The list of potential enemies increases... Does anyone see useful gear on these men?
Perhaps if they are in league with the foreign tribe, their uniforms and markings would aid in disguise should infiltration or surprise becomes desirable.
Gabriel looks around.
Let's move on.
Gabriel offers a chain shirt to Sarasanna, Does this help you?
Akkramar takes one of the finely crafted chain shirt armors, donning it while keeping his own.
[dice=Knowledge History] 1d20 + 3
Akkramar takes one of the finely crafted chain shirt armors, donning it while keeping his own.
Gabriel offers a chain shirt to Sarasanna, Does this help you?
Sarasanna accepts the chainmail from Gabriel with an appreciative nod.
"This armor is finely crafted and would be an improvement upon my current gear." Sarasanna acknolweldges the gift, taking the armor. As she removes her studded leather and folds it into her pack, she dons the chain shirt, looking up as if remembering something. "I think you for your gift," she says to Gabriel quickly. Her lips turn up into a crooked smile.
She then continues strapping on the new armor.
Akkramar takes one of the finely crafted chain shirt armors, donning it while keeping his own.
Without asking, as if it is the most natural thing, Gabriel moves to help Sarasanna don the armor. His assistance is professional and matter of fact.
Interesting, you both carry the deprecated gear. I've always valued travelling light.
"It may prove useful as a barter item, and its weight is negligible for this unit's carrying capacity" - Akkramar adds matter of fact.
Certainly. Let's move on. Will you be wearing the insignia? A disguise?
"It is not my intention no - do you consider it would be useful?"
It could lower their guard. Or afford us access, otherwise prohibited. The rest can be your prisoners. I would suggest carrying their weapons as well as the... unholy symbol.
If enough pieces are familiar, they will hand wave us through.
"Your reasoning is sound" - Akkramar nods at Gabriel, then picks up the insignia and turns to Lann - "What do you believe are the chances we will meet with others from this same group, or their mongrelmen allies, along our current path?"
"I like the idea, Gabriel, but we should check in with our clan before your plan happens. Besides, you'll need to go through our encampment to take the tunnels that leads to them."
"Would they be so easily fooled by the symbols, they would not see the faces of strangers walking among them?" Sarasanna queries. By her interest, she clearly likes the idea; however, she is expressing a genuine concern with the plan.
She then shrugs her shoulders. "Though perhaps those foolish enough to worship a god of demons are easy to deceive."
"I like the idea, Gabriel, but we should check in with our clan before your plan happens. Besides, you'll need to go through our encampment to take the tunnels that leads to them."
"Let us do so then, and decide upon a set course of action afterwards" - Akkramar ads, moving along.
"Would they be so easily fooled by the symbols, they would not see the faces of strangers walking among them?" Sarasanna queries. By her interest, she clearly likes the idea; however, she is expressing a genuine concern with the plan.
She then shrugs her shoulders. "Though perhaps those foolish enough to worship a god of demons are easy to deceive."
"I am not sure, but I believe it will depend on how the ruse is set up? If we make it coherent, it may meet with success I believe"
In a large force they may not know each other by face. Cults beat individuality out of you, so you... cow and obey. The insignia and uniform may be enough.
And, it doesn't have to make them our friends. Just get us close enough to do whatever we need to. Better that being identified as intruders from a distance by sentries. It is only one facet of the scenario.
Garbiel looks at Sarasanna for a spell.
Your questioning is... appreciated.
We each bring our own skills and viewpoints to any given situation or scenario. Only, when we are each either satisfied with probable success or willing to accept the risk of an action, will we be successful.
Obviously disgruntled by the duplicity inherent in what the others are contemplating, Iacobus holds his tongue; merely nodding in agreement with Lann's statement regarding travelling through his own tribe's realm.
Lann... lead on.
"Points taken," Sarasanna acknowledges, nodding to both Gabriel and Akkramar. "My brother sometimes said I asked too many questions, but then he also said that many of the questions I asked saved our lives more than once on the borderlands. One must be prepared for multiple possibilities."
She then turns her gaze to Lann as well. "Yes, let us continue on to your camp."
Lann looks at you and nods, heading forth down the tunnel. All of you move cautiously, keeping an eye out for more fungus spewing creatures or evil worshippers. After about 15 minutes you come upon a circular depression, about 20 feet in radius, with a set of well worn wooden doors at the far end. Standing in front of those doors are four mongrelmen, spears at the ready, with swords at their sides. With the others eyeing you suspiciously, one walks towards Lann, saying "Halt! Who are these people, Lann?"
Sarasanna doesn't say anything. However, she lowers and sets down her halberd, raising her hands to show that she means no harm. She waits for either Lann to speak, or for one of her other more diplomatic party members to say something.
"Travellers from the surface" - Akkramar speaks up - "By happenstance we have come across Lann after a landslide, and offered our asssistance. We come seeking advice on a way to return to the surface" - he speaks, simple and pragmatic.
"Travellers from the surface" - Akkramar speaks up - "By happenstance we have come across Lann after a landslide, and offered our asssistance. We come seeking advice on a way to return to the surface" - he speaks, simple and pragmatic.
[dice=Diplomacy?]d20+3
Lann looks at you as you speak, then turns to the guards. "It is as they say. When they found us, they took to what was left of the watchtower we were sent to and helped pull Crel from the rubble. I am willing to speak for them."
Dakkar shrugs, I'm with them. It's obvious that there has been a serious catastrophe. We are but trying to regain the surface, where we belong. We wish you and your own no trouble, but safe passage.
Gabriel is quiet... watching.
"" Iacobus proclaims in answer to the guard's challenge. ""
The guard starts to respond to Dakkar when Iacobus shouts his introduction. Lann and the guards all stop to look the monk in some confusion. One of the guards asks who this 'Strong Man' might be.
Gabriel laughs, genuinely.
"" Iacobus replies, stentoriously, before continuing into a parable of the strong man.
He's kind of like the court jester, best to ignore him. As we were discussing...
I was informed today that my Mother, with whom I have had a tumultuous relationship & only just recently were we on anything resembling 'good' terms, died.
I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you to 'bot' me for a while, Lord Manticore."" Iacobus replies, stentoriously, before continuing into a parable of the strong man.
He's kind of like the court jester, best to ignore him. As we were discussing...
Horgus looks at you in a rather stern tone, and says curtly, "That was rather rude of you. I rather like the man; knows what he wants and isn't afraid to say it out loud." Giving you a pensive look, Horgus adds, "You could take a few lessons from the man. He then reaches over and gives Iacobus a firm pat on the back.
The guards look at you in a mixture of slight confusion and amusement. Lann shrugs his shoulders in reaction.
"Is there a place where I can sit down? My leg is giving me some trouble." Anevia look around, but sees nothing immediately available.
"Could someone please tell me where we are? Have we made back up to the surface yet?"
I was informed today that my Mother, with whom I have had a tumultuous relationship & only just recently were we on anything resembling 'good' terms, died.
I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you to 'bot' me for a while, Lord Manticore.
"Is there a place where I can sit down? My leg is giving me some trouble." Anevia look around, but sees nothing immediately available.
"Please lean on me" - Akkramar offers to Anevia, then turns to the guards again - "Will we be allowed admittance? As you can see there are wounded among us, and they require rest and attention"
"Could someone please tell me where we are? Have we made back up to the surface yet?"
Realizing they had left Aravashnial completely in the dark about what is happening, Akkramar describes the scene - "We are not yet on the surface, but instead have found an underground settlement - we are currently at its entrance, looking at nothing but a set of wooden doors, and waiting to be allowed inside" - he explains.
Finally satisfied with the responses, the guards move to open the stone doors. It takes a moment, but they open enough for all of you to walk through. The guards say, to the party, "Welcome to Neathholm. Try not to make a mess while you're here."
What you see past the doors is astounding. There is a small, dark lake rippling 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.
"Come," says Lann. "We must go down there and meet with Chief Sull. It will be he who decides what must be done next about the intruders." Lann begins walking forward.
This time Akkramar makes sure to keep Aravashnial informed regarding what surrounds them, but remains otherwise silent as they move inside the complex.
"Come," says Lann. "We must go down there and meet with Chief Sull. It will be he who decides what must be done next about the intruders." Lann begins walking forward.
"Lead the way and we shall follow" - he nods.
Ignoring Dakkar's statement completely, Iacobus claps Horgus on the back in return. His firm yet friendly grasp aiding the stouter man as he makes his way through the gates before hurrying back to assist Anevia & Aravashnial.
Leaning in while Iacobus claps his shoulder, Horgus says to him "I think you'll go far, friend. I think you will, indeed." He then shakes the man's hand and walks forward.
Lann leads you towards the largest, and most stable, building in this area. As you walk, you can see there are a couple of dozen 'homes' here, along with a couple of merchant stalls. These buildings are little more than shacks or even lean-to's, each holding a single family or a couple of occupants. In all, you figure there's not more than a handful of people here, all of them mongrelmen. They seem somewhat nervous in your presence, but none of them retreat to their homes. When you reach the stone built home of Chief Sull, Lann knocks on the wood door, and a guard opens it. Upon exchanging words, the guard lets all of you in.
Chief Sull is an older mongrelman, with bloated features, silvery hair, and one eye that is clouded over. He does, however, speak with an air of nobility; punctual and to the point.
"Lann. How is the outer flank? Did we take any damage in the earthquake?"
Lann responds by telling his leader of the damage done to the watchtower, and how you found them and helped rescue Crel. Chief Sull considers the words for a moment, rolling the words around as if tasting a fine merlot. He then swivels his head in your direction and says, "Fine work, chaps. What brings you down to our world?"
Akkramar continues describing the scene to Aravashnial as they move along - "There is a veritable community living in these caves - many families and businesses seem to proliferate" - he adds.
As Dakkar speaks to Chief Sull, Akkramar bows shortly as an introduction and in agreement with his companion's words.
"" Iacobus adds, vociferously.
Dakkar politely bows, the earthquake. When it struck, we fell into a crevasse. We have since been looking to return to the surface. Helping others that were also affected by the earthquake as we go.
Chief Sull looks at you and returns the bow, without rising from his seat. "We experienced the earthquake as well. It is rather odd and amazing that you still live after your fall; you are presently almost a thousand feet below the surface at this point. That being said, I can see that several of your party are injured. Tell me, how did you come to be in your condition?"
Akkramar continues describing the scene to Aravashnial as they move along - "There is a veritable community living in these caves - many families and businesses seem to proliferate" - he adds.
As Dakkar speaks to Chief Sull, Akkramar bows shortly as an introduction and in agreement with his companion's words.
Quietly, so as to not disturb the ongoing conversation, Aravashinal whispers to you, "So...this is an entire community of mongrels? Fascinating!
Quietly, so as to not disturb the ongoing conversation, Aravashinal whispers to you, "So...this is an entire community of mongrels? Fascinating!
Indeed it is" - Akkramar whispers back - "And they seem completely hierarchically organized" - he adds.
Chief Sull looks at you and returns the bow, without rising from his seat. "We experienced the earthquake as well. It is rather odd and amazing that you still live after your fall; you are presently almost a thousand feet below the surface at this point. That being said, I can see that several of your party are injured. Tell me, how did you come to be in your condition?"
Akkramar's eyes glaze over, his circuits identifying the actions themselves, but the logical processors unable to attribute them anything but random meaning - "Terendelev saved us" - he finds himself saying - "The earthquake was caused by a massive demonic attack on Kenabres. It ripped the ground in several places. We fell through one such chasm. As we fell" - he does not hesitate, but stops momentarily - "The dragon guardian of the city, Terendelev, midst her clash with the I believe to be Khorramzadeh, cast a spell that affected some of us, slowing our descent, and saving our lives" - he finishes the report-like details.
"I understand how far-fetched it may seem, but we have no reason to say anything other than the truth" - he adds matter of fact.
We wish to reach the surface. Is there anything we can assist you with before we leave?