Verim seemed in deep thought after the incident with the alleged crusaders. Surely an odd spectacle upon someone who was often playful or lacked seriousness.
Traitors above, Allies below. While the Demons strike, men turn on their gods to those who come to bring them destruction. If I had not seen so for myself I would have doubted it. Though these people have made their taint a pride.. and continue to live clutching at the sky, while the ones above fall easily. These are a good people..
He seemed that way about the 'crusaders' items as well, rather than his whimsical self. Along the trip he slowly regained his self, admiring the aesthetic.
When they finally reached their current situation, Verim seemed to return a small smile to the chief. " Well Great Chief of these noble people, the long and short of it is this; Demons have attacked. They've rended both the ground above, below and have caused much suffering it seems. I am just a lowly guard and proud crusader of Arqueros. I wish to bring these people back to the surface to find their loved ones and reclaim that which has been lost. Then afterward, I plan on bringing the fight back against the demons. "
"Verim got the basic points across. Something happened to the Wardstone near Kenabres and let hordes of demons out of the Worldwound. The ground broke open under us during a fight between the Storm King and the silver dragon Terendelev, who saved us with her magic... albeit at the cost of her life. I don't know why she did, but she had her reasons and I'd rather not see them be in vain.
If you know of a way for us to reach the surface, we would be very grateful. If you require us to do something for you as payment for telling us about that path, fair enough. We're worried about our friends and family, any help you can give..."
<==Not aid other, her own check. Else we'd end on 14.
Mia comes up from besides Luciana's figure.
"Um, hi. The grownups are being honost, could you pleeaase help us?"
Mia's expression.
As Verim, Luciana, and Mia talk, Chief Sull grows increasingly agitated. We may be regarded as freaks and outcasts by you uplanders, but it was our ancestors who drove the demons back in the first crusade. The time is past for the mongrelmen to hide in our caves. If you are willing, carry a message to the uplanders: The mongrelmen will stand with the inhabitants of Kenabres to defend the city.
At Chief Sull's words Anevia excitedly announces, This is excellent news. Irabeth and the Eagle's Watch, her company, can surely use all the help they can get.
Looking mildly disgusted, Horgus responds What, just as soon as we can get out of here as quickly as possible. This place is starting to turn my stomach.
Laris drops to one knee and her her arm crosses her chest in an imitation of knightly respect. "We would be honoured to carry your message my lord."
Quiet Horgus, this is fascinating: an entire society of mole people. I never imagined there could be so many descendants of the first crusaders living beneath the city. The rumors never came close.
Verim seems elated, a hardy grin upon his face at the Chief's decision. He slams his shield against the scalemail currently upon him and salutes Sull. " Willing? It'll be an honor! The faces of the demons' I would wish to see when an enemy as fierce as them in appearance descends upon their ranks. Im Sure Lann will be at the forefront! Just point us to the passageway up and we will undoubtedly get your message to the remaining resistance above. No one will question the bravery of your people again, thats for sure! "
Verim nods looking to the rest of the party with a chuckle though a few beads of sweat grace his forehead.
Mia smiles happily before bowing.
"Thank you sir."
She does throw an agitated look at Horgus. Even her thrush looks at him funny.
Rude man. If you must say such things, do so outside of their ears' reach, preferably not at all.
Watching the little halfling and seeing the bird seemingly make a face Tallina has a hunch.
For a moment her eyes grow wide in realization before returning to their normal stare. A smirk crosses her face before thanking the Mongrelman leader.
That's no ordinary bird. No wonder the girl can heal. She must be one of those so called witches. Not entirely bad, but many have evil tendencies. I guess it relies on the individual and not the group.
"Thank you for your assistance Chief Sull, we will carry the message and we will be swift about it. But before that..." Tallina's stomach grumbles with hunger and she covers her stomach a small blush of embarrassment crossing her face, "Do you have a fire or stove I could use to cook? It's been a while since breakfast."
Chief Sull grins and gestures broadly towards the town. Of course, eat, drink, rest. You will need your strength. While we can show you the shortest path to the uplands, the way is not safe.
There is another tribe of mongrelmen, those who have forgotten their past. They have been seen frequently in the company of cultists. We have turned a blind eye upon them, but no longer. I send word to the other tribes to help free Kenabres, but it will be upon you to clean out this nest of corruption. Rest well my friends, you have a busy day before you tomorrow.
"Thank you sir."
She turns to the others.
"Wouldn't it be useful to write a note explaining the tribes are friendly, by signature of one of you three..", she points at Horgus and the other 2.
If Mia is out of ear's rich of the others, she'll ask the chief if there is a herbalist within their settlement. She'd like to expand her knowledge.
Tallina sighs with relief that everyone can get some much needed rest. Also some time to cook the cave viper before it rots. Moves towards Tobongo and retrieves her bindle.
"Anybody up for some cave viper? There's enough for everyone. Maybe I can stretch it if I make it into a stew. Any ideas?"
"Should we be able to get these faithless mongrelmen to repent, either as individuals or a whole, would you take them in?"
She will accept any answer without argument, she'd just prefer to avoid unnecessary deaths if possible.
Maxwell had been quiet for the past while. He'd been silent and in deep thought, though somewhat jittery as time went on. Plain and simply he'd been staving off the dark, creeping images of slight insanity that had taken to silently creeping in on him. Groteus's favor wasn't earned easily, and Maxwell frequently questioned why he'd picked the deity, but simply enough it was for the power of dark that it gave him. The feeling of being able to control darkness and madness was all he needed.
The time went by like a blur for him, and to simply put it, it was as if he were on autopilot, though, at the sight of the Chief he came back to himself and realized that in his bag he'd gained a masterwork chainmail, though he couldn't see it and had no recollection of picking it up.
The taking of the chain mails was for no more reason than more protection, but he figured if he sold it back to the crusaders that had lost it, he might just be able to exchange it for something along the lines of heavy armor. He'd always dreamed of wearing a full plate with the vestige of his faith emblazoned upon it's cape. Vanity had it's time, however, and this most certainly wasn't it.
Looking at the chief as he finally snaps too and pinches his nose and rubs his eyes, he makes short work of the current situation. "So we've gotta kill the savages, then? Suits me just fine. Getting out of this hell hole won't be, and hasn't been easy. A day's rest... right." he mumbles to himself, knowing full well that what he did couldn't really be called "Sleeping" Whipping around, howeverm he realizes that his flail is still in his hands, surprisingly enough, and sheathes it immediately. After a moment of befuddled embarassment he asks a simple question. "How much do you know of these faithless mongrelmen, then? Anyone in particular that's keen on removing our entrails?" he asks.
@Tallina's stew suggestion:
Mia's eyes grow bigger at the sound of the stew.
...oooohhh, stew. Mother used to make snake stew on very special days. Daydreaming she starts counting on her fingers the ingredients she could remember.
"Erm...snakemeat, equal amount of veggies, a orange root for accent on flavors, a spoon of salt&pepper and an amount of water just enough to cover it."
Mia has asked (privately mentioned earlier) about the herbalist.
However, before going whereever the group is heading for the rest and eating and other stuff, Mia draws the attention of the chief.
"Mr chief, can i ask you something else. Earlier, we found 2 crusaders dead near a mound of fungus. Maybe you can tell us what it is. One of them was clenching this"
Mia takes from her pocket the bat-brooch and shows it to the chief.
Listing to everyone talk Chief Sull attempts to answer the questions put before him. We have no shortage of food, please, eat with us tonight. It may be plain fare, but it will keep you healthy. If you wish to contribute your cave snake, I am sure the wives will prepare it for you.
You can try to talk to the bad mongrelmen tribe, but I doubt you will have much luck. They threw their lot in with the cultists years ago. It is only our own weakened convictions that has prevented the other tribes from purging them and their masters from these caves. The past few weeks the numbers of cultists seen has increased. We believe the bad tribe is now actively controlled by the cultists.
Lann has told me of the dead cultists you found near the remains of the spore-cougher. The cultists have lately began sending patrols into our caves. While they have not attacked up yet, we believe it is only a matter of time. I have already sent messengers to the other tribes. We will stand with Kenabres, but it will take a day or two to gather our forces. In that time, you must sent word that we are coming. Lann will accompany you, speaking on my behalf to whoever remains in charge upland.
Hearing his kind words Tallina looks at her pot containing the cave snake.
"Thank you for all the assistance Chief Sull, however might I join the cooking process, I think I have a certain way I'd like to prepare this snake. We should get going after a good meal and some rest."
Bah, I'll pass. It's all I can do to stomach the thought of what it is these people might be cooking. I'll be happy if my bed is free of infestation.
If you don't mind, I'll stay here and talk while supper is preparred. These pitlings are fascinating. I have so many questions they can answer.[/b]
The cultist was clutching the brass bull's head. You found the bat brooch at the abandoned campsite. Which did you want to show Chief Sull?
I'll look up reagants for potions lateron.
"Please, he is blind, if he would have had his sight he'd use kinder terms, right mr Aravashnial?"
@Horgus
This rude fatman's getting on my nerves.
Should it succeed:
"Come on mr Horgus, please help. Even carrying cutlery or plates would be of great help, you might even get something as a thank you."
Should it fail and he accuses her of anything:
"Eh? What did I do? Accusing children, how can you?"
Walks away with a *hmpf*
"Stew, yaaay!"
"Now now Aravashnial, take care of those around you. I fear without your sight you may be forgetting to watch your tongue. These wonderful people have offered to help us, and the battle on the surface. Take care to speak to them, and of them, as you would like them to speak to you. And on that note I must make to the kitchen. Tobongo stay with Aravashnial."
Tallina grabs her bindle with the pot and cave viper in it, as well as the chain shirt she plans to use as a grill.
Upon reaching the kitchen she asks where she can be of help offering aid to others (aid other) and using her hunting knife to expertly prepare and descale the cave viper. The viper goes into the pot with some water, any edible mushrooms and fungus that Tallina would taste before hand to make sure they go with snake. Some salt for a finishing touch, she covers the pot and lets it stew.
Eh, sure thing Missus, be glad to lend a hand.
Looking abashed, and perhaps blushing a bit, Arvashnial stammers an apology. I, I am sorry if my words were offensive. It is not every time I encounter living legends. We've all heard the stories of the first crusade, but I never thought hear their history as spoken by their children. In some cases, literally. Lann, how old are you. If your parents were elven, you must surely have been born mere years after the first crusade ended. You must remember those first years and how mongrelman society was formed and has evolved since.
You got sooo lucky. Horgus has a very good will save.
"Tallina, Tallina, guess what.
Mister Horgus here is really glad to lend a hand. Now things will go even smoother with the stew."
(genuine happy and satisfied smile)
In the morning after a breakfast of fried meat and eggs you are escorted down a narrow tunnel with a steep incline. After ~30 minutes of travel, bypassing several side tunnels, Lann will gesture towards the brightening of the tunnel ahead.
The bad monglemen caves are just ahead. I will accompany you, but the others must return to prepare.
Hearing the description of the situation Maxwell can't help but heave a sigh. Throwing his hand up to scratch the back of his head as he leans against a wall, he smirks. "Genuinely strong footsoldiers with the blood of the abyss in their veins subjugated by Crusaders who happen to be cultists of the very fiends they're supposed to fight." he says before smashing his fist into a nearby wall and flailing it as it hurts him.
"Cultists..." he calmly states as he rubs his hand. "Horns..." he states again.
As the realization hits him like a freight train, he can't help but realize that, of all the demons they're up against, the cultists worship the horned goat demon. Baphoment.
"They worship Baphomet..." he points out as he walks out of the room before retiring to his wicked, cruel dreams.
------------------------------ Next Day --------------------------------
As they progress down the Tunnels, Maxwell audibly points out something as they descend and wind throughout them. "The cultist Crusaders we saw dead worshiped Baphomet, the Demon of Beasts. The glaives were his favored weapon, so I'm afraid we may meet a lot of folks today that prefer reach... Needless to say, charge, or wait for them to open up.
"I can't believe all of this..." he says as they keep going.
To the chief
Mia looks sad hearing the news.
"Sorry for your loss chief. We found this some way back the way we came. Within some hours' reach i think."
She hands it over to the chief.
In the morning Mia walks up to Tallina.
"The stew was delicious. I hope you'll make it again sometime."
(smile)
I see I .... regret the differences that arose between my son and I, and I thank for for this token to remember him by.
In gratitude, I would like you to give this to your friends. I am no longer able to use it, it was to be my sons.
"You're welcome chief. I fear my mother has passed on in the attack, but i cannot confirm it yet. But the feeling regardless is sort of the same. Thank you."
(polite bow)
----------The Current Day----------
Stretching out on her blanket, Tallina finally has her good night of rest. Finally opening her eyes and standing up she rustles Tobongo's leaves and pours some water on them before taking a splash of water to her own face to help wake up. A warm smile on her face while she prepares her equipment for the day.
"We certainly have come a long way haven't we old friend? If my father, you remember him, could see me now he still would not believe where I ended up. I should figure out a way to get a message to him."
Finally out of her sleeping quarters the halfling runs up to Tallina and complimented her on her cooking. Taking the compliment with a grain of salt as she reminds Mia about how it was obtained.
"Well, I certainly hope we don't get a chance to cook it again. They are extremely dangerous with their poison. Just remember to be thankful for the food that Nature has provided us, and she will provide again."
Mia nods at Tallina.
"I'll have to disagree on the first part. But i agree on the second....
sadly not all people see it that way"
Barricades made of heaped loose rocks and boards bisect this cavern. Beyond the barricades, a wooden screen covers the lower half of the tunnel entrance.
Lounging behind the barricades stand two armed mongrelmen.
Laris whispers "While I'd like to give them the chance to surrender, perhaps surprise would be a better option?"
"Guys, the chief gave me something for his son's trinket.
Who wants it?", she holds up the +1 Morningstar.
Leaning forward to look at them around the corner, he scoffs. "Well, if we walk around to see them, we'll most likely just have them get royally pissed and alert the others... As far as I'm concerned, they're casualties." he points out as he draws his flail.
"My opinion of cultists is that they're better off dead. Who knows? They may even thank us for sending them to the abyss." he says as he smirks.
Verim had enjoyed a hardy stew of snake he had killed and even more so told stories to the fellow ale drinkers of the overworld. Great happenings, battles, ales; he expounded greatly. The buzz from that night prepared him for the dread he would face today.
He snapped back to the current situation looking down to Mia and smiling, " Havent used one in years! but I don't have anything as versatile at the moment, we can't waste a gift of the Chief.. let me hold on to that for now. " gladly taking the Morningstar.
He notes the sound of the enemy as well and breathes out. " Listen, we all know they are right around the corner, I agree if we ambush them most likely they won't have a chance the regroup and call on allies. However, don't do any more than you have to. Once their down don't put any more effort into keeping them down. Most likely there is some overlord pushing them to be this way and information would be nice. Mia, Tallina; I'll leave any you might deem fit to your care.. I'll try and see us through. Maxwell, Luciana, with me if you will, keep the civilians to the back. We are going to raid this den "
Verim starts rushing forward shield raised and Morningstar in the other hand.
Mia, Maxwell
---------------------
Mongrelment
---------------------
Tobongo, Luciana, Laris, Tallina, Verim
I somehow get the feeling my cover isn't as trustworthy anymore. I've spent more time with these people than i usually do. I'll skip it for today and hope for the best.
Mia's heart is pounding.
Attempting to cover as much signs as possible, she puts Ward Hex on Maxwell.
Not wasting any time, Maxwell grips his Flail with a mighty wrenching of his hands before running at full speed towards the barricades before getting at a corner of one and swinging as hard as he possibly can. This bit of time they'd spent in these caves had steeled his resolve somewhat, and he could certainly feel his strength growing, if only a little, as he continued to waltz about.
As the blow swings through the air against the unknowing mongrelmen who return him with a look of surprise he grins, finally happy. "Let's see if you blasphemers are tougher than the roaches!" he exclaims.