Sarasanna kicks the creature as it falls on the ground, and then stabs it once, twice, thrice in different places to be sure of its death. Then, pausing for a moment, she kicks it again.
"That is for bleeding on me," she says flatly.
Holding her halberd in one hand, with the butt on the ground, she wipes some of the creatures blood from her face head and looks at it blankly.
"Next time I should remember to strike from an angle. Was anyone able to identify these strange creatures? They do not appear to be demonic life forms, but they don't appear natural either."
Sarasanna looks around for any other similar threats on the ceilings or walls.
Sarasanna kicks the creature as it falls on the ground, and then stabs it once, twice, thrice in different places to be sure of its death. Then, pausing for a moment, she kicks it again.
"That is for bleeding on me," she says flatly.
Holding her halberd in one hand, with the butt on the ground, she wipes some of the creatures blood from her face head and looks at it blankly.
"Next time I should remember to strike from an angle. Was anyone able to identify these strange creatures? They do not appear to be demonic life forms, but they don't appear natural either."
Sarasanna looks around for any other similar threats on the ceilings or walls.
[dice=Pereception] 1d20 + 9
These statues, now that you're getting a good look at them, appear to be somehow familiar...
Sarasanna takes a moment to study the statues. "These look strangely familiar," she reports, as she runs an internal query in her data banks for where she may have seen or heard of them.
I agree, something does seem familiar about these posts.
Dakkar shares his brief insight on history with the others, trying to keep it light and interesting so as to not bore anyone with a history lesson.
though it is interesting that in the same time period the city of Korvosa was going through an industrial resurgeance. This was after the fall of Westcraven as the center of Cheliax.
Of course, at that time in Cheliax the lace that was coming from their textiles was just becoming reknown for its patterns.
And don't forget that in the south several patterns of pirate attacks in the middle sea were linked to... well that's all ancient history.
In response to Dakkar mentioning his find about the statues, Aravashinal turns his head in Dakkar's general direction. "That is fascinating. You know, I have a theory..."
"...Oh, dear Gods, not this conspiracy theory babble again!" Horgus shakes his head as he gingerly walks around the creatures bleeding out on the ground.
Aravashinal pauses at the interruption. "It is not a conspiracy theory, Horgus. It is based on well-known evidence. As I was saying, my theory is that, during the First Crusade, a number of warriors were affected somehow by the abyssal energies that came flooding out of the Worldwound. Instead of being welcomed back into the fold, this group was shunned. Their experience with the energies changed their outward appearance, made them look more demonic or grotesque. It is believed..."
"...by you and your crazy bookworm friends..."
Sighing, Aravashinal starts again. "It is believed that these men, and maybe a few women, escaped to this underground 'sanctuary' to live out their lives in some semblance of civilization. If what you say is true, Dakkar, these statues may have been carved by those same warriors, or even their descendants. Enough time has passed for at least a couple of generations to have been spawned."
"So what you're saying is that, there maybe some humanoid creatures down here, who could help us, but because our grandparents told them to take a hike, they might not be so friendly to us?"
Pondering over it for a moment, Aravashinal says, "Well, that's one possibility."
"Perhaps it shall be to our advantage that most of us in the escort are not native to Kenabres. We do not share in this history, so perhaps they shall not see their ancestors' oppressors in us,"
Sarasanna says conversationally as she dead-checks the other critter, stabbing it three to four times, in about the same way as someone might calmly snuff out a candle.
This line here, it looks like it was scratched in afterwards, it says The answer is 42. I wonder what that means?
All of you can hear something shift or fall in the hallway to the south.
Dakkar quietly approaches the hallway and peaks around the corner.
Sneaky humanoid, approx 30' Dakkar informs the others over his comm.
Sarasanna readies her halberd, and keeps an eye out for the humanoid.
Sarasanna shrugs off her pack, and begins to move as quietly toward the shadowy figure for a closer look.
Sighing, Aravashinal starts again. "It is believed that these men, and maybe a few women, escaped to this underground 'sanctuary' to live out their lives in some semblance of civilization. If what you say is true, Dakkar, these statues may have been carved by those same warriors, or even their descendants. Enough time has passed for at least a couple of generations to have been spawned."
Akkramar listens attentively to the knowlegeable elf's words - "Your logic is mostly sound - if there would be members of the First Crusade living underground, whether affected by abyssal energies or not, it would make sense for them to erect these statues in rememberance of their former life" - he analyzes.
"So what you're saying is that, there maybe some humanoid creatures down here, who could help us, but because our grandparents told them to take a hike, they might not be so friendly to us?"
"Such presence, if confirmed, and determined helpful, could prove a significant advantage to the completion of our task of ascending to the surface" - he nods.
- the android communicates, silently following his companion.
Sighing, Aravashinal starts again. "It is believed that these men, and maybe a few women, escaped to this underground 'sanctuary' to live out their lives in some semblance of civilization. If what you say is true, Dakkar, these statues may have been carved by those same warriors, or even their descendants. Enough time has passed for at least a couple of generations to have been spawned."Akkramar listens attentively to the knowlegeable elf's words - "Your logic is mostly sound - if there would be members of the First Crusade living underground, whether affected by abyssal energies or not, it would make sense for them to erect these statues in rememberance of their former life" - he analyzes.
Tapping you on the shoulder, Horgus says to you, Oh, please tell me you're not buying into what the elf is selling, are you?" Holding his hands up in a placating manner before you can respond, Horgus continues. "Look, you might not know the guy, but Aravashinal's 'theories,' tend to be little more than hash in the end. It's best to take his ideas with a few spoonfuls of salt."
[b]"So what you're saying is that, there maybe some humanoid creatures down here, who could help us, but because our grandparents told them to take a hike, they might not be so friendly to us?"
"Such presence, if confirmed, and determined helpful, could prove a significant advantage to the completion of our task of ascending to the surface" - he nods.
"Anything to get us back up top would be a blessing."
Sarasanna remains alert as she pads forward, trying for a closer look at the shadowy stranger as well as anything else of note in the area.
Sarasanna halts her advance as she hears the dwarf's shout, and studies his appearance for a moment. He appears alive enough.
Sarasanna takes the dwarf's meaning quite literally, not exactly sure of his motive or the idiomatic nuance of his screamed words.
- Akkramar retorts -
Still with his weapon in hand, the android takes a step further - "You are mistaken" - he begins - "We are not intent on taking you to any Crusaders, nor am I aware of who do you refer to" - he speaks calmly - "Have you been in these caves for a long time?"
As a wanderer of Numeria's wilds in her previous life, even before her resurrection, Sarasanna was more at home in remote, isolated places. Her only company, if any, were fellow scouts, rangers, and barbarians.
She therefore watches as her counter part's silken words work their magic. Sarasanna watches silently with a perfectly neutral expression. This blank gaze is the closest thing to an android's esteem.
- Akkramar retorts -
Still with his weapon in hand, the android takes a step further - "You are mistaken" - he begins - "We are not intent on taking you to any Crusaders, nor am I aware of who do you refer to" - he speaks calmly - "Have you been in these caves for a long time?"
The dwarf seems confused by your statement. He shakes his head and says "I've been staying away from you Crusaders for a long time, you're not taking me back; I've done nothing wrong and you know it."
"Wait a moment!" - Akkramar dashes after the dwarf - "We are not your foes, and would speak with you. We require assistance and directions!"
Akkramar approaches the dwarf - "We are not your foes, and would speak with you. We require assistance and directions!" - in spite of holding his weapon, he does not act with aggressiveness - "We are not Crusaders, and we do not intend to take you back to anywhere - we mean only to leave these caves. Can you assist?"
Lucifer stands by, confused by the dwarf's commentary and hesitant to get involved. I'm not a people person... wasn't programmed to be.
Sarasanna has nothing to add to Akkramar's assurance and questions at the moment. She does lower her halberd, placing the sharp end on the ground, as a non-threatening gesture.
She does observe their interlocutor for visible signs of his next action. Is he perspiring, is he looking for a way to run, or does he seem to be relaxing in response to learning that 'we are not crusaders'?
Also, is he carrying any weapons, or wearing any armor?
Akkramar approaches the dwarf - "We are not your foes, and would speak with you. We require assistance and directions!" - in spite of holding his weapon, he does not act with aggressiveness - "We are not Crusaders, and we do not intend to take you back to anywhere - we mean only to leave these caves. Can you assist?"
The dwarf sputters for a moment, then relaxes, or at least appears to. Still holding the knife in his hand, but using it more as a pointer, he says. "So if you're not a Crusader, as you say, then that means that the demons have won, right?"
Sarasanna has nothing to add to Akkramar's assurance and questions at the moment. She does lower her halberd, placing the sharp end on the ground, as a non-threatening gesture.
She does observe their interlocutor for visible signs of his next action. Is he perspiring, is he looking for a way to run, or does he seem to be relaxing in response to learning that 'we are not crusaders'?
Also, is he carrying any weapons, or wearing any armor?
[dice=Perception] 1d20 + 10
As far as weapons, he has a dagger in his hand, but he's currently swinging it around like you would with a laser pointer. He does have a crossbow slung across his back, however. As for armor, none per se, but if you have Spellcraft, I'll let you roll it to see if you can figure out what spell(s) he's under.
"Although we are not Crusaders, that does not entail that all of them are dead and that the demons have won the war. So no, that is not right." Sarasanna interjects flatly in her pleasant feminine monotone.
"Ah, I see." The dwarf takes a firmer grasp on his dagger and says, "Well, if the demons had won, then it wouldn't matter and I could easily point the way out. Hell if you were demons, I'd probably lead the way, and then slice you anyway. I've got no love for them either, but at least they wouldn't need to take me away, like you two obviously want to do. So just stay back! Go back the way you came, and I'll not have to hurt you. I am a very powerful wizard, you know. And you know what wizards can do. So do you want to live, or do you want to spend your days as a frog?"
Something strangely primordial stirs within Akkramar's circuits as he listens to the dwarf's words. Storing the 'sensation' away for further analysis, he again addresses their interloper - "We cannot go back towards whence we came since we have ascertained it offers no option of egress towards the surface" - he reasons - "I do not quite understand your allegiances, since you seem hostile towards both crusaders and demons. We are not one or the other, so will you offer us advice and point us toward the exit?" - the android questions - "We do not wish any confrontation, so threats are uncalled for" - he adds.
Something strangely primordial stirs within Akkramar's circuits as he listens to the dwarf's words. Storing the 'sensation' away for further analysis, he again addresses their interloper - "We cannot go back towards whence we came since we have ascertained it offers no option of egress towards the surface" - he reasons - "I do not quite understand your allegiances, since you seem hostile towards both crusaders and demons. We are not one or the other, so will you offer us advice and point us toward the exit?" - the android questions - "We do not wish any confrontation, so threats are uncalled for" - he adds.
The dwarf looks at you warily, then his face clears. He puts his dagger away, and points to an area behind him. "Right, so, go around the corner here. There's a natural tunnel that leads up a fair bit. Bear in mind that the tunnels a bit steep; if your not a climber, you might want to use some ropes. After that, the tunnel keeps going for maybe a mile, little less than that. Then say hi to the mongrelmen for me." With that, the dwarf goes to sit down in front of the fire and goes to read from a well-worn book.