could attest, with most of her help there consisting of loading furniture onto wagons or hauling the lumber around).
Mia tries to help the others.
Laris thinks better of trying to sing something legible while heaving a stone column, she begins to hum and soft tune, that insinuates itself into the bodies of those around, strengthening them.
If they don't manage to move it, Laris will add her strangth to heaving the heavy stone, she's stronger than she looks.
As you attempt to lift the stone slab, it shifts crushing the trapped man before you manage to tip it to one side and free him.
While seriously injured and unconscious, the man is still alive, for now.
Verim stretches him arm a bit as he with the help of the other lift the great slab, but he hears ones snapping and in great haste calls out " Anyone with healing magic.. Might want to use that NOW! I think his kidney popped out.. "
"I've got him, no worries."
A few words in that strange language and the healing magic flows from her fingertips to the man.
As Tallina works her magic, the injured man gasps and jerks back into consciousness. Though still battered by his near brush with death, he is able to stagger to his feet with the assistance of his companions.
The elf/lizardman who initially greeted the party steps forward to shake Verims hand, his scales dry and rasping. I thank you for your assistance good sir. I do not know why you have entered our realm but you are welcome. Is there any way I can be of assistance?
Hearing the conversation, Aravanshnial staggers forward, carefully feeling his way as he approaches, There are truly people living down here? Is it true, are you the children of the First Crusade?
Verim grits his teeth at the elf/lizardman's grasp but pulls him into a brotherly hug followed by a comrades grip both of their elbows bent upwards at the chest. He squeezes hard and smiles starting to laugh. " I'm sure you have the upper-hand in many an arm-wrestling contest with a grip like this? As we said, we fell from above, What we didn't say was it was from a demon attack. I'm escorting my comrades back to the surface so that we may Join the fight. Its good to see the blood of the First Crusade hasn't grown weak then! A fellow brother! If I could get some food and drink in my me and a warm bed I would be most happy.. and directions if you have them"
I am known as Lann, and I apologize for our wariness, there are many dangers down here. After pausing for a minute Lann continues, Demon's are attacking above? Our tower fell during the earthquakes yesterday. With our post destroyed we will be returning to Neatholm to report. You may accompany us if you wish. The mongrelmen know of ways to reach the surface world.
Leading the party through the tunnels, you eventually reach another large cavern, this one split by a chasm nearly 70' long, though only 10' wide. A narrow ledge around the chasm looks as though it may be wide enough to carefully navigate. The bottom of the chasm can be dimly seen in the shadow's of Maxwell's light about 30' below.
Studying the chasm, Lann and the other two mongrelmen appear worried. This was not here before. The quakes have wrought serious damage on the caverns. We can only hope Neatholm has survived.
Tallina looks at the chasm and whistles in awe of the damage caused by the earthquake.
"Surely with no spanning edges or bridge how will we... Wait, I forgot. I know how to get across."
Tallina rummages through her pack and pulls out the silver dragon scale.
I knew it was in there, I will have to get this turned into a belt buckle or something so I can easily access it.
"So Neatholm is your town?"
Verim nods listening to the man's rendition, slapping him on the back in a friendly matter and engaging in talk as if Lann were no different than any other Caydenite. When they finally approach a 'fork' in the road, hes seems to have the same Idea as Tallina.
" Nice thinking Earth Mother! With that scale we can have someone float over with a little push, give them some rope and set up a bridge along that edge. For the blind, impaired, or particularly bag at balance have them carry that person across, then use the wall to guide the last person them over with no issue.
Unfortunately I forgot to bring rope myself. otherwise it would be a good plan, one person on that side to hold it, one on this side, and the ferry in between. Might have to rely on brute strength then. "
Verim seems to say nonchalantly, showing he uses his brain for other things than witty names and remarks.
Tallina sighs at the plan, while simple it might save some time from her own.
"That or I go across, and we anchor ropes descending into the chasm on both sides. It is probably safer than a bridge, Tobongo can carry injured people up and down much faster than we can safely move people over an improptu rope bridge."
Navigating the chasm via levitation and using ropes to lower and lift the injured poses little difficulty. As the mongrelmen lead you down the next tunnel, they start to become nervous. Eventually Lann offers the group a warning. We rarely travel this route, the cave ahead is inhabited by a spore cougher. With your assistance, we should be able to kill it. Or, perhaps, we will be lucky and it will be hunting elsewhere.
It is a basidirond.
Laris has never heard of a Spore Cougher before, she looks around at the others for any recognition.