For several weeks, excitement has been building in Kenabres—Armasse is coming! Traditionally an opportunity for scholars and priests to come together to study the lessons of history from wars past, since Aroden’s death, this holy day has become more about training commoners in weaponry, choosing squires, and ordaining new priests. Over time, Armasse has grown to encompass jousting competitions, mock duels, battle reenactments, and other festival events. In Kenabres, the festival (which takes place on 16 Arodus) is eagerly anticipated, for it provides distractions from the horrors of being on the front line of the war. Smiles on faces normally marred by downcast eyes and furrowed brows do wonders for city morale in the weeks leading up to the event.
Armasse is a citywide celebration, but the majority of the event, including its jousting matches and other entertainments, takes place at Clydwell Plaza, just west of the cathedral. You've been lucky enough to get good spots to observe the opening ceremonies at noon.
Athraz counts himself lucky to have such a good sight of the jousting matches, thanks in part to the elderly priestess he travels with enlisting him as her bodyguard. Most would consider having a kobold to be a poor choice of bodyguard, and the number of stares he gets confirms the suspicion. Still, Athraz is quietly hoping somebody starts something, if only for the chance to finally prove his worth as a warrior. His devotion had let him tap into the draconic blood he carried... now, in front of the whole city would be a fine time to show it off.
However, most seem content to let the elder holy woman pass by unmolested. After all, she was clearly a devotee of Iomedae, and in this city, attacking or swiping from someone like her would no doubt yield a mob ready to lynch the offender. However, Athraz kept his eyes peeled, because the old woman told him something fascinating: today's Armasse festival was supposed to be attended in disguise by none other than the silver dragon herself, Terendelev. That would be SO cool to meet her. And then she could take me under her wing, and teach me more stuff, and I'll become a true dragon, and than I can wipe out the whole Worldwound and become a cool hero and- oops!
Athraz had become so enraptured at his daydream that he forgot he was supposed to be keeping up with his "ward", pushing through the crowd to catch up to her.
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Turt grimaces as all around him, fair goers pushed and shoved to get to there places of interest in the city. This was not what he had expected to find when he had first got here to buy supplies. The city had almost completely changed in a single night from a community who were constantly terrified of the worldwound, to a party goers dream...it honestly baffled him.
But if this is what they did to curb there fear, then who was he to question it?
Looking back to his now full bag of road supplies, he contemplates leaving as the atmosphere and noise of Kenebras was very grating on the ears of the former noble
But he was curious...there supposedly was to be a ceremony at the end of the day and Turt always did wish to see the beautiful building it was to be held in
Alekto woke early in the morning. The place she'd found was on top of one of the taller buildings in Kenabres. It afford a wonderful view of the city, but little in the way of protection from the wind, and the air was cool as the sun arose. She packed everything up after a brief moment to pray and eat something for breakfast, habits she'd adopted shortly after she'd been brought back to Kenabres four years ago. It was looking to be a good day, and already she could catch a whiff of the many dishes being prepared. She'd have to hurry and finish getting if she wanted to get those pastries from Alfsigr.
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She was surprised she'd found such a good spot to observe the ceremonies happening at noon. Normally, she would have been too far away to hear anything and the only way she would have been able to see would be to climb onto a roof nearby. Maybe she'd be able to watch the jousting from as good of a spot as this one.
Still, she thought, it doesn't make up for not being able to get those pastries she wanted to give to Brie and her fellows patrolling the streets. Alfsigr was making more, but they wouldn't be ready until after the ceremonies, and likely the first round of jousting.
"Sorry Brie, I'll make sure to camp out at Alfsigr's next year," she mutters to herself as the Ceremonies were about to start.
Rukzha had been to the Armasse before of course, having lived in the city practically all her life. Still, this was an opportunity to observe and learn from the vast gathering of different people and she wasn't going to pass that up. Of course a number of people from the Order of Heralds were participating in the jousting and mock battles, she was looking forward to watching her friends as well.
The half-orc turns her heavily tattooed face towards the armored man standing next to her, her braided hair as well as the mask slung over her back swaying with the movement. "Too bad there isn't a way to use bombs in the mock battles Marcos, but we don't make them nonlethal. I don't fancy my skills with regular weapons too much. You will have to win them for me." The two has quite opposite looks. Him clearly a knight, all dressed up in armor, a sword slung along his side, with fair skin and short blond hair. In contrast she doesn't have any armor, just a simple robe, though she does have all sorts of pouches, sacks, vials and jars strapped to her in addition to the gruesome mask. It is hard to make out the color of her skin beneath the myriad of colorful tattoos covering most of the skin she has visible, but it is faintly green, a sign of her orcish heritage. The blonde man laughs. "You crazy sappers! Bombs? What sort of weapon is that? Iomedae bless my sword, that's all I need." With one hand he raises a holy symbol of Iomedae to his lips while the other briefly touches the hilt of his sword. Rukzha raises her own holy symbol in response. "Iomedae bless us all. Still, a girl just wanna have fun too, you know?" Rhukzha shakes her head in disappointment of not getting to participate in that part of the festival. The jars hanging from her back clink against each other as she does so. Her voice lightens up slightly as she jumps to a new topic. "Since I can't fight, I hope I can find some schoolar or craftsman to learn from. There is so much to learn in the world, and only so much time. There are all sorts of people here for this."
Selene wanders through the crowds, attempting to look at everything all at once. Her long braid lays in a loop down her back, and her helmet hangs from her belt. Thought she is armored her arms are bare revealing her twin tattoos bearing Sarenrae and Iomedae's holy symbols. Her face is calm and a friendly smile adorns it, but inside a small knot of anxiety sits in her belly. After long training she was deemed worthy of her mantle and after the seclusion of the temple barracks and the discipline of the practice yard, this chaotic mass of humanity is a bit overwhelming. Still, despite this she is in high spirits, and is excited to be a part of the festivities. She carefully makes her way to a spot that offers her a good view.
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"...and I'm lost" Turt's grumble was drowned out by the fair goers loud hollering. Stopping in the middle of the street, he turns all around, asking any one who past him, if they would kindly give him directions to the site of the ceremony. promptly ignored and slightly discouraged, he finds a bench and let's his head fall into his hands
"why is this city so big?" leaning into the bench, Turt spends a couple minutes rest his feet before getting up to continue his search.
Hopefully he'll find the church in time...
Rukzha spots the woman with the bare tattooed arms walking through the crowd. Her attention is instantly diverted to something quite familiar to her. She prods her companion on the arm and points with a smile. "See there, what beautiful tattoos. I'm going to go have a closer look." The man shakes his head. "Suit yourself."
With a skip in her step the exotically adorned half-orc with the fearsome mask walks over to the bare-armed warrior. She studies the arms for a moment before looking to her face, for a moment forgetting common courtesy. "My what beautiful tattoos. And one of them is even the one of the Light of the Sword herself. Mind if I take a closer look? Tattoos are so interesting. They don't take too long to make, but make them shoddy and you will wear the shame for your lifetime, while proper craftmanship can uplift your spirits each and every day." She starts to pull up the arms of her own plain clothes to her shoulders to reveal the myraid of colorful tattoos adorning her arms as well. They are quite masterfully made. Seemingly blending perfectly in with the patterns there are several scars, some old, some of newer make. "Beautiful tattoos for a beautiful day. What does the other one symbolize?" She smiles and finally look at the face of her subject, though as of yet she hasn't introduced herself.
"A good sign, isn't it? So many souls willing to beat back the darkness that threatens the world." An elderly female's voice pipes up from behind Turt, and it belongs to an old, but still toughened priestess of Iomedae. Behind her, a kobold with dirty red-orange scales pants lightly as he jogs up behind the woman. "I take it you are not used to Kenabres proper, hm? I hope you don't have to leave so soon, the opening ceremony will be starting, and I would hate for anyone to miss it. Do you have a seat for the event? I'm sure we could find you a seat with us, if you care to join."
Athraz eyed the human warily as his priestess made small talk with him "I don't know, milady... he looks shifty to me. I bet he's looking to start something any minute - just look at those furrowed brows!" The priestess chuckled as she waved off the kobold's accusation. "Don't mind Athraz too much. He's always so serious, and he truly means well. He may not be Kenabres' largest champion, but I would be hard pressed to find another soul more dedicated to defending her." The kobold bows his head as if bashful of the compliment.
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"hmm?..." Turt muses as he turns to face the elderly priestess. A relieved smile forms on his face, finally someone who wasn't too absorbed in themselves to help someone.
Raising a hand and sheepishly scratching the scales on the right side of his face "oh, uh yeah is it that obvious?" he asks, slightly amused "...but yes, I would like to see the ceremony myself, if you would show me?"
Leaning to the the side, he looks surprised at the sight of a kobold. "...are you a Nagaji...?" he stops then contemplates his next words "...that's small?"
Selene blinks, her mask of calm slipping a little around the eyes. She looks down at her own arms for a moment, before the question really registers. She gives her head a little shake, the moment of uncertainty passed, and her smile broadens. "Oh, these? Thank you. Um, yes, go ahead and look."
She looks over the stranger with an appraising eye. Taking in tattoos and scars alike. "You've quite the assemblage yourself. They're very well done, lovely even. As for mine... she angles her arm to allow a better view of the Winged Anhk, "...this is the symbol of Sarenrae; protector and redeemer. One of my patrons."
She leans slightly, craning her neck to get a look at the mask hanging down her back. Her eyes widen a bit as she takes it in. "Now that is something else, is it a battle mask of some sort?"
None of you remember anything that happened after these brief interactions you all wake up somewhere and it's pitch black. Your heads throb as you cough up dust. feeling around you can feel rocks, gravel, dust, trace amounts of sand and other debris. Having trouble breathing and not being able to see you all spend a few moments attempting to figure out what's going on.
To the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens.A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd—Kenabres’s greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature’s identity was immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres!
As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev’s body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiraled downward toward the crowd.The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one no witness would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. The rift it created shot across the plaza, and this time there was no escape—it opened below your feet, angling away into darkness.Even as you fell, the dragon noticed your plight. Though she saw death standing over her, she seized this final chance to save a few more souls. After she uttered a few arcane words and stretched out a bleeding talon, you felt her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were feathers falling into a pit. Yet the fall remained as inexorable, and as you drifted downward into the depths, the last thing you saw was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck. As her severed head fell, the rift above you slammed shut, and the light of the world above was gone.
Selene coughs violently, as soon as she is able to speak she mutters a few words and makes a gesture. Four balls of light appear in the air and begin floating around the area. "Is everyone alright?" With a grunt she pulls herself upright.
that's fine so you know there is an Out of character text format that turns your text blue
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Turt opens his eyes and is greeted by darkness, which is quickly replaced with light and somebodys voice. Slowly pulling himself up, Turt starts some small stretches to get the kinks in his back out. When finished, he Glace around bleary-eyed, trying to find someone"...hello, are you friendly?"
With out waiting for a response, Turt walks slowly towards the light
Rukzha coughs and sputters as she tries to get up. "*cough* Where am I? Phewt, what happened?" She looks around in the darkness, while getting up and see a scattering of people and bodies lying across the floor. "Hello?" The half-orc dusts herself off, then quickly inspects the various jars and vials hanging for her, to her surprise finding that nothing is broken. When the lights come on she half-smiles at Selene. "My head throbs, but I'm otherwise alright? What about you?"
She looks down at her feet and lets out a shriek, ending in a sob. "Eyeeeehhugh, ugh. No!" There, from underneath a huge bolder peeks forth the head of a blond man. He is lifeless and blood has pooled underneath him. "Marcos! How could this happen? What did happen?" She shakes her head and continues sobbing as a rush of memory flood back. "The demon! Kenabres! Oh, no! Who can stand against them if not Terendelev?" Her last question is directed at the others as she finally raises her head up again to look over at them.
For a moment, Alekto was back in the Worldwound, a prisoner of a spiteful thug and his cronies, but the panic passes she hears the others speak. Slowly she gets to her feet, feeling unsteady as her head throbs. Her cloak's hem had been ripped into a tattered mess, but by some miracle, everything else was in place, even all of her arrows in the quiver on her back. She follows the sounds of the others, hoping that they could find some way out of this place.
As she steps into the light more fully, the others can see a woman, her face covered by both shadow and scarf. Her clothing is dark, mostly blacks and greys. She stands a little above five feet, and even with the bulk of armor, it's plain she's of slight frame. Her eyes are large, and dark, and are about the only thing that can be seen under the hood of her cloak.
"Other than feeling like I cracked my head on something, I am fine," she says in a soft, sweetly toned voice, "the light helps, though, thanks, whoever cast it."
Looking about, she spots five others that look intact, more or less, and begins to go to each of them and see if they are alive.
"As for fighting the Storm King, let's try getting out of here first," she says to Rukzha
Entirely up to you, but if you want, we can have our characters know each other from patrolling around Kenabres. If you want to go with that, here's a few things that Esmerelda may have picked up.
-Alekto always keeps her face covered, always. When ever she eats, it's away from everybody else.
-Brie, a cleric of Iomedae, and John Bones, a ranger of Erastil, seem to be her closest, and only, friends among the guard.
-She has a habit of dodging questions about herself.
-She is a fairly decent cook.
-She's friendly with people, but she isn't very open about herself. Whatever secrets she's hiding, Brie and Bones, as John Bones is often called, are in on it.
-She always seems to be more nervous when getting close to, or going into the Worldwound.
Again, up to you if we do this. I thought it'd be interesting to have Esmerelda and Alekto know each other beforehand.
Selene meet the eyes of the handsome young man and give him a wan smile, but as she opens her mouth to speak again she is cut short by Rukzha's cries. Half-crawling, half-running; she scrambles over to the distraught half-orc. Shoving aside the question of Kenabres, Selene lays a hand on the dead man's forehead and speaks softly. "Rest now. May the Inheritor open the way for you. May you walk with the valorous and be judged worthy." This done, she turns to Rukzha and reaches out a hand to lightly rest on the woman's shoulder. "Do not despair: the Dawn always brings new light." Selene speak with what she hopes is more confidence than she feels. Silently she laments the poise and control more seasoned warrior-priests always seem to have, as the fear and outrage of the day's events gnaw at her innards. She lets her gaze drift around the room. "Is anyone hurt?"
She meets the gaze of the approaching shrouded woman and nods. "Yes, you're right, of course. She looks up at the now sealed rift. "But I don't think we're leaving the way we came."
Looking around you see a small slender woman of about 5' tall. She wares leather and has a bow. She remained quiet at first but as you all begin to interact she responds.
"Hello? Who are you all and where...where are we?" Suddenly the rush of memories come backs and she winces in pain. before anyone can respond
"Wait I remember now. We fell and Telendrav...oh Gods why? I must...We must get back to the surface I hope Irabeth is ok. She has to be she's a strong woman something like this she'll thrive I know she will. Oh how rude my name is Anevia Tirabade who are you all?
She seems to know two of the people in this room with you a noble man and an elf (the other two NPCs)
"OH NO OH NO LOOK AT THIS IT'S RUINED THIS OUTFIT WAS OVER 200 GOLD. THESE SCRATCHES AND BLEMISHES WILL TAKE WEEKS TO GET RID OF GODS WHY ME WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME."
This man is well dressed short and plump he's very obviously a wealthy nobleman at his side is a rapier.
"My house oh no I hope it's ok we must return to the surface quickly so to access the damage I swear if those ruffians out there are looting there will be legal action taken. It's decided if you all can take me to the surface I shall be generous enough to reward you with the sum of 1000 gold pieces to be split amount yourselves. Of course Anevia you have enough of my money already so you won't be receiving any. And Aravashnial....well you know why you won't be getting any."
realizing he hasn't introduced himself yet
"Ah yes that's right my name is Horgus. Horgus Gwerm I'm your new benefactor I'm sure it's your pleasure."
The elf grabs a cloth and ties it around his eyes or where his eyes used to be that is.
"Identify yourselves and what your capabilities are I'll be leading this group I am Aravashnial and I need to know who can do what. I've been to the world wound countless times and I'm certain I'm the most qualified. I will need someone to be my personal guard and my eyes it will be the strongest of you all. After that the other fighting types will lead the way protecting us wounded"
He coughs up blood as he says this and you start to notice just how hard he was hit his face covered in burns and what will obviously be scars for his entire life no matter how much healing he receives.
"Anevia I see I'm stuck here with you I suppose it could be worse..."
"Ah Horgus yes um you can stay in the back with m....or the front...you just stay safe and don't uh let yourself get in harms way...or uh the people who are more abl....not that you aren't able but um ah...." his voice trails off as he sheepishly shuffles his feet.
"NO! NOOOOOOO! Must! Get! Back! Up!" From nearby, the sound of a yappy voice, accompanied by a multitude of scrapes and gnashes against stone, sounds out. Athraz appears to be desperately trying to clamber back up the cavern wall. "I have to get back! I have to! She's my ward! I have to protect Lady Espera and her church, noooooo!!!" After a few more tries, the kobold just stares back up at the wall silently, before clenching his hands and yelling angrily at the ceiling.
"...I failed. I had one task, and I failed her." Athraz plops down on a large chunk of debris as he hangs his head. "She saved my life, and after all my training, my studies, my devotion... Apsu, I tried. So why? Why wasn't I strong enough?" He sits alone and silent for a few more moments, before standing up and clenching his claws. "I have to get back up there. No matter the cost."
Athraz turned to eye the others, moving closer, but clearly uncomfortable around the light. "...I will." he stated, looking at Rukzha. "If... If her majesty, Terendelev, is gone, then as the only other dragon of Kenabres, I will take her place... somehow..." Looking at the others, he assesses them for a moment before pressing his palms together. "Gather around. I will do my best to heal your wounds." Athraz inhaled deeply, before exhaling out a long burst of cooling wind, circling it around to encompass everyone.
"Thank you Selene, I'm sure his soul rests easier now." Rukzha thanks Selene before gathering herself and walking over to the others.
She looks to Aravashnial as he speaks. "Yes, getting to the surface is our first goal. Taking stock of our capabilities and resources is a good thing. I am Rukzha Kerzuk. I know some magic, can mix together brews to produce similar effects to magic and I can also make fiery bombs which can wreck havok on our opponents. Having the most experienced of us be the leader is a good thing, then it should be easier to quickly come to the correct solution." She looks the elf up and down. "But to quickly come to a decision one needs to know what's going on. Without your sight, I'm not sure how easy that'll be."
Selene, noticing the kobold's unease, moves the light away from him slightly to leave him in shadow. "Peace, friend, peace. Gods willing, all will be set to rights."
Concern and irritation war at the fibrillations of the noble, but she keeps her voice smooth. "Calmly, sir. I'm sure we'll make it out just fine."
Turning to the woman who introduced herself as Anevia: "Under the circumstances, I expect no one will begrudge you a breach of manners. I'm Selene Kelnir." She directs this last to the group at large.
Finally, turning to the injured elf: "While I have no doubt of your experience and ability, sir, you seem to be hurt quite badly. I suggest you don't overextend yourself."
Alekto sighs at the nobleman's bluster. She may not have been as experienced as Bones, but she was still experienced enough to know most of the truly dangerous monsters were attracted to noise they heard in their territory.
Might as well see if she could at least secure the cavern they were in.
Wonder if I should tell him about the Paladin who didn't shut up and listen to Bones that one time. Then again, he's probably one of those "never-happen-to-me" types that Bones told stories to Brie and I about.
Athraz nods back to Selene, evidently grateful to the relocation of her light. "It will be. I have to get back and set things right." The kobold looked at the others down with him, particularly the loud noble fellow. He reminds me of my old chief... bluster belies insecurity.
Pressing his fists together at the knuckles, Athraz bowed to the elf. "My name is Athraz, Redeemed Champion of Apsu... only champion of Apsu, that I know of... I've spent a great deal of time at the temple of the priestess Espera, who saved my life from the city guard when I was little. I owe her and the woman who guided me back from the Worldwound my life... and so far, I have failed to repay them for their kindness. I have studied and trained to become a dragon like- ...like Terendelev... now that she is gone, I am the only dragon Kenabres has left... lowly as I am. I have to return to the surface and drive back the invaders in her stead. I can fight claw to hand, and I have some divine magic at my disposal... I may be small, but I would be best at the front."
With those diplomacy checks all three of the NPC's become friendly toward you all nice work Selene. With Alekto's perception check she notices (and I assumes points out to everyone else) two giant maggots on the ground.
The following is a description of the room your in "The ceiling and far walls of this vast cavern recede into darkness. On one side, the wall has collapsed in an enormous mound of rubble—here and there the arms or legs of victims who didn’t survive the fall protrude. In the back of the cavern, a disturbing shape looms. Nearly the size of a horse, what appears to be an immense black spider crouches silent and still on the ground"
Roll Initiative everybody
The lights focus on the spider as Selene begins reaching for her sword.
Athraz blinks up at the giant spider, before growling and leaping to a battle stance, claws flexed into straight palms as he prepares for battle.
"And this, ladies and gents, is why you want to keep your voices down when you're not sure who or what's about," Alekto says in a deadpan voice as the maggots go on the attack and she nocks an arrow, "do try to avoid embarrassing yourself, Horgus, and keep the girlish screaming to a minimum."
"There are always numerous dangers lurking in the darkness, we should stay on our guard." Rhukzha says as she looks about for any sign of danger.
Aravashinal 21
Selene 18
Maggots 18
Horgus 17
TurtSnacko 15
Anevia 12
Orn Longclaw 8
Rukzha 8
Alekto 6
Everyone is within 20ft of the maggots and can get there in 1 move action.
Blind as I am I cannot see what is happening direct me where to use my magic and I will help. I have access to the following spells:
3rd—heroism, magic circle against evil, summon monster III
2nd—acid arrow, levitate, resist energy, summon monster II
1st—mage armor, shield, sleep (DC 15), summon monster I, true strike
0 (at will)—acid splash, arcane mark, detect magic, flare (DC 14)
Aravashnial holds his action waiting for direction (He will only listen to the PC's because he has reasons to not trust the other two)
Horgus will ready an action to attack the maggots if they come within striking distance to him.
Protect me please don't let them ruin my clothes
Anevia readies an action to strike one of the maggots if they come within striking distance. As she adjusts to ready her sword she lets out a small yelp of pain you all notice that she seems to be nursing her leg a little bit.
I'm low on arrows I'll use my sword for now.
The spider isn't in the init on purpose
Drawing her weapon in a fluid motion as she strides forward, she slides into a practiced stance and delivers a slash at one of the maggots.
Athraz stays at the ready for battle, but looks back at the other characters down there with them. "Giant maggots! But... it looks as if our companions have them well in hand. Save your magic. Just stay behind me, I will ensure your safety!" he recommended.
Eyeing Anevia's leg, he moved back to aid her, allowing her to use him as a support... or as much as he could, given how small he was. "You are favoring your leg... is it broken?" The kobold raced through his mind as he tried to think if he had anything to help. He didn't think he had the magic to fix it... that would take something stronger. But perhaps he could aid her injury a little.
The first maggot falls as the mighty blow from Selene rips it in two. The second maggot attacks Selene being the only enemy in range
Seeing the maggot attack his new companion Turt pierces the second maggot through it's brain destroying the monster.
After investigating the spider you find that it is just a corpse that the maggots were eating out of.
Athraz makes a splint for Anevia's leg out of the surrounding rubble and finds her a walking stick to use allowing her to walk albeit at a reduced speed (15ft instead of 30).
After defeating the two monsters and having a chance to look around you find 6 silver dragon scales in the side of the cavern wall. After you go and investigate them you clearly see that they are the scales of the silver dragon Telendrave. Each PC takes one and you all immediately identify the power held within each one.
Athraz
Turt
Rukzha
Alekto
Selena
Power 1 Cloud walking: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast levitate. A pillar of roiling clouds rises below the levitating object or creature, growing and shrinking with the target’s altitude. This pillar is 5 feet in diameter (regardless of the target’s size) and provides concealment (20% miss chance) to any creature or object wholly contained within.
Power2 Disguise: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast alter self. While disguised, the target gains a +4 bonus on all Bluff checks made against evil creatures.
Power 3 Resistance: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast resist elements—but only against electricity or cold.
Power 4 Sacred Weaponry: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale can be used to cast align weapon, but only to make a weapon lawful or good. Unlike a normal align weapon spell, this effect can be cast on an unarmed strike or natural weapon.
http://archivesofnethys.com/MagicArtifactsDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Terendelev% 27s%20Scales
From here you all have a choice to move either left or right. I will post a map tomorrow but the track pad on my laptop is messed up so I have to wait till I go to school tomorrow to upload it and post a link.
Alekto lets out a sigh of relief as the fight ends with no one worse for the wear.
"Well, now that is over with, I suppose I should warn you that blustering won't do any good, and will likely get you killed," the masked woman tells Horgus in a quiet, but hard, voice, "who knows what else lurks here. Next time it might not be maggots, but something worse that decides to see if it can eat the fool blundering through its lair and shouting like an idiot."
That said she turns to the others with a small bow.
"Forgive my earlier rudeness, but I thought it better to see if this place was safe or not than to introduce myself. I am just a humble archer and scout, and if Miss Tirablade would like, I can split what arrows I have with her. As for my skills, well. I've been making a living helping to patrol the area around Kenabres and I'm not dead yet. I'm also a half-decent cook, or so Bones tells me. Luckily, I remembered to bring my pot and pan with me today," she says, a twinkle in her eyes at the joke.
"There's two paths ahead. I know everyone wants to get back to the surface, but we have no idea how to or what we'll face. Let me look down each of them and see if I can find the right path."
Assuming no one objects, Alekto goes down the passages, first the right, then the left, going about a hundred fifty feet or until it intersects with another passage before turning back.
Pulling a piece of cloth from her pouch, Selene swiftly cleans her sword and armor from the dripping ichor left by the wretched creatures.
Speaking quietly: "Scout ahead, but take no unnecessary risks. Best not to stray too far." Selene positions herself near each tunnel as Alekto investigates them.
As they discover the scales Rukzha brightens up. "These are magical instruments of great power! Quite intriguing. We should bring them with us. They will surely aid us in our mission to get back to the surface and defend Kenabres beyond that. There is one for each of us. How convinient." She picks up her own and exclaims. "Mine is good for changing shape, to take on a powerful combat form or to disguise oneself amongst enemies to infiltrate them. "
Rukzha looks over at Alekto with interest, she's always interested in a new skill or some odd piece of knowledge she can learn. "Cooking eh? So much to learn and so little time. Maybe you can teach me some time? Anyway, you didn't say your name. It would be nice to have something to call you and it might prove curcial to our survival in heated situations. Oh yeah, let me give you the blessing of Iomedae before you go. One can never be too careful." Rukzha walks over to Alekto and touches her briefly. "May Iomeda guide your path."