Darius embraces a history of violence and lays into the Crusher.
Kia acknowledges Chary and shoots an an arrow at the slaver.
Despite her struggles to free herself from the net, Chary urges her companions on with some success. Tutavak and Kia both send arrows into their prey, but Darius is momentarily distracted by his cage of plants and misses the Crusher.
The Slaver sighs. "You're being very difficult. Still have it your own way."
Having run out of nets, he simply stabs Kia with his spear.
Tutavak lofts two more arrows, this time one sinking into the Crusher.
Tutavak's arrow offers a firm rebuttal to any notion of cooperation.
The Rambler sighs deeply. "If you're not going to be helpful about this, then we'll just be on our way. It's a pity, but there it is."
Dancing towards Arianwyn, it circles the warlock and heads for the northern exit.
"I do not think so."
Arianwyn fires a bolt of eldritch power at C2 and goes in pursuit.
The Crusher looks startled and just manages to say "Ow" before it falls.
Kia moves to fire off a magic arrow at the retreating rablmer.
"We'd better not let him warn anyone else or we could be fighting all day."
Kia picks her way through the unseasonable orchids blooming around Darius and unleashes a helpful arrow into the Rambler's hide.
"As you may have noticed, I am attempting to do just that," comments Arianwyn acidly.
Moving to S20, Darius brings the Eternal Rose's bounty to Chary and something much less pleasant to the remaining slaver.
BLODDIED 63 of 128 HP; 12 of 14 Surges
Initiative +8:
Passive Perception 24, Passive Insight 24;
AP: 0
Conditions: iEvil'd by C2 (-2 attacks and defences until end enc or target change)
Dailies: Boiling Cloud, Boiling Cloud Attack
Encounters: Wrathful Warrior, Earthstride, Mountain's Stature, Erupting Vines, Second Wind
The briar roses and thorned orchids surrounding Darius wrap themselves helpfully around Chary, masking the drow and restoring her with their rich scent. S2 sneezes violently as the pollen affects him adversely.
"You really are tiresome," it comments with resignation.
Chary tries to shift closer to the creature at Darius's suggestion, but as she is restrained, she cannot. On her turn, with no other options open to her, she lobs a dagger at the slaver.
Chary hurls an apathetic dagger and concentrates her efforts on breaking free of the netting. She does so just in time to see the slaver wince as Darius's portable bramble patch wraps itself around its ankle.
Shifting free, it looks thoughtfully at the other exit and heads away.
"Discretion, I feel, may be the better part of valour."
Tutavak thinks the Rambler looks to have suffered slightly worse wounds than the Slaver.
Tutavak sends an arrow directly into the slaver's back, near its heart. Spiritual flame engulfs Tutavak, Kia, and Chary before Tutavak launches two more arrows which fall short.
Tutavak's arrow lodges deep in the Slaver but doesn't kill the cyclops. "Was that necessary?," it asks rhetrically.
The Rambler wastes no further time but heads away at high speed. Not fast enough to avoid the vengeful eldritch blast emanating from Arianwyn's rod which catches it square between the shoulder blades and sends it thudding to the ground.
Quirking an eyebrow, the warlock turns back to Darius.
"Forgive the interruption to our most interesting dicussion. You were saying?"
"Right then." Kia switches to her sword, moves and then charges the remaining slaver.
"Slaving degrades people. Did you know that?" She informs the slaver as she clouts him.
Kia pelts across the cavern and opens a forthright discussion with the remaining cyclops.
Unable to fend off her blows, he seems more concerned with her argument than her attack.
"But we are all slaves in one way or another. Why is my job so much worse than yours?"
Quirking an eyebrow, the warlock turns back to Darius.
"Forgive the interruption to our most interesting dicussion. You were saying?"
"I believe we were discussing the merits of the Sixfold Trial, or the Chelish Play as one is prudent to call it, especially while inside a theatre," recalls the warden.
"Slaving degrades people. Did you know that?" She informs the slaver as she clouts him.
"But we are all slaves in one way or another. Why is my job so much worse than yours?"
Darius interrupts the proceedings, adding some courtroom drama.
"Objection! In the case of Avoral versus Duke Lapist it was established that "Men are born to walk. Birds are born to fly. Neither is born to kneel."
BLODDIED 63 of 128 HP; 12 of 14 Surges
Initiative +8:
Passive Perception 24, Passive Insight 24;
AP: 0
Conditions: iEvil'd by S2 (-2 attacks and defences until end enc or target change)
Dailies: Boiling Cloud, Boiling Cloud Attack
Encounters: Wrathful Warrior, Earthstride, Mountain's Stature, Erupting Vines, Second Wind, Frontline Surge
Darius joins the discussion in dramatic fashion pounding across to add his comments. Kia finds herself the unexpected recipient of climbing roses as the warden ranges alongside her. The Slaver is not impressed with by the argument or the attack.
"I believe, sir, you will find that the argument is erroneous. The wording of that ruling is open to some interpretation, particularly under fey law."
He pauses delicately. "Of course, we could discuss all this in more comfort off the battlefield, but it is not for me to say."
Chary moves with uncanny speed and cuts off the Slaver's remaining avenue of escape, with a charge. She hopes to finish him off, but prepares to dig deep within herself to flog the creature again, if it hasn't fallen after her first charge.
Chary ignores the ongoing discussion in favour of immediate destruction and puts and end to the slaver. It falls with a thud, leaving the cavern empty save for the bodies and the casks they were tending.
"What in the hells was all that about?" Tutavak grumbles. "That way?" he gestures toward the passage Arianwyn is at.
"I am curious to know what they were guarding so assiduously."
Arianwyn ignores Tutavak and rummages through the casks, tossing aside foodstuffs and gems in favour of three small flasks.
"Useful, possibly."
"The cyclopes were eager to gather captives. Is this their modus operandi, or do they need able bodies for some nefarious operation or ritual, further in the mines?"
"They work for the fomorians. A poor choice, but ingrained in them. Since these caves were formerly inhabited by kobolds and duergar, I imagine they have run out of labour."
Arianwyn picks up an opal and holds it to his eye.
"Not quite flawless, but worth somewhat."
He offers it to Chary.
Darius fastidiously examines one of the flasks of sleep powder for information on dosage and contraindications, as a Chelaxian is wont to do.
"Northwards! Lead on Tutavak, son of Ogrol!"
Chary takes the opal, looks at it thoughtfully and smiles broadly at Arianwyn. "Why, thank you good sir!" She slips it into her bag, before hurrying with the rest to the North.
Darius notes a label on the side of the sleep flasks. "Warning. May cause drowsiness."
I've fractured a finger. Posting will be slow until I can get the thing properly splinted. Apologies.
I've fractured a finger. Posting will be slow until I can get the thing properly splinted. Apologies.
Rev asked me to alert that her finger is healing but that it will likely be mid-week before she can type easily enough to participate.
I've fractured a finger. Posting will be slow until I can get the thing properly splinted. Apologies.Rev asked me to alert that her finger is healing but that it will likely be mid-week before she can type easily enough to participate.
To add to that, she has tried to update today, but it is still too painful, so will try again tomorrow.
Darius arms himself not only with steel and lilies, but also the power of slumber.
Suitably equipped and refreshed, the group press on through the caverns. It is noticeable that a lot of work has been going on. Apart from a general increase in the size of the shafts, there are also large numbers of relief sculptures on the walls. These are skillful work, delicately done and feature fomorians at work and play. Fomorian play is not for the squeamish, but beyond the generally expected megalomania, a theme seems to be emerging. These fomorians are seeking enlightenment and wisdom.
The spiraling mine system has taken you deeper and ahead you can see a stronger glow. Voices rise and fall in what may be debate, punctuated by odd chanting.
Arianwyn sighs theatrically and rolls his eyes.
"Tedious. They're philosphising. In elven."
The group make a cautious approach to the mouth of the cavern and discover a scholastic scene.
A fomorian of some rank to judge by her bejewelled person holds court. The object of her interest is a Rune Stone and she lectures three more fomorians. Maces lie at their sides as they engage in discussion. Although their voices are intent, their movements are strangely lethargic.
"There can be no question that the Stone is guiding us to a better understanding of our reality and our role. The tragedy lies in the blindness of our fellows, who will not see the truth."
"But Shaman, how may we resolve this? Our nature does not allow for great discussion," points out one of the wisdom seekers. "Without the Stone, we are likely to degenerate into bloodthirst once more."
The shaman turns to the group and gestures.
Seeking confirmation from the elven speakers of the party, the warden asks,
"Judging by the absence of hostile activity, would I be right to say that they're inviting us to join their forum?"
"Yes."
Arianwyn looks slightly amused by the turn of events. "How very curious. It seems this Stone may be offering us some advantage. How do you suggest we proceed?"
"We could hear what else they may have to say. We may need to guage the effect of the stone before wading in."
The shaman rises slowly.
"We seek wisdom," she says very slowly in common. "The Stone teaches us the virtue of patience. Join us in our search to understand its needs."
Seemingly hypnotised by the rock, the other wisdom seeking fomorians simply watch.
Arianwyn shrugs and strides forward, his fingers flickering slightly as he places a precautionary curse on the Shaman.
"Does this mean they won't fight back?" Tutavak asks softly.
"I would imagine they will respond aggressively to an arrow in the face," replies the warlock.