"Only a few times before. I needed certain materials", he explains with a rattle of the bloody spell component pouch.
Varda continues to concentrate, trying to understand what she's seeing. How... how can this be? Unless she's not actually all she seems...
Nodding, she shoulders her bow and returns to her examination of the prisoner.
"So uh, what can she do? Besides being naked."
"She's strong like all of her kind, though her form may not look it. I don't know what other powers she has", Na'shok answers.
Aravashinal hears the final sylables of the chant, and his body stiffens. Unprepared, he is unable to stop the ritual in time. "A Demon?! You bound a bloody DEMON!? Are you crazy?" He holds his staff in front of him in a defensive posture.
Anevia Tirabade stands in front of Aravashinal, sword drawn and moving up to engage Na'shok...
But Horgus steps in front of them both, holding Na'shok's axe."Hold. I don't like this much either, but he's been fighting with us for quite some time now. He has had plenty of alone time when and could have either escaped from us, or sealed us in in that temple with a cave in or something."
He turns around and looks at you. "I judge people by their actions, but this one weighs heavily against you. You better have a good explanation for this."
Na'shok scoffs. "I owe you nothing, least of all an explanation. This power is mine to do with as I please. If I'd wanted you dead I would have killed you a long time ago."
"No, your demon masters likely want us captured so they can torture us for information or kill us themselves! We should never have released you from your chains, crazed barbarian!" Aravashinal exclaims.
"Did I miss something? We're fighting for our lives and you wanna piss and moan about a naked demon? Give me a break and get over yourselves." Frekhi shakes his head. "You gonna judge something based on appearance?"
"Fine. Just don't expect me to get along with him." Aravashnial states.
"Whatever. No one gets along with anyone here."
A steeply inclined tunnel leads upward to the north, its walls lined with numerous nooks, handholds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven into the walls long ago. It extends at a steep angle for around 60 ft.
While you are walking, Anevia walks near Frekhi (though always keeping an eye on Na'shok). "I've never seen a lycantherope that isn't feral when in their beast mode. How did one such as you come into existence?"
As the party begins to trade words, Aenthurien slides the wizard's spellbook into his pack and gather his gear, following along. He begins to match steps with Aravashnial, and begins to speak, though he makes sure the other two can hear him. I understand your reservations...I too was taken by surprise by the summoning. In these dark times, it is easy to condemn a man for his action, however good intentioned those actions are. I am withholding judgement until a time that judgement is needed. Perhaps it would be wise for all to take this course of action.
Varda hoists the dwarf and walks along behind the party. At Aenthurien's words, she nods. "Your words are wise, friend Aenthurien," she says, loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Judgment is best left to those who have full understanding of all things."
"While I have reservations about the use of demonic power, I have no reservation about all of us staying alive. Na'shok has shown his usefulness on more than one occasion. None of us need to like each other to survive this trek, but none of us will survive if we do not work together. I will give Na'shok the benefit of the doubt until he shows himself unable to control his alliance."
While you are walking, Anevia walks near Frekhi (though always keeping an eye on Na'shok). "I've never seen a lycantherope that isn't feral when in their beast mode. How did one such as you come into existence?"
"I wasn't always like this. I was a normal kid once. Until the demons attacked. The militia did their best, but they weren't soldiers. They were just farmers. And now they're dead. I just remember running away, scared, into a dark cave with a demon following me. There was this bright light and then I blacked out. When I awoke, the demon was dead and I was like this. What do you mean by beast mode? This is the only form I have. I wish I could go back to being human, being normal. But instead I'm cursed to be a freak, a monster."
As the party begins to trade words, Aenthurien slides the wizard's spellbook into his pack and gather his gear, following along. He begins to match steps with Aravashnial, and begins to speak, though he makes sure the other two can hear him. I understand your reservations...I too was taken by surprise by the summoning. In these dark times, it is easy to condemn a man for his action, however good intentioned those actions are. I am withholding judgement until a time that judgement is needed. Perhaps it would be wise for all to take this course of action.
Varda hoists the dwarf and walks along behind the party. At Aenthurien's words, she nods. "Your words are wise, friend Aenthurien," she says, loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Judgment is best left to those who have full understanding of all things."
"While I have reservations about the use of demonic power, I have no reservation about all of us staying alive. Na'shok has shown his usefulness on more than one occasion. None of us need to like each other to survive this trek, but none of us will survive if we do not work together. I will give Na'shok the benefit of the doubt until he shows himself unable to control his alliance."
You hear Aravashnial mumble a bit, casting a simple cantrip.
"I don't trust him. We don't know much about him. I lead the riftwardens in Kenabres. He may have bound the demon there for now, but I have never known demons to not corrupt their master one way or another."
Worse, I believe that the crusaders have been infiltrated by demon cultists and summoners, and that their influence has been more damaging to the war effort than actual battles. I would not be surprised if people like him were partially responsible for the attack on the city above."
"I will travel with him, but I do so knowing I don't really have a choice. It may be that he is telling the truth; that he wishes no harm toward us. If so, he likely has great talent as a summoner, which could be used for good. For now, however, I will have to trust everyone else to keep careful watch on him."
"I wasn't always like this. I was a normal kid once. Until the demons attacked. The militia did their best, but they weren't soldiers. They were just farmers. And now they're dead. I just remember running away, scared, into a dark cave with a demon following me. There was this bright light and then I blacked out. When I awoke, the demon was dead and I was like this. What do you mean by beast mode? This is the only form I have. I wish I could go back to being human, being normal. But instead I'm cursed to be a freak, a monster."
"Forgive me. I didn't know. What were your parents like?
"Forgive me. I didn't know. What were your parents like?
"They were kind people, always doing their best to make sure I had everything I needed. I couldn't have asked for better parents. Now they're gone, forever. I couldn't save them." Frekhi's eyes look down in sadness.
Varda frowns at the whispered message. Instead of responding in like kind, she speaks aloud. "You would be wiser to withhold your judgment completely, until all facts are known. I will say this much... Torag sees fit for us to travel together, and with that I am content."
"They were kind people, always doing their best to make sure I had everything I needed. I couldn't have asked for better parents. Now they're gone, forever. I couldn't save them." Frekhi's eyes look down in sadness.
"It looks like we share pasts of lost parents. My mother worked for a gang of outlaw artists and thieves. It is a normally risky occupation, but it was especially dangerous in the back streets of Nisroch."
"She raised me to love speak up and love art, even while the gang taught me how to pick locks and pockets. Honestly, I think I would have prefered to become a poet or a writer."
"Still, the gang got cracked down on hard by the Silent Shroud. My mother sent me away to a priestess of Desna named Veeruh, even while she sacrificed herself to allow me to get away. Veeruh and she raised me for 6 years.
Anevia closes her eyes slightly, a small smile on her features. "I have two mothers now, and I love them both. I still feel saddened to what happened to my birth mother, even as I thank her and Desna for my continued chance at life."
After an hour of travelling, the tunnel opens into a large cavern, about seventy feet across. Cylindrical rock formations along the walls arch up to make a domelike chamber, but the walls and floor are riddled with cracks. At the center of the cave, a stone tower that may once have reached the fifty-foot high ceiling has collapsed onto its side.
There are two humanoid creatures in front of you, They heard your approach, and have dropped into defensive stances, but don't seem to be aggressive.
One of them speaks to you in a raspy voice. "If your intentions are ill, we ask you to move on and leave us in peace. If they are good, then perhaps you can help. As you can see, misfortune has befallen us."
Na'shok raises a brow at the freakish creature's appearance.
"We're just looking for a way back to the surface?" the brawny orcish man explains. "Is there an exit this direction?"
Not recognizing the humanoids, Aenthurien says. What is your misfortune?
"There is an exit to the surface, past our village."
The female, who is hunchbacked and bloated with tumors on her face, nods to the male, who replies, "Our friend Crel is trapped beneath the tower. We have cleared most of the rock away, but we are unable to move this boulder by ourselves. If you could help us move the rock, we would greatly appreciate it."
Varda nods. "I believe we may be able to assist, if my companions are willing. I will attempt it, regardless. Na'shok," she asks, turning to him, "would you be willing to help?"
Na'shok scoffs. "If it'll get us through their village more quickly I'll lend my strength."
Aethurien nods in agreement and begins moving toward the boulder.
"If we render you aid, can you guide us back to the surface?"
Gorn-Rel glances around to look for what exactly they need aid with.
When everybody gets into position, Gorn Rel will aid the boulder push.
It takes a good minute working together to move the boulder. . They do a quick check on Crel. Thankfully, he seems to only be lightly cut from the falling rocks.
"I thank you for helping to rescue our friend. Come, the direct path to our village is blocked by the earthquake, but I know of another way."
Aenthurien wipes the dust from his hands, shoulders his pack and follows along. Your village. Is it underground or above?
Na'shok wipes the sweat from his brow and casts an appreciative glance at Larissa. Strong indeed. Manyfold more powerful than the first few. What's made me stronger? Was it proximity to the demons above or something else?
Larn answers, "Our settlement is Below ground.
Crel, the mongrelmen you rescued, continues. "Our people were once crusaders and wizards of Mendev. We were known as the knights of the Black Watch, back during the first crusade. During that time, we were asked to guard these caverns from any assault from below."
"What happened?" asks Varda curiously.
Na'shok feigns disinterest but listens to the story intently.
Crel replies, "To tell the truth, I'm not completely sure. The first crusades were long ago, and I wasn't born until long after. Supposedly, we were once human, but something happened to make us like this...
"Chief Sull knows more of our history than we do. If you are curious, you may ask him. I am certain he will be welcoming.
Horgus pulls Varda aside.
Varda frowns at the nobleman, trying to hide her annoyance as she quietly responds.
Nodding at Crel, Varda's face smooths over again. "I would like that, though we must hurry toward the surface."
"I understand. The walk to our village using this route is about 30 minutes away at this pace."
Gorn-Rel tries to conceal his excitement behind a stoic face. If these strange people had their own settlement -- however small -- below the city, then it might be possible to open a trade route with them. The hobgoblin did not know how far the tunnels extended. It was possible that there was a way to connect Kenabres with Namaris through these tunnels. There was a chance that trade could occur beneath the notice of the demons! Such a possibility would enrich these people, enrich Namaris, and Kenabres -- provided they found wisdom.
Crel replies, "To tell the truth, I'm not completely sure. The first crusades were long ago, and I wasn't born until long after. Supposedly, we were once human, but something happened to make us like this...
"Wait, really? How do you know? Do you know how it happened?"
After about 30 minutes, your party reaches a circular, 20 ft. diameter cavern. Four more mongrelmen stand guard here. Lann and two bretheren are welcomed warmly by the four guards, even though the guards eye you with suspicion. After a short discussion by Lann and the guards, they open the door to you and your party.
A small, dark lake ripples in the center of this two-hundred-foot-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. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake's closest shore.
You cross the lake into the mongrelmen town of Neathholm. Nervous citizens look at your party, though they don't hide as Lann guides your party to the largest building atop the island's low central peak.
Lann asks your party to wait in what appears to be a small waiting area, then goes into another room, where you can hear Lann giving a report. Afterwards, Lan comes out.
"Chief sull is ready to speak to you now."
Aenthurien follows the party into the room.
Varda nods from where she leans against a wall, straightening and following the others inside.
Clearing his throat, Gorn-Rel will make introductions, "Greetings, honored chieftain, I am Gorn Rel, son of Hok-Rel of Namaris. These are my companions . . .. We were trapped below the surface when the Storm King assaulted Kenabres. We are looking to return to the surface to fight the demons. Would you point us in the correct direction?"
Chief Sull is a bloated and unpleasant-looking but seemingly mild-mannered mongrel with one clouded white eye. He greets you warmly.
"Welcome. I thank you for freeing my trapped mongrelman. It is very unusual to have tremmors here. Normally, the ground here is very stable. In any case, may I ask how you got into these caverns?"
"Greetings, honored chieftain, I am Gorn Rel, son of Hok-Rel of Namaris. These are my companions . . .. We were trapped below the surface when the Storm King assaulted Kenabres. We are looking to return to the surface to fight the demons. Would you point us in the correct direction?"
Chief Sull listens to Gron-Rel, and grows quite concerned. "Me and my kind may be outcasts and freaks in the eyes of uplanders, but our ancestors helped drive back the deons in the First Crusade. The nearest route to the surface lies to the south, but this exit is guarded by a tribe of mongrels who do not have peaceful intentions. We were once one tribe, who believed the best way to defeat the demons was by using their chaotic & selfish natures against themselves. We promised them victory and power over their peers if they would help us seal the worldwound."
"So we summoned them, and we used them in our fight to secure these caverns below Kenabres. When we had no more use for them, we tried to dismiss them. We were successful, but not before we were cursed to become disfigured."
"Despite this, we still hold our pride as the Knights of the Black Watch. I have two requests for you. First, if you could bring the message that the Black Watch still exists and get the uplanders to accept our help, we would aid you in retaking the city when the time comes."
"Second is a more immediate problem, both for you and us. The tribe of mongols who guard the way to the surface have allied with demon cultists. We normally ignore them, and they ignore us, but if the city above us is under attack as you say, that time has passed. These traitors have lost their way, and need to be destroyed if we are to help you retake the surface. "
Varda nods. "Indeed, if they are aiding the attackers above, we should deal with them as soon as possible."
Gorn-Rel looks around to see if there is any dissent.
"While I cannot speak for these others, I would pledge my fists to destroying our shared enemies. Together we can grow strong and achieve what would be difficult if not impossible to achieve on our own."
This chieftain seems like he is more willing to listen to reason that the leaders of Kenabres.
After a brief pause, Gorn-Rel will ask Sull, "Honored Chieftain, if we are successful in destroying our enemies and retaking Kenabres from the demons would the Black Watch be interested in discussing the possibility of trade between Neatholhm and Namaris? Depending on how far these tunnels extend there may be a possibility of a secured trade route."