"Bringing them with isn't going to get us killed, and even if left behind and we die, they wouldn't be long to follow, even without someone trying to kill them. Besides, I'd rather plan on living. One lives longer that way. Self fulfilling prophecies and all that."
Hope for the best prepare for the worst. If we die out there and they start searching the tunnels they'll be slaughtered in their current condition. At least here they have numbers.
"I don't recommend it, but ultimately it is their decision."
Horgus is horrified by the idea of staying here.
"I am paying good coin to be brought safely to the surface as quickly as possible. I will not stay here!"
Argus and Aravashnial are of similar minds (though much less rude or forceful).
Horgus's outburst was a bit funny to Bakji. He shook his head and stepped forwards till he was within a few inches of the man, staring at him with his pupil-less eyes. "Ah, I had no idea that you were in such a rush. I can give you two options at the moment. We go fast, which means that you'll have to come along with us and possibly be severely injured by demons or worse killed...or you give us an hour or two and we make sure that not a scratch comes to you and these other fine people. I suppose a third option would be for you to grab up arms and help...but I don't think you like that option. Could you please tell me which you prefer?"
"Let them just come with us. Who knows how many hours or days we will spend until we finally do reach the surface? With a hostile village in between us and where we are going there is also no guarantee that going back and forth won't increase the risk of failing."
It would take time for the dangers to replenish themselves. But it be their decision.
|
"I think our decision is made. They wish to come with us, so they shall. Chief, how far away is the village we have to pass through and how far from the surface is it from there? We might need some food and water, is there anything else anyone wishes to buy? After our rest, let us be off as quickly as possible. I, too, am anxious to get back to the city."
Aleziella mutters a quick prayer then says. "Can you send someone to guide us? Do you know any way past these demon-allies? If there are thousands of them, fighting might not be the best idea. You really don't know even roughly how many of them there are?"
"Unfortunately, their village sits astride the exit to the surface. You can try to go through quickly, but then they will still be a force to contend with and an ally to the demonic forces in your rear."
Then we'll just have to clear them out. With your leave we'll prepare Chief Sull.
"Calm yourself Korak and think. They are not exactly new, and we have no idea where on the surface we will come out, so to say they will be in our rear is an assumption. Any army forming a counterattack could be in a number of directions from the city, and for all we know, the exit to the surface coukd be behind enemy lines. Taking out an enemy is good, but risky, and right now we already agreed to a mission to get these folks up top, not kill everything we find. A village is a lot of enemies, possibly with demonic support and their home turf and home environment. Subterfuge or stealth are far better options for success. Besides, we don't know much about them. There is no way to tell whether the entire village is evil or if some just follow along to avoid getting lynched by the others. Not every village is a case of everyone being totally good or totally evil. And it would take tok much time and effort to properly setup an op against that village when we have other objectives, and the locals here are certainly able them at bay, so no imminent threat there. No, no point in risking an all out assualt or even an attack. I say we sneak on buy. If they are indeed as evil as they seem, bribing guards should be simple if it is needed. We can have the ruse of traders, or slavers or something along those lines."
Aye, ya speak the truth lass. But we can't afford to show mercy against any who attack us.
"They have yet to attack us." she says with her arms crossed.
I'm not saying they have, but if they attack we can't afford to show mercy because they might have been pressured into it.
"We should strive to eradicate evil where we find it. Of course we should not throw away our lives needlessly against insurmountable odds either. Once you side with the demons, there is not really any going back. Just because they got pressured into it won't stop them from participating in the war. Basically we are just guessing at the situation from here. We'll see where our journey takes us. We might have to fight, or slipping by might be better. Chief, how many days to the surface? We should probably restock our food supplies if nothing else."
Once done with dealing with the chief Aleziella will pull Xantrius aside to ask to check out the gear they found and cast guidance on herself and detect magic on the cloak and potions.
Chief Sull gives the jewelry a cursory glance.
"You can trade that stu..... "
He stops and looks closer at one item, the bat brooch, his one good eye goes misty.
"Where did you find that?" As he points it out.
That belonged to my son. He left a couple of weeks ago after an argument with me. Do you have any news of him?" He asks expectantly.
"No good news I'm afraid. However, I also can not confirm his death or life either." Tanya says it gently, but doesn't seem used to speaking "gently" so it comes out a bit weird.
|
|
"We found this at a campsite in a cavern near the spot where we fell after the ground collapsed beneath us. While the bedroll and other items were all torn or destroyed, we found no bones or other signs of what may have befallen the owner. I am sorry we could not be of more help, but you should have this." Xantrius explains to the chief as he hands him the broach.
Korak looks thoughtful for a minute before wiping it off his face. I be sorry we couldn't bring ye better news about yer kin.
"Thank you for the information and the brooch. Here, take this." He hands you a morningstar. "I only ask that you put it to good use against those demon collaborators."
Aleziella curtsies with a smile. "Thank you for this gesture. We'll help each other get through this. If we hear more about your son and we'll find a way to send you word of it we will do so." She turns to Xantrius. "I'm as eager to be off as you, but a map or directions would aid us a lot on our journey." She turns back to the chief. "Do you have a map over the tunnels we could get or copy? Or at least directions?"
You get a good rest and, despite Horgus's nagging, prepare to leave. Lann accompanies you part way as a guide and prepares you for the first area. From the hamlet of Neathholm, the tunnel winds mostly in a southeast direction for about 2,000 feet. The tunnel narrows down at this point to a 5-foot-wide passageway, the walls carved with picks and chisels. You are now very close to the entrance to the traitors’ den. Lann informs you that the narrow passage will open into a guardpost. Barricades made of heaped loose rocks and wooden boards bisect this cavern. Beyond the barricades, a wooden screen covers the lower half of a tunnel mouth.
Bakji looks over the barricades before looking back at the others. He gets low as he sets up his bow readied for danger. He steps out carefully, scouting out a bit ahead of the others.
Korak sighs and follows alongside Bakji, while not particularly stealthy at lease he doesn't clank as he walks.
"I couldn't disagree more, stealth is double as hard with twice as many people. Still, I would have gone with him if Korak didn't do so already. Three is even harder than 2. Let's wait here to hear what they say."
Tanya follows behind Korak and Bakji, ready to hide them if need be, and to take a peek herself. She cuts out her lights and follows the passage along the opposite wall from the other two.
the two dragons follow next to the armored one
The three of you avoid detection. as long as you stay within the passage. The cavern is as described before. The barrier is 20' from where you are now at the entrance to the cavern. There are 5 mongrelmen on the other side of the barrier.