Verim grins and waves his hand dismissively in Maxwell's direction, patting Wendaug firmly upon the back " Thats just our resident Serious Soldier, He's all bark and a nice bite from time to time. Don't worry your Pretty head over it. When you get to the surface the sun and sky will be one of the most beautiful things to describe.. I hope. Either way, just stick to me if you don't trust anyone else.. I'll be gentle.. I assure you. " nodding to Wendaug.
Verim searches the area with Tallina, mainly the desk and anything important, Clearly the cultist knew something. " I'm all for moving up but only after we know this place is clear, OH and I guess we can ask the Cultist lady some questions, possibly, If we can get her back up. "
The lockbox holds a small leather back with an assortment of semi-precious stones (worth a total of 330gp), two scrolls, a long, thin darkwood sword case (worth 200gp), and a letter to Hosilla. The sword case is not locked and appears to hold a sword.
Dead
Upon inspection of Hosilla, you find that she did not survive the fight.
After skimming the letter herself, Luci read it out to the others.
"Pretty good intel here, we might be able to use it. Yaniel... Why does that name ring a bell?"
Adding the gems to her pack of lots of things, Tallina grabs the sword and scrolls and hands them to Mia.
"You seem to be knowledgeable about things magical. Does this sword possess any magic?
I can only assume these are magical scrolls, the sword might be useful to Luci as she uses swords over other weapons. The stones are pretty enough and I seem to be carrying everything anyway. I will need to prepare a spell of ants haul tomorrow to ensure that I can carry it all safely.
The halfling's eyes quickly study the scrolls and the sword.
"Hm?"
"That's a pretty sword."
"What's on these?"
The longsword radiates a faint magic. The blade appears to be made of gold, but upon closer inspection is cold iron enchanted to appear gold.
Deciding to look up Yaniel at a later date, her memory failing her, Luci moved to pick up the sword. "Anyone mind if I use this? I seem to be the only one of us who uses a plain ol' longsword."
Verim seems to curse under his breath as Hosilla is confirmed dead. ' Did I use to much force, DAMMIT I wasnt supposed to kill anyone this time! I let my strength get to my head again like before.. Arqueros' blessings on her soul. I didn't give her a chance ' His face scrunching into a slight upset smirk.
As he stands up he makes sure the body is in a proper state, somewhat more relaxed and nods to Luci, shrugging afterward. " I'm less dependent on the weapon and more the best I can get, I use. It's the life of a mercenary to use what ya' got. As long as I have a Shield, I'll be fine.. though I wish I had my real one.. This is the practice Shield I had from when I was a kid. Didn't expect a Demon attack at the festival so I didnt bring it. That reminds me Luci-Lu, I've noticed you go without a Shield yet I dont see your style matching Sadsack Maxwell. You should probably take the shield off the Tiefling... Who I think Might still be alive, either way he isnt using it and you could use the defense.
Verim almost coaching her on a shields' varied uses.
As Luciana touches the sword, it warms to her grasp, the blade glowing softly.
Pulling the shield off her back she offers it to Luci.
"Go for it, a sword is truly the weapon of heroes. But a wooden shield might match the sword scabbard a bit more than a metal one, from my understanding they function identically while one just happens to be lighter." Looking over Uziel Tallina has a bit more to say. "We might as well take his armor though, that tiefling was incredibly tough and I think the armor might have something to do with it. It might even be imbued with magic if we are lucky."
Verim, noticing the quality of the Tiefling shield, goes to take even though it lacked the symbol or Arqueros. He then offers to hand the former shield to Luciana if only because she might need it, otherwise he puts it up.
"Thanks for the offer guys, but I'm happy with how I fight now. I should try to use both hands a bit more, though. I'm just a bit too... 'gifted'..." she tapped her breastplate to emphasis what she meant, "to make it work consistently. Anyway, this new sword seems like it should work pretty well - cold iron with a magical enhancement. Feels like there's more to it, though, going by that reaction. That and the gold look which is kinda ostentatious if you ask me."
"Kind of posh. It looks more like a decoration over an actual weapon to me. A good thing for fooling people.
I agree with Tallina about locking them up. But the others locked in there might be in for more fighting."
As the group carries on below out of the hearable distance;
Maxwell begins to ascend, shortly after rallying the people that had avoided the previous fight. Looking to the woman with the broken leg, he sighs. "You'll be able to climb, right?" he asks, as the group watches him.
Laris looks over the assorted items they've gathered, particularly the sword and the name Yaniel (extra +2 if Nobility?)
She'll also take a look at the two scrolls
"Well, we should probably follow Maxwell before he gets himself killed"
Anevia shrugs at Maxwell's comment, It may take me a while to get up the ladder, but I am sure I will manage. It's Aravashnial I worry about.
About a minute after Maxwell stalks out of the room, Wendaug smirks. I hope your friend is prepared for the pets I left guarding the exit. They're not very friendly. I would so hate myself if they were to accidentally hurt him.
In the distance, at a lighter section of the cave, as his head pounds with the newfound rustling noise, he sees a faint shadow, a short one, and sees it's shadow point down. Blinking, and realizing his short, and possibly only chance, he wastes no time in fleeing the way he came.
[/ooc]Full Withdraw back down hole.[/ooc]
Mia looks at Wendaug, then tries to hear if anything is up there with Maxwell.
"What pets?"
Wendaug stares upwards, in the direction Maxwell went. There might be a few rather large rats I left at the top of the ladder. They won't attack if I am there.
After a brief pause, Wendaug continues. There may also be a few demons. Those I have no control over. They answered to Hosilla.
"Okay then, up you go," Luci said to Wendaug, gesturing to the ladder, "you stop the rats and I'll see what this thing can do to the demons." She hefted her new sword onto her shoulder at the last bit.
As Luciana ascends the ladder, the nearest rat hisses at her before scampering behind a pile of trash.
Wendaug gestures towards the next room, Beyond that chamber is an entrance into the sewers of Kenebras. I have only ventureed into the sewers a handful of times, and never entered the city proper.
Slinging the scythe over her pack Tallina prepares to climb the ladder.
"Aravashniel, why don't you hang on to Tobongo, he can carry you up much faster than even I can climb on a ladder. The same for you Anevia, Tobongo can always just come right back. He may be kind of thin but he is certainly strong."
At the top of the ladder she leans in and eyes the rats, debating if she should try and pet it. However her skills with animals were not up to par of a druid proper so she will pass.
"Aww, cute little rats. I'm glad we don't have to eat these. With some tender loving care they could make great pets. I haven't gotten much of a look at the city of Kenebras as I was only there for a few hours before disaster struck. I still haven't gotten my proper bath yet and I don't think I will for quite some time."
At the rat's hiss, Luci slightly recoiled, which turned into a full-blown shiver when Tallina suggested making one a pet. "Let's just keep moving." she suggested, leading the way.
Verim shakes his head as he discovers Maxwell rush back, from rats. He smiles having equipped that which he needed and done a small prayer of Hosilla's body. A bit confused at Luci's choice but letting it go. Falling in behind her slapping Maxwell on the back for a "Job well Done".
Climbing up the ladder with Tallina, Verim notes the rats a chuckles, sure they were big but no worse than rabid dogs he was sure. Hefting himself up and out he moves to Wendaug, placing his left arm around her neck in a friendly manner, dangling a potion in his hand and a short sword in his other. " Now Now, Wendaug-dear, That might be a nice prank you pulled on 'Lionheart' but your cute pets there might have hurt him. Lets not have unnecessary troubles on our journey to the surface. Here I'll even go give you a drink; Just endure it for now. " suggestively dangling the potion of CLW, an act of kindness and playful atmosphere.
" Oh, and why dont we travel somewhat close? We've got time to bond and learn about each other. With your bow you can't really do much to demons; I'd rather not see you get hurt...Bring your pets if you want too. " He gives a wink guiding the potion gently into her hand and taking his arm off to equip himself for Demon-slaying. Placing both shields on his back, gripping the shortsword and flexing his cestus hand.
Wendaug glare turns to ice as Verim drapes his arm over her, Remove your hand, before I remove it permanently, and I have no need for your potions. I've agree to accompany you, for now, but don't ever think you can take liberties with me.
The walls of this room are solidly constructed of evenly cut stone blocks, with graceful arches. Rising floor to ceiling in the middle of the room are more crudely constructed walls of black stone.
Maxwell openly groans. "Imbecile..." and has officially taken up the passive act of ignoring Verim's rather frequent shots at what little pride he has left. Mind you, words were wasted on someone who guided their sword hand with their loins, he thought to himself. As he sees the potion guided into her hand, however, his eyes widen and cups the potion swiftly with his open palm before it can reach hers. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?" he asks, obviously a mixture of confused and infuriated.
When she rejects the potion, he stays his hand. He's less upset with Wendaug than he is Verim. At least her actions made sense. "Verim, I believe the woman will agree with me when I say that you'd do well to guide your alliances by something else than your loins." he says somewhat sighing. This was getting ridiculous, after all. Looking to Wendaug, he gave a small chuckle for just a brief moment. "You're free to leave whenever you please, Wendaug." He said it as if she were still in some merciless prison.
Laris will follow on.
Pressing forward, the group inters the maze, Luciana leading the way, sword drawn.
Rounding the corner, Luciana finds herself face-to-face with a grotesque, bloated parody of a human male. Growling and slobbering the beast like man steps back, howling and gibbering.
Maxwell, Tallina, Tobongo, Luciana, Mia, Laris, Verim
-------------------------------------------------------------
Bad Guy
Taken back by the grotesque figure Tallina can only ask about the creature before attempting to blind it.
"My word, what in the 9 hells is THAT!?!"
"No matter, Phlare!"
.
Realizing that he has no time for pleasantries and insults, Maxwell rolls his eyes once more, and ran to where Luciana was as soon as he'd seen the shock on her face. One thing he could be relied upon to do, so far, was react faster than the rest. He'd always enjoyed that quality about himself... something that came from always expecting the worst. "Watch yourself, Tiefling!" he said as he'd seen the creature.
"Luciana, it's sluggish, whatever it is. Take some steps back, so that we can have more weapons against it! Look out!" he said, pointing at the creature.
"Hey, wait up! You guys walk too fast."
Mia doublemoves, being near the other 3.
With a loud scream and a few expletives, Luci wasted no time following Maxwell's advice.
Verim places his hand and shortsword up defensively to the reaction of Wendaug still playful and warm in contrast to her stare " Easy, Easy there love. I wasn't taking anything from you it's simply how my people treat those they want as friends. I remembered I hit you pretty hard with this baby before... ", tapping the morningstar with his sword hand. Rubbing the back of his neck with his empty hand sort of in a disarmed manner " .. so I wanted to make up for that, so you were alright; As a form of truce. The rest will come lat- " Verim suddenly noting the harsh voice of Maxwell.
As he reaches for Wendaug, Verim instinctively gets ready to defend her, but relents when Maxwell simply grasps the potion. His adrenaline pumped for nothing. It did not take a psychic to realize that Maxwell was perturbed by Verim's actions. He didn't really react to the insult to his intelligence but twitched when he was accused of doing so simply because of his loins.
" Heh, Listen here Dirge Knight. Sure I might be a bit too protective or reckless at times but I guide my actions by something more reliable than my loins... great as they are. I have had battle and life experience ever since I was little and ever since a certain incident, a vow. So we will see who's conviction is correct later.. otherwise do not belittle me or my actions. " placing his hands behind his head, whistling and following Luciana.
When they reached the entrance he seemed on edge. Demons? Will there really be demons? I-I can't take any chances if I see one... His eyes darting around being overly wary. Then there was an alarmed voice, Maxwell giving orders and Luciana backing up disturbed. Verim's breathing quickened as he knew they needed to draw it out.. but he wanted to see it for himself. Dropping his shortsword and drawing the Glaive in anticipation to duck behind Luciana afterward. Verim hit the intersection and as he turned his heart skipped a beat as he stared at the creature. A memory flashed in his mind.. an image of a powerful demon eclipsed this creature, one with horns all over its body, powerful claws, a savage maw and muscular frame. He watched as it tossed some of his greatest family members aside and disarmed even his father, as he stood there trembling with his longsword.. no more than 11 years old. N-no, Not you, Not this.. NOT THIS TIME! I WONT LET YOU! IM NOT WEAK LIKE LAST TIME!
Stopping in his tracks Verim roared swinging the glaive with unrelenting force scraping the wall with the blade as he curves it vertically from the horizontal slash and brings it down vertically upon the creature. " I AM NOT WEAK, I SHALL PROTECT THEM THIS TIME! COME DEMON! "
As Verim cleaves the first demon in half, you hear an answering howl from further in the maze.
As Verim kills the first creature, a second shuffles from around the corner, spewing a huge cloud of noxious fumes.
"What....ow yuck!"
The gas fills the room in a billow, and the arrival of another creature assault's Maxwell's lungs, sending him into a raucous coughing fit where he does his best just to maintain his underfilled stomach. As much as he'd like to leave the fumes, he isn't about to allow Mia to come into harms way, and travels around the area until he catches what he thinks is her in his sight.
Laris steps closer to the gas, but unable to see much beyond a vague shape (Luci?} within she does all she can do and uses her voice to aid the constitutions of those within.
Verim was enveloped in green mist but shouted out to force the mist away yet slow his intake of air.
As he turns in the direction of when he last heard the creature his eyes seem to glow once again and the light seems much brighter than the previous times. However a new addition was the darkening of his skin tone. With raspy, heavy breaths Verim pushed past the debilitated Maxwell almost in a trance-like state.
" ...I will.. Kill you.. Demons.. I will kill.. ALL OF YOU! " spotting the creature appear before him and raising his serrated fist in a roar, swinging with little abandon.
"Tobongo, guard them, I'm heading in."
Tallina moves hastily to get in front of Mia.