Croq gives a mighty "Oooooooooh Yeaaaaaahhhh!!!" when Mother Nightthrush finally falls.
She bashes the wall a couple times for emphasis.
Cai’nan sits quietly most of the evening at the camp. He just sort of stares off into the distance in deep thought for a good long while.
Eventually, Krodha comes thumping through the underbrush into camp, a small deer dangling between his jaws. He drops it and begins tearing into it. Cai’nan looks over at him a moment before getting up and walking over to his friend. ”Easy buddy. You can’t eat all that.”
Krodha leans protectively over his kill and snarls at Cai’nan as he leans in. He even goes so far as to snap his jaws forcefully at the druid!
”Hey! NO!” Cai’nan scolds at the T-Rex, who doesn’t really back down much. Krodha continues growling at Cai’nan as he leans in and raises one of the deer’s hind legs, hacking it free with a slice of his sword.
He then steps away with it as Krodha resumes eating on the rest. He carries it over to the fire and skins the fur away, placing the small haunch over the flame to let it cook. He looked over at the others, bandits included, and says ”You all want some? Should be enough meat on here for us all to have a bit.”
Once he has his portion, he goes and sits beside Galatea and sits down. He quietly chews on his food before eventually whispering to her ”You shouldn’t have done that.”
"Careful with the walls," Lullaby warns Croq. "Dolland's apprentice Sharlise got herself killed when one collapsed on her."
Kallie's new friend plays with her fancy hat as she thinks over Cai'nan's question about other dangers.
"The goblins occupy the western half of the cave; I'm not entirely sure how they got to our section. Mother Nightthrush negotiated an uneasy peace, but it probably wasn't going to hold," says Lullaby. She looks at Nighteye and Cheektooth's corpses, "Whoever cleaned this place out got their leaders, but I remember one more: some weird goblin snake creature who possessed magic. Definitely the brains of their operation."
"I'm telling you, Vancaskerkin; they're Black Arrows, and they're the ones who killed the entire gang!" growled Dolland.
Not having seen any of the carnage, Lullaby still doesn't seem convinced.
"Kallie would never hurt me," she insists. "You probably just hid when we were attacked."
"Then how- Ow!" Dolland continues before Galatea kicks him in the shin.
"That's enough," growls the Kailani Heiress.
However, it seems that Dolland's ranting has gotten Lullaby thinking...
"Kallie, why exactly are you and your friends here?" she asks carefully. "And do you have anything to do with... this?"
She gestures to all the bodies laying everywhere.
"I think the goblins betrayed you," Galatea lies smoothly. "We were just exploring the area and got caught in the crossfire. To be clear, any blood on our weapons belongs to the goblins. Meanwhile, when he saw our group, Dolland overreacted and attacked us, but we were gracious enough to offer him mercy if he surrendered. Not sure what happened to Mother Nightthrush, though. She was acting really strangely. Perhaps fearing her magic, maybe the goblins poisoned her and she went mad? We unfortunately couldn't reason with her. Regardless, don't worry about us, Lullaby; we aren't your enemy."
"I didn't see any goblin bodies on the first two floors..." murmurs Lullaby.
Galatea nods in understanding, "That's simple; Chief Cheektooth got his hands on a Ring of Invisibility and some of Dolland's Invisibility potions. During the initial assault, your allies were caught completely by surprise and were likely quickly killed in the chaos. I mean, weren't your new recruits stationed upstairs? We arrived during the goblins' final assault. They were exhausted and injured by then, so we managed to finish them off. Granted, some of them escaped, probably regrouping with that goblin snake you mentioned earlier."
"...Wow," murmurs Lullaby, clearly sold on Gali's wild story. "If it's alright, may I stick with you all? I don't think me and my boys will be safe on our own..."
With Lullaby and her goons "recruited" to your side, the group quickly collects all the immediately collectible valuables and returns to the Stonehouse to set up their camp for the night. According to Kallie's new friend, it is actually a very defensible position; the Roadkeepers probably just got complacent. At Galatea's insistence, Dolland is totally disarmed, and Lullaby volunteers to have her men keep an eye on him.
"We would like some!" chirps Lullaby, Kallie's spell in effect, upon hearing Cai'nan's offer. She is sitting next to the centauress. The outlaw with the fancy hat appears to want a cut of the gathered goods, but she also seems like she's trying to be polite and not say so openly.
Currently guarded by his former coworker's men, Dolland just grumbles a "Sure."
Galatea appears to want to cuddle up against Cai'nan.
"I'm sorry; I just... acted," she whispers back. The Kailani heiress sighs and admits, "I know I'm very lucky that I wasn't killed. It's just... I thought you were dead for all these years, and I suddenly got you back two days ago. I couldn't... lose you again, Cai'nan."
Cai’nan doesn’t stop her from sitting close and leaning her head against his shoulder. He runs a hand through her hair as he replies ”I...I dunno what I was. I don’t remember much of it. But...maybe I should have stayed that way. If something had happened to you because you were trying to protect my dumb ass, I’d never have forgave myself.”
A bone cracks as Krodha chomps through a rib.
”Just...be careful...okay?” he asks back. He then sits quietly there with her a few moments as he eats, before he gets up and heads over to Kallie.
”Hey,” he says in greeting. ”Can...can we talk?” She can see small beads of sweat on his forehead, and he seems anxious.
Kallie had been sorting the treasure between magical and nonmagical items using her cantrip when Cai'nan approaches. She grins brightly when she sees him, but it falters somewhat when she sees his expression.
"Um, yeah, sure." Her tail tosses anxiously as she walks with him to someplace affording a measure of privacy. Her eyes are wide and expression open as she waits for him to speak.
”So...we haven’t...we haven’t had much chance...” he stammers as he talks with her, ”...chance to talk. You al-alright?” he asks as he leans against a wall.
Kallie's brow creases slightly, belying a touch of confusion in her expression. She nods. "Yeah, sure. I'm just glad my charm spell took, which kept Lullaby and her people from joining in. I didn't join that last battle since I wasn't sure how loyal she was to the Roadkeepers. Charms are tricky; I didn't want to risk breaking it."
Her head tilts to the side as she looks him over. "How about you? You okay?"
Cai’nan leans back against the stone wall, wiping his brow with the back of his sleeve. He nods, unconvincingly. ”Yeah...just...just a fever. But I just...wanted to...to tell you...uunnnggghhh,” he groans as he doubles over.
”I think...I think I need to lie down...” he says as he staggers her way and leans against her for support. She can feel his body is burning up!
"Oh, no!" Kallie shouts as she tries to catch him. She considers her limited knowledge of human ailments while laying him down on the ground.
"Gali? I think Cai'nan's dying!"
Galatea quickly hustles over and checks over Cai'nan.
"...Oh my Gods! I think you're right!" Gali whispers in horror.
Cai’nan has a fitful nights rest. He tosses and turns in his sleep, and his clothes are drenched. His eyes dart frantically beneath his eye lids, and his face contorts as if in pain periodically.
As the sun rises, he stretches and yawns, sitting up from his bedroll and looking around. ”Hey...weird night, huh?” he asks casually.
"Hoofrot? It's far more likely to be scale fungus considering the humidity. Or neither, since he's a HUMAN."
Kallie watches Cai'nan most of the evening until she finally falls asleep next to him.
She looks relieved when he wakes up in the morning greatly improved. "Weird? How about terrifying? I thought you were going to die! How do you feel?"
He looks at Kallie, confused. ”Die? Naw. I had some bad dreams...from back in Mwangi...but I’m fine. Why? What happened?”
"Ooh, I could use Nightthrush's amulet. I'm sure a bunch of us could though."
As the contents of his bag are examined, Dolland starts visibly sweating!
Seeing Dolland’s distress, Cai’nan puts a hand on his shoulder. ”Krodha. Speak.”
The T-Rex leans his head down beside Dolland and lets out a low growl.
As the others look over the loot, Cai’nan sits down with the remaining Roadkeepers. ”Alright. Dolland, you’ve been playing it smart so far. Lullaby, we appreciate your cooperation so far. We would appreciate it more if it continued. You’ve named some threats that still remain down below, and that you haven’t managed to get into the vault yet. Can you provide some details on all of this?”
Croquelle sticks her crocodilian snout over her sister's shoulder, so that she can read the note.
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I hope that your quest to open that vault is going well. I eagerly await your return and the riches you bring back, and I hope that the magical bag helps you in this endeavor. Speaking of which, you may keep it; consider the bag a gift. From my end, I am leveraging my contacts to see what can be done to help you crack the lock. I have been and will continue seeking magical solutions in Magnimar, and if my associate in Riddleport pulls through, we might soon have an adamantine pick for you to use. Regardless, I pray we talk soon! Worry not about any reprisals from the other Roadkeepers; you will be safe in Peacock Manor.
-C
Croq's eyes go wide. "Interesting."
She goes over to Dolland and whispers, "You want to tell us all about this note in private, or do we question you about it in front of your 'friends' in the Roadkeepers? You have our promise not to harm you...but I wonder if you have theirs as well?"
As the others look over the loot, Cai’nan sits down with the remaining Roadkeepers. ”Alright. Dolland, you’ve been playing it smart so far. Lullaby, we appreciate your cooperation so far. We would appreciate it more if it continued. You’ve named some threats that still remain down below, and that you haven’t managed to get into the vault yet. Can you provide some details on all of this?”
"There's an invisible monster in the boarded up room on the... 'first' floor," says Dolland. "It killed one of our men when he tried to explore the area, so we sealed off the place. To be honest, I could've just bombed the thing into oblivion, but Mother Nighttrush never let me. As for the vault, I've been trying to crack the code on the door for months, but there's 78,125 combinations to try!"
"And then there's Dolland's idiot apprentice Sharlise," says Lullaby. Despite not being charmed, Galatea's story about the goblin betrayal seems to have spurred her to hitch her wagon to your group. "She's on the bottom floor. She got herself killed when part of a room collapsed on her and then came back as a ghostie. Sharlise likes to obsessionly build traps, but she herself isn't exactly very threatening. As I said earlier, the goblins occupy the western half of the complex, but I have no idea how they kept crossing over or what's over there besides maybe that goblin snake."
Croq's eyes go wide. "Interesting."
She goes over to Dolland and whispers, "You want to tell us all about this note in private, or do we question you about it in front of your 'friends' in the Roadkeepers? You have our promise not to harm you...but I wonder if you have theirs as well?"
Dolland starts sweating and trembling in terror.
"In private please!"
"Did the invisible monster make any noises? How did it kill your men? Cutting? Ripping? Smashing? Soul drain?" Aurealia asks Dolland.
He looks at Kallie, confused. ”Die? Naw. I had some bad dreams...from back in Mwangi...but I’m fine. Why? What happened?”
"You had a fever. You looked very sick. You said, um, that you had something to tell me, but then you passed out."
"Did the invisible monster make any noises? How did it kill your men? Cutting? Ripping? Smashing? Soul drain?" Aurealia asks Dolland.
"It bit them to death. Whatever it is, the creature has a powerful bite," answers Dolland. "Besides the sounds it makes while eating, it's uncannily quiet."
"Huh. Is anyone able to prepare a glitterdust spell? I can probably sniff it out, or use my ears to pinpoint it."
"I could just bomb it into submission for you," offers Dolland. He is still looking nervously at Croq.
Kallie interjects herself into the conversation. "Or, you know, you could use a bag of flour? Not everything has to be magic."
"Is it a small room then?" Aurealia asks Dolland.
To her other companions from the Cove she says, "I think I figured out a new transmutation last night. I should be able to turn into beast more suitable for combat than my normal self now. I think with my keen senses and new strength, and Dolland's bombs, that we can probably take whatever's in there without much difficulty. Then we can clear out the western side of the lower complex, and turn our attentions to the Vault. Agreed?"
"Flour doesn't last as long, especially against creatures who are borne to invisibility, or who can easily reapply it. I'll prepare glitterdust. "
Aurealia offers Jaya a high-five. Thanks, girl.
Cai’nan looks to Aurealia and says ”I...I had some crazy dreams...dreams of being a deino-...well...a bigger kind of velociraptor. Running through the jungle with a pack. When I woke this morning...my skin...it was still scaly for a few moments.”
He looks to the dirt and mumbles ”I dunno...”
After a sigh, he adds ”I can probably change into that and more, if I tried. Like a druid.”
Jaya couldn't help but wince. "Shapeshifting isn't an uncommon growth of a naturally-angled magical talent, but have you had any other experiences with therianthropy? Aside from those born to it," She smiled gently at Croq and Aurealia, "it is more often a curse than a blessing."
After breakfast and getting your spells and such in order, you venture down to the first level of the vault. The remnants of the Roadkeepers accompany you. Under penalty of a Drumstick to the face and a burning of his formula book if he tries anything, he is allowed access to his explosive supplies. Meanwhile, Galatea continues to sell Lullaby and her men on terrifying tales of the goblin betrayal, so they are more than content to keep their wagon hitched to your cause.
Croq easily tears off the boards to the blocked off room.
"Alright, just pinpoint the thing and then stand clear," says Dolland.
"That's cool!" Kallie offers excitedly. "Mama Ryli's a druid, and she can turn into all sorts of animals. Though she favors elementals. She tried talking me into learning the ways of the druid, but... well, that's a looong story and, heh, not really fun."
Aurealia strains her ears, and smells the room for the scent of anything.
Jaya pockets the anti-arrow potion and follows behind, periodically scanning to see if some new magical aura has gotten too close.
Kallie doesn't appear too interested in the magical items, figuring that the potions would be better in the hands (and bellies) of those in the front lines. She actively turns her nose up at the potion of reduce person, even though she knows it won't work on her.
She uncoils her whip and gets ready by casting mage armor.
Unfortunately, while Aurealia does smell the creature approaching, she is unable to avoid it taking a big bite out of her leg! For a brief instant, the monster becomes visible. Standing a six feet tall, it looks like some sort of walking fungus with a massive maw full of large, sharp teeth. It then fades from sight...
"Is it still there, Aurealia?" Jaya fished out a fistful of prepared fine ground mica, and prepared to hurl it upon their ambusher.
Kallie readies herself, planning to whip whatever the creature is when it appears again.
"It's right in front of me. It has to become visible to attack, make sure you're ready," Aurealia reveals as she carefully withdraws from the doorway.