"The amulet...!" - Selka exclaims in shock as soon as she recognizes the symbol - "I recognize that symbol! It's the unholy symbol of Baphomet, demon lord of minotaurs and labyrinths!" - she takes another look at the bodies, frowning deeply - "These amulets are often carried by The Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, a secret society of demon worshippers. They strive to keep their vile practices secret... And what better way than to disguise themselves than as crusaders?" - Selka takes her eyes off the bodies and shakes her head - "They may even have killed some real crusaders just to steal their belongings and disguise themselves..."
Turning to Lann, Selka asks with concern - "You said that there are others in these tunnels... And their numbers have grown lately? This is terrible! They may have infiltrated Kenabres en masse! We need to get this information back to the surface!"
"I have long suspected that the Templars of the ivory Labyrinth, had infiltrate Kenabres but this is proof! We need to take the bodies with us so they can be identified by the church! If we can learn their identities we may be able to uncover some of their allies who are still hidden among the loyal faithful." says Aravashial who actually sounds delighted.
"Isn't too late for that?! The damage is done! We cant afford to be slowed down anymore than we already are by dragging two bodies along with us...Just leave them to rot, it's more than they deserve."
Anivia on her part is silent and carries a grim and worried expression.
"The amulet...!" - Selka exclaims in shock as soon as she recognizes the symbol - "I recognize that symbol! It's the unholy symbol of Baphomet, demon lord of minotaurs and labyrinths!" - she takes another look at the bodies, frowning deeply - "These amulets are often carried by The Templars of the Ivory Labyrinth, a secret society of demon worshippers. They strive to keep their vile practices secret... And what better way than to disguise themselves than as crusaders?" - Selka takes her eyes off the bodies and shakes her head - "They may even have killed some real crusaders just to steal their belongings and disguise themselves..."
Turning to Lann, Selka asks with concern - "You said that there are others in these tunnels... And their numbers have grown lately? This is terrible! They may have infiltrated Kenabres en masse! We need to get this information back to the surface!"
Tessai's expression is grim - "The fact that they are posing as followers of the Inheritor is even more disturbing - I cannot fathom the implications, and I shudder at the thought that it may be somewhat related to anything of what happened on the surface..."
"I have long suspected that the Templars of the ivory Labyrinth, had infiltrate Kenabres but this is proof! We need to take the bodies with us so they can be identified by the church! If we can learn their identities we may be able to uncover some of their allies who are still hidden among the loyal faithful." says Aravashial who actually sounds delighted.
"I am hoping that our word will serve as proof enough, because carrying these corpses with us is something I don't think we can carry out for many reasons - their stench may draw unwanted attention in these tunnels, the sheer weight may delay our travel... Unless we arrange for some sort of stretcher to carry them..." - she looks around at the group.
One thing is for sure, I will not leave this valuable gear here"[/b] - she adds practically, retrieving one of the chain shirts - "These are well crafted, and can prove useful for us" - she holds it in front of her, checking its size.
"And Varn, what do you make of this?" - she asks, displaying the potion and scroll on the floor.
We could bag the heads and continue on they might manage something with that. Unless one of you guy's are hiding a significant talent for drawing. As for you Horgus only luck has kept you alive if the next town you go to has people like these in them do you think you will survive another attack.
First admiring one of the chain shirts, Orlando is amazed at the discovery.
"The whole thing is incredible! I can see why they would disguise themselves to infiltrate Kenabres, but why do it down here?"
He tries to discern the Order of the Crusaders uniform the corpses are wearing.
,
Varn:
-Potion: Cure light wounds
-Scroll: unknown but you can tell it's divine magic.
Orlando:
The uniforms they are wearing are those commonly worn by the Band of the Eagle also known as the Eagle Watch.
Aeron looks abashed as he returns to his senses and stops pulling at the straps of his armor. He scopes up his hammer and thanks Raven for her assistance in bringing him back around to reality. He spends the next few moments fixing his armor while the others examine the corpses. The whole thing is befuddling to the large man. He approaches Selka with an ashamed look. "I am sorry I put you in such a bad position, thank you."
He then turns his attention to the bodies and stares at the uniforms for a moment. "We should take these uniforms to keep them from failing into evil hands again. Also, let us take whatever supplies we can from these demon worshipers and leave the corpses. Such foul folk do not deserve a proper burial..." He casts a disgusted look at the corpses.
After his allies finish dealing with who would want the loot he turns to the people the group is following and asks
Hw much longer till we reach your town and are there anymore hazards like the plant thing you can think of.
"The way should be clear from here. It should take around twenty minutes to reach it." replies Lann
Good all this is exhausting, huh you said something about an evil tribe that this lot worked with. Do you know anything you might be able to tell us, also do you have maps of this cave system in your village.
As she finishes checking out the corpses, Tessai nods at Varn - "All this is starting to gnaw on me - it seems there is some sort of coordinated effort in these tunnels - these men were garbed like this for a reason, and I would like to understand why"
Refitting her gear, she adds, reinforcing the elf words - "Any additional information may prove useful, but Varn is correct - let us get moving, we can talk while walking"
As the others get ready to leave, she decides to take a further look around the cave - "Varn, would this basidirond possess intelligence enough to gather some sort of valuables? He may have taken other victims and any resources we find could prove useful"
Selka listens attentively while the others express their opinions, but shakes her head at Aravashial's request - "We can't bring two dead bodies with us, it'd slow us down too much. If you think our word won't be enough, you can take that cursed thing with you as proof." - she says dismissively, pointing her spear at the unholy symbol.
Turning to their mongrelman guide - "Please Lann, now that the way is clear, take us to your town. We'll move as soon as everyone is ready."
You carry on and as Lann said it takes you around twenty minutes to reach the city.
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. You see a large stone building in the center and several other buildings cluster here and there on the outside of the lake. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake’s closest shore.
"Welcome to Neathholm, the city of the descendants of the first." says Lann motioning to the city.
He takes you down to the entrance were guards approach. "These people are guest, I am taking them to see the chief." says Lann
The guards nod and allow you to enter.
Lann takes you to the central building on the island and you are brought before the chieftain a fat mongrelman who appaears to be part rat.
He shares a few words in private with Lann and comes to meet you.
"I am chief, Sull leader of the descendants. I understand you saved one of mine. I thank you for your assistance and I will do what I can to help you but first I would learn more of how you came to be down here."
Raven is interested in the idea of the secret evil cultists, but not being part of an organized religion or order, she doesn't fully understand the implications. "So there are traitors in the midst of the Orders in Kenebres? Can't the warrior-priests sense evil amongst themselves? The few crusaders I have guided to Kenebres have had that ability. Most were quite proud of it. I also agree that most carried swords not these long polearms."
She also encourages Selka to take the tabard with the Eagle's Watch sigil on it, along with the minotaur symbol, will help tie together the story.
Raven is wonderstruck by the underground city. She never imagined a place like this under the earth, and while the mongrelmen are a bit eerie looking, she has found them to be only pleasant so far.
She is a bit taken aback by the rat-like leader, and steps back, biting her lip, when he questions the group, looking for one of the others to take point in the discussion
Looking at the chief Varn hesitates as he wonders if the pale eye is blind or not.
Chief Sull me and my associates were in the city of Kenabres when its wardstone was destroyed and it was besieged by the forces of the Abyss the destruction was so wide ranging that we ended up falling into the cave system. We only survived because the last action of the great silver dragon Terendelev was to cast feather fall even as a Baylor slew him.
Finished with his recount he relaxes, until he realizes that bastard noble will end up saying something stupid. He walks over to the noble and glares at him standing right next to him and prepared to shut him up f he tries to talk. Delay and tell him to shut up if he talks rudely.
"Much of your words make no sense to me but I understand that the surface city is under attack, that you and came here to avoid the devastation and that now you seek to return to the surface. It might not be easy the only way to the surface I know is blocked by men who came from above. They have converted a small tribe to the worship of some demonlord and have made many attempts to convince me to send attacks the surface on this very day. I have so far refused them, the people up there may shun and spurn us but we do not desire war with them." says the chieftain.
While very pleased by the mongrelmen's welcome and their reasonable behavior, the news Chief Sull delivers leave Selka troubled and uneasy.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Chief Sull, and even more for your decision not to help Kenabres enemies." - She nods toward the mongrelman - "The city is probably under attack as we speak, and we need to make haste and come to its defense. If the way to the surface is blocked by demon cultists, then even more reason for us to head that way. We'll dispatch their vile presence from your tunnels before proceeding to the surface".
Orlando pitches in to aid another (Diplomacy).
"My friends, we are truly grateful for your succor in this day of our need. The city that is the bulwark of the defense against the hordes of the Abyss is under attack, and we must do what we can to return to the fight. If the way is closed, we will open it. If the way is guarded, we will beat them. Together, there is no way they can win. All of us! Together; to Victory!"
The chief nods "I suspected you would say as much. Lann has volunteered to lead you to the heretic encampment that blocks the exit. You may rest in the city as long as you need to and seek him out when you want to leave. If you reach the surface tell the leader of whatever captain leads your forces that the people Neathholm are no friends to demons and demon-worshipers and if they request it and promise to treat us with respect we will send warriors to the surface to fight." he says
Aeron had stayed quiet while the other parleyed with the Chief, diplomacy and all that was not where he excelled. Put an enemy before his hammer and he could work wonders, but words were not the fighter's forte. He, instead, looks around at the room and examines all the different mongrelmen around; he felt a sadness for the pure creatures.
When the chief mentions sending warrior to aide the beleaguered city above, Aeron lowers his head respectfully. "We thank you, Chief. I will make sure your people get the respect their due." He looks back up and nods his head.
Raven, more of do-er than a talker, takes a backseat as discussion with the chief goes on. She can't think of a thing to add to the conversation, and so stays out of it.
As it looks like Lann will lead a group to the enemy camp, Raven takes a place beside him trying to get a sense of his ability to guide and lead underground.
Tessai takes more of an observing stance as her companions seem to be handling the situation efficiently. At the chieftain informs them of the presence of "men from above, that have converted others to demon worship, and are intent on attacking the surface", she feels the blood boil, enacting an almost overpowering will to just stride forth and put them down. She dismisses it for the time being, but it remains as a buzz at the back of her head.
When the chief mentions sending warrior to aide the beleaguered city above, Aeron lowers his head respectfully. "We thank you, Chief. I will make sure your people get the respect their due." He looks back up and nods his head.
Nodding, she adds - "I make Aeron's, and my companion's words my own - word will be passed along of your actions here, and any misconceptions about your people will be brought to light" - she bows shortly to the chief - "Thank you for your hospitality - would you allow us to debate the matter amongst ourselves, so we can decide how to proceed, and what amount of rest we may need?"
Chief before we head to the surface I would like to know if there is a place I can rest and replenish my spells before we head to the surface.
"Of course I will have Lann take you to a house you can use to rest."
Once you are ready to go Lann takes you to a nearby two story building.
"Those who lived here are among those who left to join the cultist, many felt it was a way to get revenge for the way our ancestors were treated but it was only a small minority who actually went and joined them. Use the home as you wish, there are only two beds I'm afraid but we can spare some bedrolls if you need them. says Lann
Before going to bed Varn carefully inspects the house with detect magic.
Waking up and putting away his bedroll Varn sits and scribes the new spells that came to his mind over the night and prepares himself for the rest of the day.
He also fishes out and reads the spellbook and 2 scrolls belonging to the dwarf.
Tessai unloads the loot she has been carrying - "We need to sort through this, and keep only whatever is useful to us"
Varn walks over to the pile and adds the magical items he had been looking at before.
Here is the stuff I had difficulty identifying earlier. There is a +1 dagger here, a potion of lesser restoration and a potion of mage armor along with a scroll of shocking, grasp resist energy and cause fear. I will be holding onto the scroll of resist energy but I think we should sell the other scrolls they aren't that useful in scroll form.
Looking over the pile of objects
Didn't we find this copper brooch in that camp with the mongrel man bones should we check if it belongs to someone here?
"Oh! I had forgotten all about that strange thing. Yes, of course, that sounds reasonable." - Selka nods at Varn's suggestion - "We could try to ask Lann if he knows somemething about it."
When you get the chance you ask Lann about a store and an amulet.
He tells you about a mongrelman named Varik who buys and sells trinkets and occasionaly makes the trip to the surface to trade however he has not been able to make the trip in some time and his selection may be limited.
His eyes become wide in surprise when he sees the amulet. [b]"You should show it to the chief...It belonged to his son."[\b] he says
Varn places his head back on the nearest wall
Oh wonderful we get to tell the chief about his dead son. I am not good with social situations maybe a few of you could do that while me, Tessai and anyone who wants to join us go check on that merchant. If you guys can think of anything you want we can check if its there for you?
Aeron sets his gear to one side while they look over the gear they have acquired since the fall of Kenabres... his home. When he hears Lann mention the amulet belonged to the chief's son he closes his eyes with a whispered prayer to Torag to grant the mongrelman chief strength to bear this burden. "I will take the amulet to the chief. Tessai should come with me, she is our best speaker... I think. I am not good with words. Perhaps the rest of you could see the shopkeeper."
Raven shrugs and shoulders the heavy pack of items to be taken to the shop keeper.
She motions to Orlando to accompany her. "Come, Orlando. I saw you performing on the surface, and know you have a better way with words than you have shown so far. I trust you will not let us down in bargaining with the mongrel trader. If not, Mother Cleric may have to bash you on your cute little head."
She mock punches him on the shoulder, as she chides him.
Tessai does not really know how to handle the idea of her being a speaker, much alone the best one in the group - in her head, good speakers do it out of strong convictions, and are able to stir emotion in others - they are either inspired, good performers, or tricksters - she doesn't believe to be any of it, but still nods at Aeron - "I will accompany you - it will be harsh news for sure, if this tragedy is confirmed, but still is something that needs to be spoken with honesty"
She leaves the gear to be traded with Raven, and moves to leave - "Let us go then Aeron"
Selka nods gravely - "I'll come too. The chief must be desperately looking for his missing son. I only hope this news, while terrible, will bring him some peace, and closure..."
She puts her hand on Tessai's shoulder - "I'm sorry you have to be the bearer of such horrible news. Speak with your heart, and you'll find the words." - her hand glows softly with golden light for a brief moment. When she takes it away, a divine blessing is left behind.
Orlando takes Raven's punch with good grace. He takes a pained look on his face.
"Yes, yes, I am due for a good performance. I don't know what is wrong with me; I swear I am usually much better..."
Ok so you split into groups
Group 1
You meet the merchant and he is delighted to see you and is quick to show his wares and give you his most reasonable prices. What he has and prices he gives:
Wondrous items:
+1 Buckler: 1,450 gp
+1 Dagger: 2,500 gp
+1 Heavy pick : 1,900 gp
Everburning torch: 150 gp
Ring of protection +1: 2,500 gp
Bracers of armor: +1 1,500 gp
Pearl of Power: (1st level spell) 1,500 gp
Wand of cure light wounds (20 charges) : 700 gp
Potions and elixirs (only has 1 of each):
Elixir of hiding: 250 gp
Elixir of vision: 250 gp
Potion of cure light wounds: 65 gp (1st level)
Potion of expeditious retreat: 65 gp (1st level)
Potion of spider climb: 65 gp (1st level)
Potion of bears endurance: 500 gp (3st level)
Potion of bull's strength: 500 gp (3rd level)
Potion of cat's grace: 450 gp (3rd level)
Potion of invisibility: 450 gp (3rd level)
Potion of resist elements (fire): 450 gp (3rd level)
Potion of fly: 1,000 gp (5th level)
Potion of haste: 1,000 gp (5th level)
Group 2
You go see the chief and show him the amulet and tell him of his son's demise. He takes the amulet as his one good eye gets a bit misty. The last time I saw him we had an argument. He said ignoring the cultists and the traitors wasn't enough, that we should fight them. After I refused to send anyone to attack the cultist camp he took a few of his friends and they left to seek out an alternative path to the surface. I believe he wanted to warn your city of the danger lurking beneath in hopes that you would send someone to take care of them. I guess this means they intercepted him somehow...I thank you for returning this to me...I have something to give you in return, a magical morningstar that was going to be a gift to my son...Just promise me to use it to crush at least on traitors skull.
He gives you a +1 morningstar that glows a pale blue color. (this magic weapon glows like a torch, the light cannot be turned off.)
Hello good sir while I can see you have many wonderful objects my group is only interested in selling a few items. Just a few things a light crossbow, a glaive, a spiked gauntlet, a longspear, and (Selka Orlando and Raven old armor).
Edit: when we get back taking 10 for 21 on the mace.
"I..." - Tessai stammers - "We thank you for the magnificent gift" - she stares at the pale blue shine emanating from the weapon, then turns back to the chief - "I am truly sorry to be the bearer of the saddest of news... Your son's abnegation will not be forgotten by me, or any of us - his attempt to carry word of whatever deviant schemes are afoot was a valiant one"
Taking to one knee, she adds with a fierce look - "I am yet to understand what my true calling is, but this I vow - as your son lost his life in trying to assist the surface, only if my last breath is cut out from me will I be stopped from offering you any assistance I can" - her tail moving menacingly, as if poised to strike.
Standing up again, she fisnishes - "You can count on our best" - then takes a few steps behind, allowing room for any of her companions if they want to speak.
When it's his turn...
Orlando purses his lips; "I..."
He hesitates and glances at Tessai.
"...can only add my weight to Tessai's words. No others could be needed to represent our feelings in this, your day of grief."
The merchant inspect your goods "I can give you 200 gold coins for this, or if you prefer to trade you could trade all this for one of these fantastic potions!"
-Potion of cat's grace: 450 gp (3rd level)
-Potion of resist elements (fire): 450 gp (3rd level)
"...or if you want you can trade all this for these 3 potions and hum...This torch that never goes out! As an added bonus you also cant burn or set yourself on fire with this one!"
-Everburning torch: 150 gp
-Potion of cure light wounds: 65 gp (1st level)
-Potion of expeditious retreat: 65 gp (1st level)
-Potion of spider climb: 65 gp (1st level)
Turning to the other's Varn shrugs and puts his hands up placing the burden of the choice on their shoulder's.