Rashak picks up the spellbook and examines it carefully. "A disgrace to our guild" he mutters. "Alas, for some magic is all about power and any shortcut is acceptable." He'll also take a gander at the scrolls.
"His cloak has a dweomer."
She picks up and studies the cloak.
"I don't suppose that book has any directions for getting out of this place, does it? With his meager rations, he couldn't have been down here for too long."
Aravashnial shakes his head at Ellena's question. "If it is the same man," answers the wizard, "then he has been down here for decades. I posit that his rations represent only his most recent hunting supplies - and truth be told, I shudder to think what might comprise his prey in these circumstances."
"A protective garment - it should aid someone in shrugging off magical effects like the dwarf did with Rashak's rainbow. I think it would be good for our scout at least for now. What do you think?"
"Shrug off plenty of magic already. Too big in the shoulders, anyway..
"You are most likely to find yourself working without a partner as the scout. I merely want you to return safely from your task." She holds the cloak out as to place it on him if he will come close enough.
Rashak would need arcane aid to decipher one of the scrolls, but he is able to determine that the other is a scroll of shocking grasp, written at CL 3rd.
"This one allows you to give someone quite a nasty shock. Do you mind if I pocket it for future use? I can't tell about the other one."
"Keep the book. It's nothing but strange squiggles and the such to me. Let's get back at it."
The passage onward exits the cave beyond the dwarf's camp, curving slightly to the north. After about thirty feet, the tunnel inclines sharply upward, its walls lined with numerous nooks, handholds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven into the walls long ago.
Seeing that Belgood is mistrustful of the dwarf's cloak, she turns to Ellena. "Belgood is confident he does not need this. Would it interest you?"
Ellena takes off her armor, slowly making the climb up the inclined tunnel. She trussed her armor together with a rope, so it could be pulled up after she made her way.
Lyddy raises an eyebrow at the second refusal. "Rashak, is there a flaw in my reasoning? The scout working alone should be protected. Barring that, the warrior in the front line, yes?"
"I will hold it until one of you comes to your senses." It's delivered wryly rather than insulting.
Belgood can see that as the cloak settles on her slimmer shoulders, it lengthens to a 'normal' length for her height even as the shoulder seams retreat upward to an appropriate position. A little startled as she feels the change occur, Lyddy looks at either side of the cloak sharply. "Well. That's a little unsettling."
"Ah, I've heard that some magical equipment changes it's shape to fit the wearer. That same cloak might fit over my full armor, same as it might shrink to fit on Belgood's rather thin shoulders. The Inheritor's gifts are truly blessed, helping the large and small of us."
"We don't know what's at the top of this slope. Belgood, if you would check it out, I will follow you since I think I can manage the climb with my armor. Lady Anevia, if you can manage the climb with your injury, your bow will be most effective at height, perhaps you can follow third."
Pointing at the armor that Ellena has started to remove and set aside, Lyddy suggests, "Once we have determined that it is safe, we can pull your gear up with the rope. Once Master Gwerm and Master Rashak have reached the top, I will work my way back down and act the rearguard while Lady Lovain assists Master Aravashnial in his climb."
"Overly complex, I am sure, but it would work. What say you?"
"This could be tricky. I am fine with making sure we go up slow and steady. Last thing we need is to get in a hurry and slip up here."
Belgood cocks his head to the side as the cloak resizes itself.
"Fancy."
He then begins making the ascent, taking some care not to loosen any of the hand-holds along the way before slowing and peering over the edge of the crevice's opening.
Lyddy lets the little scout get halfway up before she starts, moving carefully and methodically up the slope.
Your plan is solid, and progress is made easily, if not swiftly. Once you have reassembled the group at the top of the shaft, you continue on down the passage.
Twenty-five minutes of walking later, the tunnel opens into a large cavern, about seventy feet across. Cylindrical rock formations along the walls arch up to make a domelike chamber, but the walls and floor are riddled with cracks. At the center of the cave, a stone tower, built by unknown hands and that may once have reached the fifty-foot-high ceiling has collapsed onto its side. The bodies of the tower's inhabitants are faintly visible through the dust and rubble.
As you approach, you see two figures digging desperately, but weakly, through the piles of fallen rock. They are humanoid but extremely deformed; one is a woman, but her face is covered in tumors and swollen globs of flesh so thoroughly that she seems unable to speak, while the other has a single ram's horn curling out of his right temple - that half of his face is that of a handsome elven man, but the left side is covered in scales, and his mouth opens to reveal sharply pointed teeth set into the left side of his jaw. Both assume defensive postures, raising their clubs but not pointing them toward you. The man speaks, his voice surprisingly smooth and cultured, but accented oddly. "Who are you, strangers, and what be your purpose here? If your intentions are ill, we ask you to move on and leave us in peace. If you be folk of good will, however, then we ask your help: as you can see, misfortune has befallen us." He indicates the pile of rock, and you faintly hear a voice calling from beneath the rubble.
"We come of good will. What has happened here? How can we best assist you," the paladin asks as she moves toward the strange creatures! using her Detect Evil ability as she advances.
The two remain wary as Ellena approaches, but the man answers calmly enough, "My name is Lann, and my companion is Dyra. Our brother, Crel, is trapped beneath the rock. There was a quake yesterday, and the tower collapsed... we mourn many dead, but for now, we hope only to save the living." He indicates a massive stone in the center of the pile. "We have worked through the night, and only this last stone remains between us and Crel. But it is beyond our might, no matter how we strive. Perhaps with your assistance, though, our efforts will not be in vain."
Horgus shakes his head, spitting. "Don't get closer, you fool!" he shouts to Ellena. "They're clearly demon-spawn! Lower your weapons and you'll just get us killed! We can move on, and let them die in the depths as they deserve!"
"Now is not the time, Horgus. The Inheritor would not have us turn our back on others in their time of need.". Ellena sheathes her sword and takes a look at the large stone. "Do you think we can budge that stone, Lann?"
Untrained Knowledge Engeneering
She moves to the side of the two strange looking humanoids. "We've got to try. Everyone grab a section, and let's lift on the count of three!". After counting down, she does her best to lift the rock and clear the path.
Str check
Belgood appears briefly at Rashak's side, before moving in to assist with moving the debris.
"Something wrong with the paladin," he whispers. "Expected her to have chopped one of the corrupted in half already."
Rashak smiles at Belgood's comment and goes to work, happy to find a use for his mundane strength.
With a mighty heave, the four of you and the two strange humanoids lift... and the stone barely rocks.
Rashak approaches Ellena. "Milady, I do possess some magic that could prove handy in a situation like this. If there is a living soul trapped behind that rock, we all need to do our utmost to help. I can make you grow into twice your size for a short while. It's not a pleasant experience, but I hope it might help you move that rock."
"If it will help, I'll gladly undergo any nonevil magic at your disposal."
Str. check
Belgood offers another feeble attempt at aiding.
Rashak slips and loses his footing and lets loose a stream of orcish profanity, whereupon he apologizes profusely.
Whispering to the little scout, "Belgood. Use the scale. Make yourself strong like Ellena."
[ooc]Is there anything here that can be used as a level? Is it possible to excavate around the stone to make it roll away from the victim? Can the victim be reached for a healing spell to help them stabilize? For that matter, I have stabilize for any victims I can see but cannot reach.[ooc]
"We aren't giving up! Everyone keep trying...I know we can move this rock!"
Str check three
Str check four
Str check five
"We aren't giving up! Everyone keep trying...I know we can move this rock!"
Str check three 1d20+3+1
Str check four 1d20+3+1
Str check five 1d20+3+1
Belgood gazes at the fire-haired oracle with a confused expression, before her meaning became clear.
"Oh. Right."
He digs into his pack, drawing forth the blessed scale and clasping it with both hands as though he were afraid it would slip away.
Closing his eyes in concentration, Belgood focuses his thoughts on the scale. With a silvery flash of light, the half-fiend is suddenly just as tall as Ellena. In addition, the stubby horns on his head have grown out, twisting like branches seeking sunlight, and you get the impression that a number of the small spines on his back have grown out in a similar manner. Less impressive however, is the network of scars and what look to be small brands that become visible at the edges of his clothing as the larger version of Belgood moves to help lift the stone.
"Should offer more help, now," he says, flexing one arm.