Nodding appreciatively to both of his healers, Gray showed his gratitude. Clenching and unclenching his fingers, he tested his newly healed arms. "Thank you both very much. I feel like a million gold coins."
He picked up his fine hand-and-a-half sword and turned his attention to Rallos' sneaking.
- examining the vials, you are unable to determine what the type or effect of the poison is...
Rallos listens and checks but hears nothing...cautiously, he opens the door…revealing a moderately sized room. Presumably an armoury of some form, weapon racks and wooden wardrobes line the walls of this room…five dummies in the centre of the room wear suits of armour… more importantly however, your eyes are instantly drawn to the shape of a door in the western wall – clearly opening into the stairwell where you previously arrived at this level, it appears to be a secret entrance.
Oddly, masks hang on the wall near the door; each consists of a brass nosepiece with cheek guards, from which a veil of red silk hangs. Now that you think about it, several of the defeated outlaws were wearing such masks.
Anyone want to add to their arsenal? I do not think they will miss a weapon or two....
The racks and arming dummies contain 10 short swords, 12 daggers, four light crossbows, 3 composite short bows , two suits of leather armor, and three suits of padded armor. The wardrobes contain 15 darkened brown ceremonial robes.
"Were these Splinter ruffians known to be affiliated with any cults at all? These masks look intruiging," the druid notes, examining them with interest.
Yasmin starts putting on a mask, and some clothes like the bandits were wearing. "Might give us the element of surprise, don't ya think?"
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I was thinking along those same lines Yasmin....might not fit our burly friend over there. And they might not hide Pertreeko's features too well, but cannot hurt to try anyways.
Rallos goes and tries one of the robes on.
The robes are all sized for an average human - they would probably fit Pertreeko, Rallos, Yasmin and Ea without too much bother however Grayface would struggle to get a robe over his armour... even without his armour, the muscular warrior is probably larger than anyone that the robes were designed to fit...
Examining the masks, there is a peculiar odour coming from the silk...and, picking one up, it appears that the brass nosepiece incorporates a small reservoir of liquid. As Rallos suggests, the red silk drape will not mask Pertreeko's Tengu features...if anything, it may draw more attention...
Seeing the masks, and the short swords, Sister Zalinsel says
Norgorber. God of poison, greed, secrets and lies, he's a favorite for dark-hearted thieves and stone cold killers. No offense meant, Rallos. 15 robes, meaning we have maybe around 10 more bandits to defeat. Or more, if some of the Splinters don't share this faith. The Splinters are more than a simple ring of lawless thugs, they have probably a religious leader. Tarrin Dars may be a priest of Norgorber, or be assisted by such a man. I suggest we take extra care not to be surrounded by our foes, Greyface, if they are as skilled as Rallos about finding a weak point in someone's armor. And remember their weapon are most probably poisoned. If we find the Splinter's priest, you ought to bring him down quick. Sweep him off his feet so he'd had difficulty calling for his dark god's favor.
Looking at Yasmin trying a mask
I'm not much at ease with twisting words. That would be more your kind of skill, Yasmin. No offense meant again, of course. Let's hope there's no secret password we don't know. Such things are to be expected among Norgorber faithfulls, I think. But it could be worth a try.
After a few seconds she adds
Trouble is, neither the mask will be able to hide Pertreeko's beak, nor the robe will fit Greyface. Maybe we-Rallos, Yasmin and myself- should put the robes, and Greyface and Pertreeko can play the part of captured adventurers?
Would that I could simply take on animal form and follow them from the shadows, Pertreeko thinks ruefully to himself as he glances at a rat in one corner of the room. Soon enough.
"Whatever we decide to do, I will be limited to a few lightning strikes and this crossbow for support," the druid comments, hefting the crossbow as he gestures to it. "Those arrow slits and the dangerous vermin we faced before have all but exhausted my connection to the spirit world. I fear the result of another pitched battle - at least today - might not be in our favor."
He places his calloused hand on Pertreeko's shoulder.
"Pertekkio makes a good point. We could press on but he is nearly spent and I am still hurting from the damnable spider poison. What do you all think. Shall we rest, or press forward? I can still cut down a few before I'm tired but I know you magic-types need to replenish often."
Yasmin shrugs. "I've got a fair bit of spark left. Better to push on while we still have the element of surprise, I think."
Yasmin points out the vial of liquid in the nosepiece of the mask. "What do you make of this? Is it a poison? Or better yet, an antidote that we might be needing?" Yasmin compares the liquid to the poison found in the vials and crossbow bolts.
The druid smiles. "I wouldn't dream of holding up the party on my account, especially when everybody is still so fresh. Just don't expect any miracles from me for a bit, and I'll be good as new soon. We press on, then!" He tries to keep his tone jovial, but if anyone is perceptive or looks carefully at him, there are signs of nervousness underneath.
I am up for sneaking in...
- Looking at the liquid in the ask reservoir, it isn't the same colour or consistency as the vials you found on the defeated outlaws..the liquid in the mask gives off a sharp menthol type smell when you don it but it isn't unpleasant.
Yasmin sniffs at the mask. "Ooh, minty fresh. You know, these might be useful for some reason. I'd recommend everyone get one, even if you aren't putting it on now. As for Ea's comment about what to do if they ask for a secret password, let's agree that our answer is to stab, shoot and blast them!"
Yasmin suggests going to the secret entrance that Rallos found.
Moving through the concealed door, you find yourself back at the foot of the stairs that brought you down from Gorloth's domain...it seems likely that this door was intended to act as a 'Sally port' during defense of the entrance.
Let's start here and work our way down...
Rallos heads to the southernmost door, checking for any signs of alarms or traps. He puts his ear to the door to listen for people.
Agreed.
Ea moves besides Rallos, unsure yet as to whether put a mask or not.
Why the masks got some mint scent inside the fake noses?
Suddenly she stops walking
I think the masks are used somewhere near because the Splinters would need to cross a place where a foul odor-maybe even something poisonous, remember they serve Norgorber-lays. As a priest of Pharasma,I can tell you I've come across dead bodies in need of burial which smelled very bad...
Listening at the door, Rallos can hear something...it seems to be the sound of low whispers. Listening further, Rallos can't quite make out what is being said but determines there are maybe four, maybe five voices...maybe even more?
- your spirit sense is tingling quite sharply, as it was the last time you walked past this room...
Rallos holds up his hand, motioning his companions to be silent. He then makes a talking gesture, then hold up 5 fingers and then makes an upward motion with his hand.
Yasmin nods, acknowledging Rallos. She seems ready to bring magic to bear once they open the door.
The warrior grabs a menthol-nose mask
"Ea that makes sense, about the intense odors. I should hang onto one of these though I don't know about the robe there."
"But others using their robe as a disguise is a good idea to gain the initiative on them."
Gray hangs the mask from his belt, and readies his weapons once again.
Later, when Rallos raises his hand, Gray readies for action.
Pertreeko's eyes are limned with a faintly glowing blue mist, the manifestation of his spirit sense. In a voice very different from how it has sounded before, he murmurs, quietly, "The dead are restless here...I can feel them..." There is fear in his voice.
- below the murmur of voices, you can hear the sound of something wet...a bubbling sound...accompanied by what could best be described as flatulence...
Rallos waits until his friends acknowledge their readiness, then opens the door quietly.
Pertreeko sees Rallos looking back and merely nods grimly.
Yasmin grows increasingly impatient. She waves her hand, gesturing for the rogue to open the door!
Ea whispers to the sorceress
Do you still have your fire spells, Yasmin?
She takes one of her alchemic fire vials in hand, and gets ready to throw it
Silently opening the door, Rallos discovers a small barracks with a pair of double bunks and a small privy in the north wall. The eastern portion of the room is partitioned into a pair of cells with doors made from iron bars; inside each is a shoddy bunk and a rusty bucket. There is no evidence of where the voices, or 'other noises' may have been coming from (although there is a door to the north).
, there is someone or something hiding beneath the bunk of the northern cell.
Rallos motions to the party to where the person/thing is and moves closer to the door leading out. He listens at the door.
"Plenty of fire and ice" notes Yasmin. She readies a Daze spell should a person emerge from the bunk to attack.
- peering into the room, you can see a swirling white thread attached to a form beneath the bunk...it is pulsating brightly with the vigour of life....
- the strong tingling feeling you are getting is definitely arising from the form beneath the bed.
As Rallos moves into room, he is reassured by the apparent strength of the bars housing the bunk, and the shape below it. A sturdy padlock and chain hang from the door keeping it closed and locked...listening closely, Rallos can hear whispers...unintelligible whispers from many voices...and then, with a terrific belching noise, the shape starts to move...to almost flow from beneath the bed...
Pertreeko would pre-emptively cast Guidance on Grayface, waiting slightly out of the room. There's only enough room at the doorway for one, so the druid makes an "after-you" gesture at Yasmin or Ea, whomever is closest.
Yasmin shakes her head no as Pertreeko invites her in. Instead, she takes a quarter-step back to make some space for anyone else who wants to enter. It seems she's happy exactly where she's standing - outside the doorway with a good view in.
Rallos, there's something alive in here. Beware. It's a strong life. Many voices are heard, but there's only one life thread... I don't understand, so I can't explain better. I don't know what it is...
Ea is baffled, and frowns,nearly pouting, looking suddenly like the usual stubborn teenager who's rebelling against something it doesn't understand fully but feels wrong anyway.
She stays outside the room, trying to get a line of sight to throw her alchemic fire vial without hindering Yasmin spellcasting and aim
"Under the bed!" Pertreeko warns, as soon as his spirit sense senses something wrong under the bed.
An amorphous and horrific mass of eyes, mouths, and formless flesh slides from beneath the bunk...eyes staring in all directions while its countless maws start babbling incomprehensibly. Instantly, you feel your mind catch and follow these strange words and noises....the effect is distracting and confusing...and you feel your grip on reality slip...
The strange creature attack is both physical and mental, and Ea is nearly stunned by the multiple voices echoing in her brain.
Her eyes roll back until only the white appears, and she seems to be unconcious, or at least on the edge of unconciousness.
Burn and die... Let's see if your multiple mouths can help you pleading your case to Pharasma!
Her arm acts on its own will, and a vial flies into the air into a near perfect pitch.
Will it be enough?
Only Pharasma, mistress of Fate, knows.
Rallos tries to shoot the thing, then step back.
"Abomination!" Pertreeko hisses in disgust. "Look at those mouths! Don't let it get too close..."
Pointing at it, a lance of lightning suddenly connects his fingertip and the mouther. It's tinged with greenish hues that mark its connection to the ley-lines that run throughout this place.
Round 1
Yasmin feels the sensation of a gibbering mass of creatures crawling all over her skin. "Get them off! Get them off!" She tears at her own flesh, and blood begins to pour out of her wounds.
Grayface snarls in disgust at the creature, recognizing it straightaway. He'd heard enough tales of these vile beasts to know they are dangerous, as if a first glance wasn't enough to tell you. Gritting his teeth and focusing on his hate, the creature's nightmarish gibbering was ineffective.
"Do not bother with flanking tactics; it can see all around itself. Kill it quickly."
Unsure of how to react, but opting not to enter the small chamber with the abomination, Grayface pulls back toward the door.
Whilst Grayface, Ea and Pertreeko all manage to shut the incessant babbling of the creature out, both Rallos and Yasmin get pulled into madness...Rallos surfacing briefly and managing to get a shot in on the blob before staggering backwards whilst poor Yasmin starts to imagine herself drowning beneath a sea of miniature mothers...
Ea and Pertreeko both have the same idea and launch a combination of fire and lightning at the roused creature...ozone fills the air as smoke billow within the cell...
Fully roused now, the Mouther flows towards you passing through the bars of the jail cell as if it was water flowing through a grating...the chattering stops as it's many eyes fix upon Pertreeko, Rallos and Grayface...
Maybe recognising Grayface as the largest meal available...or maybe for some completely unfathomable reason...all eyes suddenly turn towards Grayface and with a garrulous croak, five or six fetid mouths spew acid at the warrior
Grayface turns at the right time, any acid that does hit him stays mercifully clear of his eyes...
...but ducking that attack leaves him perilously exposed to the follow up charge that the thing makes at him...almost comical in its glacial speed, it crashes against Grayface like a tide of flesh...chewing, biting, grabbing...