Lackspell follows along with the sunrod in hand. When Ameiko is discovered he looks in to the room where the others are crowding around her. When he hears her speak he will direct his attention back to the corridor. After a moment of consideration he will make his way down to the left hand corner and take a look around.
No point in worrying about stealth now I suppose after smashing down that door and all that ...probably more important to see what's what...
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Arkon glares at the back of Praetors head.. I search for her, heal her and in he tromps and steals my thunder... maybe I could acid etch a rabbit on the back of his helmet?
Arkon hands briefly shimmer with liquid as if he was powering up his acid elemental strike..
But he looks away and leaves the hero to his rescue, Arkon will examine the small hole section seeing if he would be cramped going through it.
Seeing that his two companions gave up some of their own healing for their hostess, Varak would hold off on it for now. Oblivious to the strange courtship rituals humans undergo, he began looking over her wounds for a moment before he'd offer her help in standing when she was ready. He was in full agreement with Praetor though about her needing to leave, concerned about the leader they had captured as well.
"Our initial objective has been accomplished. I can guide miss Ameiko back to the Rusty Dragon if you wish to explore these tunnels. We should also take care that our captive was safely tucked away in case any goblins attempt to reclaim him from the guards," he'd offer to the group, looking to help as best he could.
The corridor extends about another forty feet, Lackspell. There are a couple of rooms on the right wall, and what looks to be another tunnel. This one seems far more hewn, and seems as if it extends into the bowels of the earth. You'd have to go a bit further in to be sure.
A bit of exploration shows that the end of the tunnel does indeed continue downward into a much larger complex. Nothing seems to be moving around, at least at the entrance. You can likely safely transport Ameiko, and your captive, and then return to explore the other rooms and the subterranean are you've discovered.
For her part, Ameiko is pretty shaken. Other than her quip upon waking up, she's more subdued than you've ever seen her. She will accept an escort to the inn, then call on Father Zantus to finish healing her physical injuries.
The emotional harm will take far longer to heal.
Lackspell glances at Ren as she whispers to him. Quietly he replies...
It looks like we have discovered much more than just a simple basement down here. It looks like Ameiko's brother was not lying when he wrote about a tunnel. I can well imagine it might have been used by smugglers or such to bring goods in to the town secretly once upon a time. And of course, who knows what might be down there now. More goblins I would guess. Waiting for the traitor to lead them in an assault on the town.
When the idea of taking Ameiko out before continuing is brought up, he will suggest that some at least might want to stay and keep an eye on the entrance to the tunnel.
Your party is able to split and perform the actions with no difficulty. Ameiko is brought back to the inn, Tsuto is taken into custody, and nothing happens in the basement while you wait.
You still have two rooms to check, and then the path continues downwards.
I agree Ren, if there are still goblins down here then they pose a clear threat to the town above. Although it looks like Ameiko's brother was acting as the leader here, his journal makes it pretty clear that the woman who he calls his love is the one making the decisions. Perhaps she is down here... he points down the rough tunnel.
Hmmm, it also mentioned a quasit ...
I'm wondering if she might be a wizard of some sort.
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Praetor stammers slightly at Ameiko's suggestion. The subject does not offend him, but it was the last thing he expected from someone so badly injured.
Once the guards arrives, he waves them down and has Ameiko carried to safety, then prepares to crawl down the hole in the wall with the others.
While they wait, he notices Arkon staring at him-
-but has no idea why. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
As they prepare to enter, he encourages the others. "Wherever this leads... Be ready." For once Praetor leaves his greatsword sheathed on his back, drawing instead his dagger.
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Chrona watches somewhat emotionless as Ameiko is quickly nursed back to health. She thinks for a moment that her words maybhave been too cold, then forgets the notion as Arkon amd Praetor provide her with distracting entertainment.
She stays underground as Ameiko is returned to her Inn, the whole while realizing the envrionment doesn't suit her. It's, just, smothering. The presense of the Earth bearing down on her as they advance through the hole, sending chills down her back.
Ren, you can see ahead. The path continues straight on, though about fifteen feet forward there is an opening to the right. It seems as though it opens into a somewhat large oval chamber, and you can hear something moving around there.
Lackspell will be tending to be in the back half of the group and is carrying the sunrod still.
He will be keeping at least an occasional eye cast back behind the group, nervous of the darkness that seems to follow along, crowding in at the edge of his light. And despite having had little success in the past he will attempt to move quietly.
Ren, moving forward and poking your head around the corner, you see two hideous creatures.
As you explore, the two notice you! They shriek, an unsettling, stomach turning noise, and battle is joined!
- Initiative
- Ren
- Chrona
- Lackspell
- Varak
- Praetor
- Bad Guys
- Arkon
Anyone who has the skill may make a Knowledge Arcana roll to identify the creatures.
Being at the back of the group, Lackspell hadn't really noticed the creatures until they shriek. When they do he jumps, startled as his gaze snaps to them.
By the gods!
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They see me, I need to warn the others
Bad thingss! Not goblins! Ren exclaims as she draws a shortsword and dagger while moveing down the passage to the other side of the branching hallway. (Giving Arkon and Orz the room to move up and hopefully set up a flank)
Then she waits to attack with her shortsword until she has someone to flank with.
The underground had so far proven a little macabre but nothing too threatening for the priest and his allies. He wondered if they'd find anything at all until finally confronted with two monsterous creatures. The large reptile would dart forward, his blessing having faded but still invigorated enough to rush to the defense of Ren. Better they attack the strong scaled war priest than their agile scout. Once in front on the defense, he would call upon the hymn of his platinum dragon lord, feeling his scales become sturdier and more appear to improve his defenses.
Lackspell, you're not entirely familiar with what this creature is. You've not seen it's like before, but you can tell it's an aberration. You know that being bitten by it can cause the victim to experience emotional distress; their attacks assault the mind as well as the body.
Since they have yet to act, they are flat-footed, so Ren and Chrona both hit one of the creatures. It is badly wounded, but still active. Ren, it will attempt to bite you, and the other will move to your right, Chrona, and attempt to bite you.
Neither are successful, however. Next!
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Arkon orders orz to flank and attack the non engaged one
Orz go around and attack it from behind
Orz uses his tremendous move rate to go around and flank the creature and then he swipes at it with a talon
He activates his acid elemental strike
Arkon will move up to the one engaged by Orz and attack with his scimitar
Arkon, both you and Orz hit! The creature is certainly not happy.
I'm going to bot Praetor to keep it moving. I assume he'll attack the nearer one, which is the one Ren is flanking with Chrona. Praetor charges over and attacks...
And he just freaking guts it. It's hard dead.
The rest of you (besides Arkon) may go now. One is left. It is flanked by Orz and Arkon so the rest of you could easily flank it.
Charging forth to join his allies in combat, and empowered by his blessing, Varak attempts to bite the disgusting creature.
The party swiftly cuts down the creatures! Looking at the back of the room, you can see a decently-sized bell attached to the rope. Perhaps this was some type of guard chamber?
There is nothing else in the room. The path continues onward. You can't quite see to the end, but you can tell there are two paths to the right, on nearer to you and one farther away.
This seems to be an old storeroom of some type. There were once ancient vases and other types of pottery in here, though they're all broken into shards.
As you continue down the hall, you see that it does, again, break off to the right, and it also continues straight on into what appears to be a large chamber.
Lackspell follows along at the back of the group, sunrod held aloft to provide light to those who need it.
What a strange and terrifying place. I hate this underground thing. And the darkness! Still, if I am to be of use...
A red marble statue of a strikingly beautiful but, at the same time, monstrously enraged human woman stands in the middle of this room, her stony expression twisted in fury. The woman wears flowing robes, and her long hair is held back from her face by an intricate headdress of hooks and blades. In her left hand she carries a large book, the face of which is inscribed with a seven-pointed star. Her right hand
holds a glittering metal-and-ivory ranseur.
There are three exits. One is behind the statue, one is to the right, and one is to the left.
The left path has a closed door. The path behind the statues seems to continue on straight, but you can't see where it might end or turn off.
The path to the right continues straight for a bit, then hooks to the lift.
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After the fight with those mysterious creatures, Praetor has followed his friends quietly for some time. He studies the statue for a few moments, admiring the fine work.
"This place seems...old." He pokes the stone structure with his sword, then falls back in line between his quieter partners.
To view the statue more closely he removes the everburning torch from his pack and sheathes his greatsword.
"Three paths, each possibly leading to danger if those earlier creatures were any hint. Whether we travel as a group or split up, we'll need to tred cautiously all the same," Varak offered to the group. His yellow eyes lingered on the closed door to his left, wary that perhaps their enemies hid just beyond it.