"The dragons scale, I believe I could use its lingering magic at least twice more to levitate them. Then they could float across. I don't think I could squeeze any more out of the item without a long rest though, so the rest of us would need to jump."
@GM: do we have enough time to undress/dress? Jumping with my armor check would be simply absurd :)
Allyo undresses and dons the armor, then takes a running start and jumps.
He lands on the other side and signs to Darros.
I can try to help catching people here, if needed, my friend.
"How much rope do we have amongst us?"
"I can't say I had much use for rope at the festival. I'm sorry. If I float Horgus and Argus, I think you could carry Aravashnial over."
Davin lines up the jump and hops across with ease.
Shinari leaps the chasm and awaits the others.
You easily overcome the obstacle with your ideas and continue on. Lann and his companions are impressed. you travel for about 20 minutes and Lann informs you of the obstacle they were worried about. You must traverse a cavern that is the lair of a "spore-cougher". He tells you that there is a good chance that it will be absent, but that it is a formidable opponent.
"It is a large creature that resembles an inverted umbrella with several stems of dark green or brown hanging beneath it. The inside of its cone-shaped top is inky black. It exudes fumes that cause hallucinations it then infects you with spores."
"Well," the Halfling muses, "that looks fun. You're people wouldn't have found some genius way of avoiding those fumes, have then?"
|
Gardening never was Sabrina's thing. despite the description she only knew that it was a plant to be avoided. and now thanks to Lann, she could identify it.
There is the possibility that this spore-cougher could be useful. If we can avoid it, like bypassing it, we should try. lets avoid a confrontation.
It makes sense. - Allyo agrees - No point picking an unnecessary fight, we have other priorities at hand.
That said, he points forward.
Maybe we should get going. - he smiles, as if trying to make his suggestion a friendly push.
"There is no way to avoid it. The passage through its cavern is the only way."
"I don't mind if someone else wants to lead the way on this one. Hallucinations aren't really my thing."
"I will lead, I am less susceptible to confusion than most."
Allyo follows right behind Darros.
Davin takes in a deep breath and holds is following just after Sabrina.
The tunnel opens into a circular cavern, roughly forty feet in diameter. Thick sheets of fungus grow in the cave, and several tunnels branch off. All of these save one in the north wall lead downward; the northern one leads upward. What appear to be two dead bodies lie on the ground in the middle of the cave, next to a strange heap of ropy green fungus.
In a hushed tone, still hoping he can hold his breath, Davin whispers, "Maybe we should keep to the outside edges of the cavern."
Darros will move forward to investigate the bodies. He keeps his axe ready for the plants if they move.
Darros cautiously approaches, an eye out for any movement.
Allyo follows Darros closely, weapon in hands, and uses Detect Evil towards the direction of the dead bodies and the fungus.
As you approach you realize that everything is dead. The two bodies are crusaders of Iomedae. It looks like they killed the Fungus creature and one perished in the fight while the other died afterwards from its spores. The crusaders are armed with glaives and spiked gauntlets instead of the traditional longsword usually carried by crusaders of Iomedae.
Allyo covers his nose with clothing, not knowing if the fungus could have left something airborne, and prays silently for Desna. Without touching the men, out of care, he tries to analyze and wonders why these crusaders look so unusual.
Darros narrows his eyes in suspicion. He immediately drags one of the bodies and begins searching it. He finds an amulet and growls menacingly. Whatever it is you see him squeeze until drops of blood drip from his closed hand. He then throws it to the ground and stomps on it for good measure.
"They are not crusaders, but instead foul worshippers of the Usurper, Baphomet! Strip them of any valuables and leave them to rot!"
Turning to the Mongrelmen he asks, "Do you know these men? Have you seen them before?"
The rest of you look at what Darros threw on the ground. Though misshapen now, it is still recognizable as a small symbol of a brass bull’s head with tiny red gemstone eyes.
Allyo and Shinari recognize it as an unholy symbol of Baphomet.
Both men still wear a masterwork chain shirt. One of the dead bodies still carries a potion, while the other has a scroll in a pouch. Between the two of them, they also carry 200 gp.
"Sabrine, it may not seem noble, but we have much to gain from stripping them. We very well may never find a way to the surface. Surviving down here requires supplies." As he speaks Davin is already inspecting the potion and scroll.
I'm not saying we take anything more than is useful to us. No need to overburden ourselves, but their armor is well made. If one of us has use for it, we should put it to use. Besides, a few good coins to charity for their misdeeds is the first step to redemption right."
Allyo taps Darros gently on the back.
I can understand your personal hatred for the followers of Baphomet, my friend, and it disgusts me they'd hide as crusaders of Iomedae. I don't know all the story of your people, however, but Desna will always cast the shine of her stars upon a righteous path.
Assisting Davin to identify the potion and scroll (not sure if needed or possible, but here it goes).
The paladin is still careful approaching the bodies and the fungus which killed them, but he doesn't oppose to Davin and Darros' actions.
Redemption is possible for many, even the ones which we think are completely lost. I shall offer my hand, in the future, towards the redemption of the ones who wish to review their actions and find the righteous path. For now, however, those who perished concern me not, but the fact they were posing as crusaders is disturbing. For now, we should collect what's useful for us, and follow our path.
He patiently steps to continue walking, but looks at the mongrelmen to see if they'll answer Darros.
"Yes, we have seen them before, although lately they have been more numerous. They are in allegiance with another tribe of our people that has fallen from the true path and now follows evil."
"I can agree to making better use of their gear than just leaving it here to rot, or be looted by others. Particularly if those looters are hostile. If nothing else, we can sell it for better equipment for ourselves"
"I think we have what we need, shall we be on? Davin asks, still weary of the spores.
Allyo agrees to keep marching and aligns. He points the mongrelmen to show the way, then moves.
The tunnel winds north for about 1,000 feet (about 15 minutes of travel at a speed of 15 feet) before reaching a circular, 20-foot-diameter cavern. Four mongrelmen stand guard here before a large stone door. Since you are accompanied by Lann and the others, the guards greet their mongrel companions warmly. While they eye the PCs with suspicion, Lann’s word is good enough to let them all enter the chamber beyond the
door.
A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundredfoot- wide cavern, the walls and ceiling aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky one-hundred-foot-wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake’s closest shore.
"This looks like a rather lovely place you have here, Lann." The Aasimar says with a small smile. "Is there somebody in charge we should be introduced to?"
"We should not take too long here though. We need to see if we can get back to the surface as soon as we can and give aid." Davin says, glancing around.
"We will row across and go see chief Sull."
The boats and rafts easily support you and Lann and his companions row over with you. At the shore you are met be a contingent of guards and they escort you to the largest building atop the island’s low central peak. This is the home of chief Sull and you are let in after a short period after the chief speaks with Lann.
Inside you meet chief Sull. He is an intimidating and frightful presence. A huge, bloated and unpleasant looking person. One of his eyes is larger than the other and clouded white. However, when he speaks his voice is at odds with his appearance and he comes across as mild mannered.
"Welcome to Neathholm. We do not often get surfacers here. Please, tell me your story. I am told that Crel's survival is because of your aid. For that I thank you."
|
|
Sabrina step forward, I am Sabrina De'Foe. Veteran of the Second Crusades. It is true that we have given aid to one of your people. We ask for help in return. We seek a safe place to rest. and if you can, a guide to help us to reach the surface.
Sabrina gives the Chief the due respect deserved of his position.
"How did you come to be here? There were many disturbances lately and earthquakes. Do you know why?" The chief asks you.
Allyo greets Sull respectfully, and then the paladin speaks.
I'm Allyo Shan, paladin of Desna. - he starts - We were in the Armasse festival in Kenabres, when the horror happened. The ground under the Clydwell Plaza shook and we saw ourselves under attack.
He closed his eyes, still remembering the terror.
The Storm King himself was there, with his minions. Terendelev came to our aid, but the mighty dragon fell... Barely sacrificing herself to save us before doing so. We're on our way, trying to return to the surface, and trying to find and help the survivors the best our abilities can.
"The dragon of Kenabres is slain!?" Chief Sull says with a horrified gasp.
"How fares the city then? What of the wardstone?"
He looks quite concerened.
"My kind may be outcasts and freaks in the eyes of uplanders like yourselves, but our ancestors helped drive back the demons in the First Crusade. I want the demons defeated as much as anyone who lives above."
He looks at each of you.
"If you are willing, please bring this message to the surface—that the mongrels will stand with the inhabitants of Kenabres to defend the city from the demon hordes. Tell them that we are ready to assault from beneath when they call!"