Dalmien follows Eamch by about 30 feet, attempting to see the beings, ready to cast a spell if the need should arise.
Hearing the voices, Zoresk pulls his cloak from his blade, bathing the cavern in light again. Keeping a hold on his fauchard, he walks closer to the shadowy pair. Something doesn't seem right about this. Was their deceit in their voice? Zoresk keeps level with Eamch, lighting the way for the group.
Kord puts his weapon aside and assists Eamch, "Greetings friends, let's see if we can get you free."
Strength check:
Barek works to hide his weapons again as he also approaches the group. The con man certainly doesn't trust the new folks, as he tries to discern the truth (or lies) in their words.
Dalmien will approach the creatures, letting Kord and Eamch help out their friend.
"I'm glad there are other survivors. It's nice to see some friendly faces down here. My name's Dalmien, and my companions here will get your friends out in no time. Were you here long? Do you remember what happened earlier? We just sort of.. woke up in these caves.."
Shocked as he sees the features of the pair, Zoresk stifles a grasp and takes a firm hold on his fauchard. What are these creatures? Demonspawn? They aren't attacking us, but there's no indication that they're going to be friendly either. Zoresk holds his fauchard over the place Eamch is digging, providing light and looking for evidence of their buried companion as Dalmien makes his diplomatic entreaty.
"Yes, we're from the city...wait does that mean you're from down here? Kenabres was attacked by demons all of sudden...I don't remember much but it was a massacre up there"
From his conversation, Dalmien attempts to get some insight on the mutant's intentions
"I'm Kordica Carriway, Cleric of Gorum. Are you friends of the crusade? If so, we should work together. Can you help us get back to the surface?"
Kord will triage their wounds.
Dalmien winces as the mongrel replies, realizing Kord's involuntary faux pas.
"I apologize for my friend here. You see, Hulrun certainly seems to have hidden that fact from the wide public... In fact, most of us had no idea there were even people living under the city. Regardless, crusader or not, I think we are all in great danger right now"
Surprised by the mongrel's involvement with the crusade, Zoresk holds his lighted fauchard steady with one hand and makes a calming motion with the other, "No offense meant. We aren't actually with the Crusade, though I think all of us wish to see the vile demons of the World Wound cleansed. For my own part, I consider myself a loyal son of Sarkoris."
"I apologize. I didn't know. Still, we should work together. I'm a cleric, I can provide healing if you need it."
"Here, Dalmien, hold this and provide light and let me have a go of it. I'm a bit more suited to hauling around rocks and such." Handing over his fauchard, Zoresk stoops and begins digging into the rubble.
Barek just grumbles quietly about becoming like some mythical piper, the whole lot of them picking up every stranger along the way. Seeing no real danger to the current situation (and no real idea which way is out), he also attempts to help.
Kord will continue clearing rubble.
Slightly embarrassed, Dalmien takes Zoresk's Fauchard and lights the tunnel while they dig. In the meantime, he checks on the undercity dwellers, to see if they're still as hostile, and on Horgus, to make sure he isn't doing something to exacerbate the situation.
Kord nods, "Well met Herald. No need to thank us. Like I said, our groups need to work together. Let's dig out the others."
Kord keeps clearing rubble.
The fool man is going to lead the charge right into the middle of a swarm of demons." Rounding on the man, Zoresk grits his teeth and glares as he strides up. Angry with the man's one-note whining, Zoresk whispers to Horgus, "And if these people know a way out? We're all eager to move on, but use your brain, man. They seem to be more at ease down here then we are and that may well save us time overall should we spend a moment here and now. We also don't need any more enemies; we'll find plenty of those once we hit the surface!" His tirade complete, Zoresk unclenches his fists and turns back to the mongrels.
"Apologies for the outburst, we're just worried about what's going on in the city. Harsh as it may be, Horgus is likely right that your other friends are likely gone. I'm sorry for the loss." Zoresk gives them a moment's peace and silence to grieve. After a moment, he clears his thrat and says, "My name is Zoresk. A pleasure to meet all of you though, Valor, Crusade's-Gift, Herald. I wish it were under better circumstances. I don't suppose that you know the way back to the surface?"
"Well met , Valor. I am glad we were able to help at least you."
After hearing the invitation, In anticipation of Horgus' protest, Dalmien shoots him a dark stare, as if to remind him of their earlier conversation.
"Greetings Valor. I would be honored to visit your settlement. Thank you for the invitation."
Kord continues to clear rubble.
"It sounds...interesting, to say the least. Lead on and hopefully we'll find our way back above ground. Eventually."
Barek shifts slightly, from one foot to the other, as he watches intimidation techniques and overall strange social events.
Kord nods at Valor, "Of course."
He requests a moment of silence from the group,"Lord, please bless these brave souls. The path of the righteous mongrel man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil demons. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the world wound. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And know, demons of the world wound, that our lord will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those of you whom attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know that we are crusaders when we lay our vengeance upon you!"
"Fear not Herald. We'll figure something out."
Kord stares down the chasm, wary of danger. "Someone will have to take a rope and climb down and then climb back up the other side. Barek, are you up for it?"
"Horgus makes a fair point. If I count right, we had eight scales. Perhaps we should assign one of them to flying, so we can float over."
"The flight option makes most sense, really. Just make sure you have a bag or something that you can tie a rope to, so we can get the scale back to the rest of us. It's a much slower process but I'd rather that than take my chances with falling..."
He looks over at the deepness of the small cavern to prove his point.
Kord shakes his head."Don't ask me how I know, but I know my scale will not help with the chasm. Does anyone else have a scale with a power that could help? If not, I think we're going to have to climb."
Shrugging his shoulders, Zoresk says to the gropu, "I also am doubtful my scale would be useful for trying to fly across this chasm. Do we have a few spare? If not, I guess we'll have to resort to climbing together."