----The Next round of poisoning can begin----
Mekel starts to wake up, delirious. He starts murmuring words, seemingly subconciously.
"It hurts..."
Using the power of touch of luck Thomas gets a 21, on this round of saves.
Save Mekel Nossac, I can take care of myself
With the standard action that I get because I am staggered, I will touch of luck myself again, and wait for the next round of poison saves.
Nossac tries to aid Mekel as best he can.
Aravashnial and Anevia stumble out. Anevia looks carefully at Hegron but continues to Mekel. Of course Aravashnialcannot see him. He begins instruction Nossac about the poison of spiders how to slow it down, while Anevia goes to Mekel.
"All right big guy, help me out here or we lose him!" She says to Hegron
Hegron is taken a bit by surprise at the man's straightforwardness, but nods affirmatively - "What do you need me to do then?" - he inquires - "I know nothing about poisons, or healing for that matter" - he adds as he approaches him.
Shortly after, he breaks a smile as the wounded one begins opening his eyes - "Hang in there boy. We'll bring you back to life"
After the potion spills all over the ground and Mekel, Anevia begins working to save him from the poison. "Neither do I but there must be something we can do!"
After Aravashnial hears Thomas's words, he understands how dire a situation it is for Mekel. "Nossac, come, we must save the boy! Horgus! why are you wasting time over there! make yourself useful and help us!"
The information the elf is able to give to Nossac is helpful (+2 to your heal check Nossac).
"I don't want to see the young elf go but there is nothing i can do! I know nothing of poisons. Now stop yelling at me or you will attract another one!"
Oh god, it burns my insides. Desna, help me, I need your strength!
Thomas will heal check himself so he can try and gain a +4 to his next fort save. Thanks to Touch of luck, since it is still this "round" I can roll twice.
YES, +4 to my next check
HP:1
CON:7
3 more poison rounds to go.
Acting on what Aravashnial told Nossac, Anevia begins helping, trying to stop the poison from killing Mekel however she is almost just in the way.
For all his might, Hegron feels powerless as the elf fades away before him - "This makes no sense!" - he roars - "Dying to a freaking spider in this Gods forsaken hole!"
Again he tries to tend to him as best as he can, his initial wary stance at meeting these strangers in a hostile place - completely forgotten, his weapon dropped on the floor, irrelevant in the face of this situation.
[spoiler=thomas]i see isee. my real life group has been playing that wrong for some time then :P[/spoiler
Smidgen also attempts to Aid Nossac in keeping Mekel alive.
As he slips into delirium and unconsciousness Mekel speaks to Nossac
"Dad? Did I... do well... dad...?"
Here we go.
HP: -2
CON: 4
It'll be alright, you're not going to die on me. Not now!
"That didn't sound good..." Aravashnial says as he hears Thomas fall to the ground.
Next Fort save
HP: -3
CON:3
His last breaths are wordless, and the world is a little less bright with the passing of Thomas Vinland, and Mekel too I guess.
Hegron has faced off against mountain cats weaponless, braved the wild north in the harshest of winter colds, and conditioned his body to endure extreme weather.
But he has just realized he is not prepared for this, as another one of the strangers falls to the ground - "Damn!" - he roars in frustration again.
"C'mon boys! I'm not about to lose ya now that I have found company in these darned caves! Suck it up, and I'll be buying you all rounds in the first tavern we find, till we all drop down drunk!"
con damage =
As Thomas passes, Mekel's chest stops moving.
Anevia pulls back from Mekel as stop breathing, tears in her eyes. "He's gone.....there both gone!" She begins sobbing. Aravashnial hangs his head and even Horgus seems upset by their passing.
Anevia turns to Nossac and in between sobs she says, "We're all going to die down here, aren't we?"
Horgus approaches the group. "We can't burry them down here, but we should do something for them. Do you know the last rites paladin?" He gives Hegron a look.
Hegron had led his brothers before - whether out on patrol, or in hunts. Not so much for his "people skills" but mostly for his determination, and the will to take the forefront in everything he does - they tended to cater around him, but death is never easy to deal with, and he found himself momentarily at a loss for words, looking to those around him.
He was a barbarian, and proud of his origins, but he had also travelled a long way, and learned much from others. Maybe his biggest achievement so far, he learned to focus the inner fire that always seemed to burn inside, urging him to action - now he understood how to harness this, and to focus beyond what his brethren usually could - now was the moment for such focus, and to be objective if they want to live.
Standing up an turning to Nossac, he speaks - "I wish we would have met in different circumstances, and I offer my apologies for not having been able to help your friends - I did all I could" - he states, a grim tone to his voice.
"My name is Hegron, and I don't think I have much more to offer as far as an explanation for why we are down here - I am guessing a war is probably raging up top, and I will be heading there, come hell or high water" - his tone begins to rise.
"A few of my other companions, should be following along shortly, as I rushed ahead when the sounds of a fight were heard, but this I can guarantee you - I AM getting out of here. And as far as it is within my power, I WILL get us ALL out of here"
He looks at the fallen ones - "There is nothing to be done for these poor souls now - they fought valiantly, and to the best of their abilities, and for that reason I agree that they will not simply be left here as vermin food - they deserve more"
Approaching Anevia, he puts a hand on her shoulder - "You do not know me, and I do not know you, but believe my words - no one else is going to die in here" - he looks sternly to the girl, his massive, strong hand, wiping a tear away - "Just follow close, and stay behind me" - he adds with a smile - "After all..." - he opens his arms wide - "At least I provide good cover"
Moving to Nossac, he continues - "Very well then, we cannot bury them in stone, but we can look for loose stone to provide them a final resting mound - let's get to it"
The huge man starts pacing the cave, and singling out decent sized rocks that can be piled in building such a mound.
In between, he takes the opportunity to present himself personally to each of the others. To Aravashnial, he offers his hand, understanding that touch may be the best way to make himself known to the elf - "Well met friend. What has become of your sight? Has this been a consequence of the recent events?"
To Horgus he also offers his hand - "You seem to be of noble birth milord - how fare you in the current situation?"
If there is privacy, Hegron will add - "I get the impression there is something else you want to tell me - now is the moment" - Hegron speaks in a straightforward manner.
Nossac seems troubled by the loss, but it is not the first time it has happened and he know's he must remain strong.
Torag has a temple here, we should move them into the temple so that he might watch over them. I agree that it would be unwise to try and bury them here, we need our strength to move ahead.
He looks at his fallen companions struggling to hold back tears.
We need to focus on surviving, pull any supplies you can from them... and check to see if there is anything we might be able to return to their families once we leave this place. I will ensure their souls reach Celestia uninhibited.
With the final words he begins moving the bodies back into the temple and finds a good spot to lay them to rest. Then he searches them for rations, water, other supplies which might be useful, and personal effects to return to their kin.
-------To Hegron--------
Anevia continues to sob, even after Hegron tries to comfort her. Her sobbing breaks, just for a moment to nod at the barbarian, accepting his reassurance, before she continues to morn Thomas and Mekel.
Aravashnial shakes Hegron's hand, his mouth twisted into a grim smile. "I stood to close to where the Balor landed. As he struck the dragon with his whip, the backlash caught me. I am lucky to still have my head upon my shoulders..."
"Miserable!" Horgus claims. "Rest their souls but the two who have fallen and this elf Paladin don't take the best of care of a noblemen. Oh well, I shall not be angry with them now. They did die in my place at least....." shocking to Nossac perhaps, Horgus shows remorse and admiration for Mekel and Thomas. "At any rate i suppose my deal will pass onto you, but we may discuss it at a more appropriate time"
-------Nossac-------
You are able to move their bodies into the temple without problem. Sadly, there is no place in this temple designed to hold bodies. The corpse of the dwarf still lays where you left it on the floor.
@Anevia: Hegron nods back at the woman, but adds no further words, allowing her to mourn.
@Aravashnial: "A head on your shoulders is way beyond what I have witnessed before in men with their sight intact. You are alive, and if you are alive you still have a word in all of this" - Hegron speaks sternly - "We are all depending on each other down here"
@Horgus: "I don't really understand what you mean by sacrifice" - he gives the man a fierce look - "I'll do my best to get us all out of here as safe as possible, though it is doubtful that we will be unscathed. When, and IF we get up top, we'll speak again on how best to proceed - but we still have to find our way back - I like to handle things one at a time"
Pondering the man's words for another moment, he adds - "But do you mean to say that if YOU are wounded we should leave you behind? As you have just suggested for the others?" - he stares right into his eyes - "I can do that... Because what goes for one, goes for everyone in this forsaken hole. Right?!" - the last sentence more of a growl than anything else.
After speaking to each of Anevia, Aravashnial and Horgus, Hegron notices the corpse of a dwarf - "And this one here?" - he asks.
"I agree Hegron. We must work together to push forward and survive this." Aravashnial states. He turns to Nossac but addresses both the elf and the barbarian, "Shall I take charge now Nossac?
Horgus seems taken aback by the suggestion of leaving him behind and storms off into the entrance room of the temple.
Anivia follows sightly into the temple as well.
After close examination Hegron, you realize that the dwarf is badly decade. He must have been dead for a long time.
A clashing sound echoes from the Cavern from whence Hegron emerged.
If you click on the CS at the end of my description, and go the the gear page, that was everything I had on me.
Before Anievia enters the temple she hears the sounds coming from the cave. "Is that your friends coming Hegron?"
"Yep, that would be them catching up - I just dashed ahead when we heard the sounds of combat. Not fast enough though."
Nossac looks at the Elf, not understanding his meaning. Nossac wasn't in charge, but he sees that the others are looking to him. He chooses to disregard the comment.
Let's wait for Hegron's companions to get caught up, and we will make the proper introductions before moving on. I think it would be wise to have a lead scout so that this doesn't happen again. I am tired of suprises.
When he lays Mekel down to rest, Nossac takes the two gold pieces from his pack and places them over his eyes. Quietly he says a prayer to Erastil, and lightly kisses the elf on the forehead.
He says a prayer for Thomas, and puts the coins on his eyes as well.
Running forward into the cave, and stopping when he sees everyone. HegronPant, pant, You can't run off like that, you now we can't keep up, you'll get yourself into trouble again. Who are they, more survivors?
The crashing resolves itself into a charging Dwarf, dashing forward. He wears Scale armour, carries a shield with an emblazoned Torag's Hammer that glows like a torch, and bears a battleaxe. Upon his back he carries a backpack full of enough gear to start a small shop.
"Aye lad! Are these elves givin' you trouble, or..."
Morgrym's voice trails off as he takes in the scene; Nosscarising from his dead friends, the symbol of Torag above him, the dead spider far off to the side.
"Ah, I guess not. You did the right thing running ahead, lad, for all that they've still taken losses. That this should happen here, in Torag's House. It's not right."
Turning to the assembled injured cavalcade
"Where are me manners? We're Morgrym and Andlat Dolgringrun, wish we could have met under better circumstances."
By the time the two new comers arrive on the scene, Horgus has stormed off into the temple. He can be found waiting inside the first room. Anevia smiles sadly at the dwarf and half-elf, tears still in her eyes. "Something like this shouldn't happen in the front of any temple." her voice is stressed from crying.
"Oh good! A dwarf! And one that worships Torag at that! Perhaps we will make it out of these caves after all! And who is this Andlat? This doesn't sound like a dwarves name, neither does your voice sound so gruff. Who are you?" Aravashnial explains. He begins to perk up slightly at the thought of escape.
You can sense from the aura in this temple that it has been desecrated, unhallowed. Thankfully you also know of a ritual to restore it (a knowledge:religion DC10 will allow you to remember how it preform it. If you choice to do so, it will take you 8 hours to preform.
I'm Andlat, Morgrym's adopted brother. We got trapped down here with Hegron, when he ran off. I didn't even have time to get the 4th member of our party.
Aravshnial keeps speaking to Andlat and Morgrym, "Fourth member? Will they be able to do something about my sight? I would be able to lead the group much better if i could see!"
I do not believe he would be able to repair your sight, though you can ask him yourself.
Andlat pulls the headband down from his forehead to his neck, reveling a glowing third eye, and begins to to chant and cast something. A minute later his ritual complete, there is a small burst of light, and a long blue snake with 4 glowing blue eyes has appeared.
I sense much death here, my their bodies feed the earth, as the sun feeds the morning flower. Hello Morgrym, it is good to see you are not one of the fallen.
Hegron turns as his companions arrive - "Apologies for dashing ahead boys, but even then, I was too slow" - he adds - "They have taken two losses to some damned poisonous spider bite. The creature died, but the poison effects lingered - we weren't able to help"
"That it all happened here, and why, is just another twisted turn of fate I guess" - the man finishes as he stares at the temple - "Do we have any further business in this place?" - he asks from the others.
Nossac finishes the rituals before going to greet the newcomers.
Well met, My name is Nossac. Unfortunately you caught us at a bad time, but it is nice to see that others have survived the attack. I have prepared the bodies and have gathered up their survival equipment. Lets not disturb this temple any longer than we have to and try to move on.
Nossac looks each way down the corridor leading from the temple.