"Wellspring is a reasonable suggestion. It is as well that we stay together. There is no limit to the threat of abomination. Mr Samir, I hope you feel quite well?"
Akahale stows the amulet carefully.
"If Mr Valenara is correct, it is possible that we are yet under the influence of this demented cult. It would be unwise to provoke further incursions by wearing this item."
The dragonborn still feels extremely nervous. Normally in the aftermath of a battle he feels a little less paranoid, but on this occasion, the feeling has not abated.
"Dear egg brother please, at all costs, protect your self from that amulet. I feel that it may still yet get the better of you. Or is it me that it is having a strange effect on, as I would very much like to know why you get all of the good stuff... But i digress, it is not me that needs to keep an eye open for protection for I am a warrior with an almost impecable record. For which I must also remind myself of how greatful I am from our last adventure. You know what... I want you to have that amulet as an aid." Grafire continues to remenis with in between connections back to the amulet for something seems to nag at him...
"I do not feel that I am able to completly disregard the damned amulet. This place it has an affect upon my mind and only with the aid of my friends will i and all of us prevail. Might it still have a connection to its past master. Wrap it up tightly so it can see nothing."
Grafire continues "If we must rest we need to post 2 guards at a time as one may come under the spell from this vile lair. I will go first with Mr. Samir."
Manny watches the others converse, following Grafire's discourse appears to make the mage's eyes glaze over.
"Graf is correct. I think either this place or that amulet is still trying to exert control over us."
"I say we knock out our two 'guests'. They may be the cause of the unease, or they could be conduits for the foul power... whatever. I bet if they're unconscious it may make us feel better -- even if it means carrying them, it's better than the alternative. I know I'll feel better knocking them out. We should also blindfold them. And cover their ears."
"As for resting, I'm good. We can continue on if necessary." "But I gues if we do have to rest, I'll take watch with Akahale."
"Graf is correct. I think either this place or that amulet is still trying to exert control over us."
"Really? I hadn't noticed anything." Manny says with wide eyed innocence.
Akahale looks suspiciously at his friends. "We must be wary," he concludes unnecessarily.
"At all events, we should leave this place, with the prisoners. Some respite is necessary and the atmosphere is contaminated."
"That sound excellent. Can we may it to our last camp prior to entery in a reasonable amount of time? We sould go for it if so. This place gives me the willies."
"The willies? Oooo, I had those once! When they get really bad, all you gotta do is hunker down, and scoot! Heheh,..."
"No, wait, that's not the willies, that's,... ???"
:)
Otto coughs, "OK, let's see. Have a rest, great. How are we going to get chuckles and horny here up top? Haul them up? Cut them loose? No thanks."
"I concur," Shae adds, "We should perhaps use the cultists' own sleeping chambers. We know that it is safe, and has bedding (if somewhat insanitary. That way we can see if there is anymore of the tomb to explore as well."
"As to our captives, I propose to render them unconscious. I am unsure, Miss Shaerynn, if the adjective "safe" can ever be said to apply to the dwellings of an insane cult, however if you will feel more comfortable within them, I will of course defer to your preference."
"Render them unconscious... OK, have fun with that." the psychic responds.
The group heads back up to the stairs, and heads back to the chambers. Volkanth glowers.
Akahale zaps both captives with an eldritch blast.
"I am not in the mood to be sympathetic to possible brain damage."
Both of the captives slump to the floor.
Akahale heads back to the bed chambers and starts his exploration with the doors he had not opened earlier. Rod at the ready, he tips blankets, sheets and bedrolls to the floor in search of Sir Malagant's bones.
The warlock assiduously searches the bedrolls, and in one he finds a collection of old bones.
"Congratulations." Otto says dryly.
Akahale triumphantly returns with the bones wrapped in a pillowcase.
"This is not a decorous or honourable covering. I shall sacrifice my pyjamas to the cause. They are made of silk. Mr Valanara, perhaps you would like to carry them?"
"Ah look, the villans are so peaceful unconscious. See we can bring peace to the under world..."
"I suppose we could haul them up and out on a rope."
Akahale
The warlock finds the book fascinating, if grisly reading, and he now knows that he is even better armed than before to face monstrosities. He also realises that the paranoia that infected him and his comrades is a by-product of contact with foulspawn, and entirely outside his own feelings. However, his dreams will forever be haunted by visions of the things read about in the book.
Also, Akahale can never be sure that the dreams were only that or that the things seen in the dreams did not look back...
Akahale's annoyance (not unmingled with relief) that his unusual levels of paranoia were induced by the influence of far realm horrors is palpable when he awakens. It is noticeable though, that he is paler than usual and clearly has not rested well.
"This book is a source of most useful information on the nature of the abominations we have been pursuing. It is, however, a traumatic read. I do not recommend it. The mind of the author has been twisted by forces unlike any I have previously encountered."
He attempts to sound as normal as possible while preparing the morning coffee. Quite slowly. When he thinks nobody is looking, he glares furtively up at the innocent clouds.
"A sling of some sort..."
Akahale muses, but leaves the mechanics of such an endeavour to the practical members of the party.
Saving check
"Pray tell egg brother, the book has altered you some, yes? The environment has a some what darker feel to it. Are you sure you are ok?" Grafire then mumbles "as if I could really tell with all the doubting that is plagueing my mind, this place... We must remove our selves from this place the sooner the better." He then speaks up.
"You recall the dreams that lead us here, egg-brother? They have returned and may never fully leave me again. There is considerable peril in reading this volume."
Akahale attempts to assess the situation.
Manny stretches as he wakes, his old bones creaking and popping noisily. At least one crack is loud enough to cause both the mage and his companions to pause with concern,.... then Manny moves again, proving that nothing is (permanently) damaged. He seems in good spirits, his cantankerous self back in full grouch before Akahale even has the coffee brewing. The wizard peers myopically at the weary dragonborn.
"You don't look so good. At least, I don't think so. It's hard to tell with dragon-folk. But you've looked better. I think,..."
"My scales are discoloured from lack of sleep," admits Akahale reluctantly.
Otto looks suspiciously at Akahale, "Yeah... You might want to not keep reading that. So, what's the plan?"
"It would seem Akahale that you may be in trouble. I mean look at you... even the colour of your scales has left. Is the evil in this boook so bad that maybe we should consider buring it? After all knowledge is power and if the mage gets ahold of it why his head may just explode. We must, I feel, get to a temple and clear our minds of this trouble."
Save
Grafire procedes to make a sling for the unconscious evil duo and haul them to the entrance from where the party entered into the cavern of the sleeper. "Don't think about it let us go immediatly. Doubt has plagued my mind long enough to know it is not right."
Strength check
Grafire rigs up a system of ropes and grapples that will assist in both your escape and in transporting the prisoners. Now you need to get both them and you out...
"You will cooperate in this process unless you wish to be reduced to small atoms," Akahale warns the captives. "Do not struggle and attempt to place your weight in a helpful manner."
Considering Grafire's earlier warnings, he nods.
"The book should indeed be destroyed, egg-brother. Once we are outside this hideous complex, I shall do so with pleasure. Unfortunately, this will not remove the information from my head, so should I show signs of strong delusion, I must trust you to act appropriately. Please conserve my notebooks should you need to obliterate me. Their value is incalcuable."
Akahale's threats have some weight. Either that or the captives are tired of listening to him.
Manny rolls up his sleeves, then grabs his staff, wedges it between one of the captive's legs, and uses it as a lever,...
"How DO bad guys always manage to eat so well?!?" The elderly mage huffs,...
The old man tries shoving the reluctant prisoners with some success. Perhaps they are repelled by his odiferous robes?
Hadarai would gladly watch over the Bones. If able during the night, Hadarai would mark the "container" (the cloth sack) with the symbol of The Raven Queen and treat them with the care that the nameless god requires of her servants.
As for getting our two guests out of the dungeon, Hadarai will recount one of the methods the tielfings of Bael Turath used for elevating heavy packages up to the tops of thier towers.
Hadarai is able to lend a hand to rigging up a system of slip knots and nets to haul the glaring prisoners up like sacks of flour.
The group fin themselves in the chilly late evening. If you make good time, you can get to Sister Naenia and the pilgrims before it gets too dark and cold.
"Onwards. Sir Malagant must be laid to rest."