Good enough. Gives me some time to recover, I s'pose
"We can always come back for what's too heavy to take with us right now. For now, I'd recommending stashing what we're leaving behind for now in the lockbox. For our return trip, we should see if any of the companions we found can determine the value of our spoils."
I believe it would be more beneficial to make our way to the surface.
He is going to detect evil.
"Caleb, while I wish to return above as quickly as possible, should we run into another powerful heretic as these, I think we would suffer defeat in detail - and should rest and recover before pushing on."
Caliban, knowing nothing about the value of furs, gathers up some of the armor and weapons to bring back to Neathhome.
Do we give these weapons to the residents of Neathhome? Do we bring them back to the surface with us?
He is going to detect evil.
(No change) There is a dim lingering aura of evil coming from the body of the Tiefling and the note in Caliban's hand, but no active auras here.
If the group thinks we should go back I guess we should.
"Yes, we'll go back, and report what transpired here. I think we've done what was asked of us, and we have found some interesting information in the process. Perhaps we can ask Aravashnial, Anevia, and Horgus to accompany us. They may have some input here, and I think they need to see this place for themselves."
During the trek back, Suryani will flip through the prayer book, to determine who it's devoted to.
Knotted gold ring ?
Small 6-inch tall marble statuette of a humanoid figure throwing a spear ?
Potion of invisibility
Potion (? found on dead Baphomet cultists)
Unholy symbol of Baphomet, wooden x2
Bejeweled book of prayers ?
Leather pouch containing an assortment of semiprecious gemstones (three chips of lapis lazuli, two red-flecked stones, a yellow gem, and a white pearl) ?
Furs ?
Spell component pouch x2
Mwk chain shirt x2
Chain shirt
Leather armor
Mwk glaive x3
Mwk dagger
Dagger x3
Crossbow x2
Longbow ?
Longsword ?
Alchemist's fire
Antitoxin
8pp, 178gp, 50 sp, 5 cp
Hosilla,
You will remain, for the time being, in Kenabres, but know this: the city’s days are numbered. Seek a place of safety—the underground den of your mongrel lackeys should suffice to keep you safe from the devastation to come. I shall assume command of Drezen shortly, and once Vorlesh has finished with the wardstone and Kenabres is no longer of interest to us, you are to return to my side. Excellent news regarding the salvage of Yaniel’s sword from the museum as well—bring it with you, for I believe this weapon could be quite useful once we corrupt it. Before you leave for Drezen, stop by the three safe houses (Nyserian Manor, Topaz Solutions, and the Tower of Estrod—the passphrase remains “I’ve new material for the archives,” for now) to
ensure no evidence remains behind.
May Lord Deskari and Lord Baphomet watch over you!
S. V.
If it helps you take it,
During the trek back, Suryani will flip through the prayer book, to determine who it's devoted to.
The book in Suryani's possession is unsurprisingly full of vile prayers to the god Baphomet.
The party stashes what materials they don't want to carry back in the lockbox and travels back up the rope to the first level.
Back near the entrance, in the dark tunnels you find Lann waiting. [b"]I heard the sounds of battle and feared the worst, but it brings a smile to my face to see you all return."[/b] he says with relief. Once the party explains the situation, that they need to recuperate some before taking another crack at the first floor, he hurriedly ushers you back through the tunnels to the Underholm. Now that he knows which ways are blocked from the tremors, it takes about half the time as before. It seems to be around midday when the party returns, as is evidenced by the hunger in their stomaches.
Aravashnial, Anevia and Horgus are much the same as you left them. The elf is engrossed in conversation about the history of this place with a nearby citizen. Anevia at least is happy to see the party return, while Horgus grumbles in frustration as the party relays what transgressed in the outcasts' hideout, "That's all well an good, but it doesn't seem to me like we are any closer to reaching the surface. Did you or did you not find the exit?"
"We did not, but I'm sure the people here can guide us there. We thought you'd might want to see this complex for yourselves though, you might be more equipped to shed some light on it, and we haven't explored the entire thing yet."
"We found a human cultist of Baphomet, her race and religion making it very likely she came from the surface. That she had a note with instructions on her makes me think she had regular contact with the surface, and she'd have to have relatively easy access to the surface if that were possible."
"Speaking of that particular situation, can any of the three of you shed light upon this letter which we recovered? I think we are all too new to the area to have an inkling about what transpired within Kenabres." Caliban will read the note aloud, knowing that it would likely upset the elf should the others remind him of his newfound disability.
After reading the note Anevia is first to react, "We need to get this information to the surface as soon as possible. The Eagle Watch will want to react as soon as possible, before these demon worshippers have time to escape the city!"
Aravashnial is more level-headed. "I find it interesting that the Tower of Estrod would be a safe house. I have researched there myself many times. The previous owner, Niuna Estrod, wrote some fantastic histories of the Mendevian crusades, but alas she died a few years ago."
"We thought you'd might want to see this complex for yourselves though, you might be more equipped to shed some light on it, and we haven't explored the entire thing yet."
Horgus responds "By the looks of you five, I'm not sure I want anything to do with that place until its been cleared of this cultist infestation. "
Suryani narrows her eyes for a moment at Horgus, but doesn't mention his reaction. "Well, I'm sure the local populace don't mind you keeping them company for a while longer, if that is what you want. The sooner we can locate an exit, the sooner we can reach the surface though. I'm sure you don't want to be down in these caverns any longer than the rest of us," Suryani proposes.
"I know that Nyserian was wealthy but nothing besides that." Sioned turns to Horgus and "innocently" says, "A man of means like yourself, however, can surely make up for my woeful ignorance."
"Agreed Master Horgus, but I tend to agree that we should try and push ourselves through the warren as quickly as we can. Perhaps you three could wait with Lann, and see if we can clear through to the surface quickly?"
Caliban notes Horgus' reaction, but allows it to pass for now.
I wonder what that was about, perhaps Aravashnial or Anevia can shed more light on it later.
I am ready to head back when the group is.
"I know that Nyserian was wealthy but nothing besides that." Sioned turns to Horgus and "innocently" says, "A man of means like yourself, however, can surely make up for my woeful ignorance."
Horgus looks uncomfortable at this line of questioning, but finally relents: "I know Kandro Nyserina, he is a very wealthy man. On rare occasion he has been a business partner of mine, but no more. Not now that he is dealing with his cultist scum."
He looks around at the group and continues, "I will show you the way to his manor once we reach the surface and my safety is accounted for."
I am ready to get a hoppin and a boppn back to the surface.
I am as prepared as I will be, Thank you Horgus for telling us about his treachery. I think we can all work together to bring him to justice." Caliban says, looking up from his spellbook.
The party has no way of knowing what time it is on the surface, but they spend the rest of the "day" resting and recuperating in their temporary home. Wounds are looked after, some characters nap, while others meditate. A hearty dinner is served when everyone is finally awake and prepared - courtesy of the chief. It comes with a message that he is impressed with your resolve and wishes you luck in your next run at the traitor's den.
Lann is tired but he will lead everyone back this night when asked. Aravashnial, Anevia and Horgus will follow behind as well. They believe time is of the essence to warn whomever still survives above ground.
Lann will pull aside a town healer to look after your wounds while you rest. This mongralman is not trained as a magic user, but can bandage wounds and apply ointments.
Suryani also has two channels remaining before we rest, in case anyone still needs healing.
"There probably isn't a whole lot of danger to be found in this place, as everything with at least a bit of common sense probably fled when their leader was defeated, but we should still proceed with caution," Suryani says as they arrive back at the traitor's den.
Can they use any of the xtra weapons we found?
Caliban, can you use the longsword?
The longbow is MW, the longsword is not.
Statue 75gp
Gems 30pg, 100gp, 50gp, 100gp
= 480gp
The shopkeep will take a good look at all of the loot. "We mostly trade down here. Not a lot of gold to go around, although I'm always looking for more! HA! But, seriously, if you're in the business to get something to help keep you alive, I've got a few things kicking around you might want to see."
He takes a sheet off of a few nicer looking items and says: I'll give you these 10 magical arrows for what you've got there. Or, if you throw in an extra 500gp, I trade you for this magical buckler." He says pointing to the items and smiles.
He also has bags and backpacks for sale.
----
Caliban leans over to Kloss and Sioned, "Would those help the two of you? I would be content to exchange goods if we think it would be helpful in escaping this place."
He glances around the group, gauging the response of his companions.
"Hmm... The buckler is tempting, but that's about half our treasury just for one of us. Still, it's a possibility. My mind's on more mundane gear, however."
"Suryani," Sioned says, turning to her, "Perhaps a healer's kit would help conserve your divine grace? If you can carry the extra weight, other healing tools may help that vital bit more. More than anything else, I think that everyone should get masterwork backpacks like what I have," Sioned says, patting hers for emphasis. "If nothing else, it means we'll be able to carry back more loot."
"Oh, yes, that is a good idea. I could certainly use a new pack to carry things. Perhaps a sack as well." Caliban adds, somewhat abashed that he did not think of these things himself.