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The young bard seems lost in his thoughts for a moment
Why-and how-will so many different, extra planar creatures claw at the rock? They wouldn't co-operate. They would have no reason to be there. Not at the same time. The claws marks were distinct, so this wasn't a competition for territory.There is something foul there.
Spotting the concentric circles, he studies them, carefully.
If you have been trapped here for so long, you probably don't mind if I take a few minutes to study these circles and how to free you without danger. It would be shame to fall for a trap after this lenghty, perilous trip, just to fail on a last, unexpected trick. I didn't heard your name, sorry...
”I’m afraid to say I haven’t the foggiest.” Gamin replies to Idril. ”I at least have never seen that man before. But perhaps my senses are as cracked as my blade if I missed an entire complex nearly under our noses this entire time as well.”The sword seems a bit embarrassed by his ignorance.
From the circle, a hard bitter laugh leaks out as Lukaas crouches to examine the circles”Of course. Look. Centuries down here alone and I still can’t leave this cage.”
”Koth’Vaul” the gnome says, his pitch starting to sound more animated. ”My name is Koth’Vaul. I was just an adventurer on my way to Azlant when an organization that called themselves the Thrallkeepers ambushed me. They dragged me here and threw me in this circle. From listening to them talk they wanted to drain my fey essence to power their own magic. From what I understand this whole ‘Edifice’ was devoted to conjuring outsiders for experiments and fuel. But their group was on the wane, dying; desperate, to have to resort to trying to tap into faint remnants of the First World lingering in our blood.
”The last of my captors left, or died, a long time ago. But their blasted wards are still up. So long. All I want is to see the sky one more time.” He sighs, wearily. ”I won’t last long – the bindings are all that’s kept me young, I’ll not last long once rid of them. But I can die free, and who knows, maybe my spirit can finally get to go back to the First World in full in the passing.”
As Koth’Vaul trails off, the cavern’s silence is broken by Kalkamedes shuffling slowly further on into the cavern. Koth’Vaul stares at the snoring man for a moment, first in confusion, then with widened eyes. ”That man there, his face…He’s sleepwalking? Did he come subconsciously to this place? Did he lead you here? Oh, Johnais I never should have doubted you!” The gnome starts shedding tears, appearing shocked. ”In the days I was out in the world I travelled with a man named Johanis. A good man, if a bit slow. When I was accosted he was able to escape, and though he couldn’t help me then Johanis swore that he or his trusted men would mount a rescue. I long since assumed he had abandoned the pledge: he must be long since dust. But your friend is his spitting image! Kin drawn here after ten generations, answering his ancestor’s call for justice. I, I am overwhelmed by the thought of such loyalty.”
Also, you’ve heard of the Thrallkeepers. They were a Thassilonian cult that summoned and stored thousands of outsiders for service and weapons. All traces of them vanished with their Runelord masters thousands of years ago however: without very strange magics or sun-orchid elixers Kalkamedes being a tenth-generation descendant of somone from that time is biologically impossible for a human. Though its possible the gnome is just bad at math…
Examining the warding circle Koth’Vaul is trapped in, you recognize the markings, though some of the symbols are of a now-archaic sort. The bindings surrounding the gnome are primarily designed to imprison outsiders. They alone shouldn’t stop a simple gnome from just walking across them. What’s more, the wards seem to have been degrading over time, if slowly, and were likely once more potent than they are now.
All together, Koth’Vaul’s lying about something.
Holding the rope, he is quiet in watching what is going on.
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So what you are saying is that Kalkamedes might be under the influence or direction of your friend Johnais? Or Johnais' spirit at least? That is highly irregular, but there are many odd things that can be done with the power of friendship and devotion.
Therin hands Koth'Vaul some food and water.
I don't know if you are hungry, but I would feel bad if I didn't at least offer...
Therin then casts Detect Magic
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Idril sheathes his sword and crouches down, examining the circles. His face takes on a momentary flash of concern which is quickly replaced with a more neutral expression. He straightens and walks over to Therin. Eyeing the gnome, he leans over to Therin and quietly explains his observations of the circle to the cleric.
Examining the warding circle Koth’Vaul is trapped in, you recognize the markings, though some of the symbols are of a now-archaic sort. The bindings surrounding the gnome are primarily designed to imprison outsiders. They alone shouldn’t stop a simple gnome from just walking across them. What’s more, the wards seem to have been degrading over time, if slowly, and were likely once more potent than they are now.
Kalkamedes continues his labored march westward, Killia and Sukune peering after him. At the edges of the faint light from your gear, you see that there's what might be another alcove branching off to the right, along with a path veering north.
Therin looks over Koth'Vaul. He appears tired and a bit mal-nutured, but mostly unharmed. As he approaches the gnome with his waterskin and some rations, Idril follows him, whispering in the cleric's ear. Koth'Vaul's head perks up at the glimpse of food. "Oh, thank you! I haven't had to eat in an age but I miss the taste of food."
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Killia nods to Sukune and watches the retired Pathfinder stumble towards another part of the cave and he turns to his companions with an inquisitive look. Wondering he moves over to Baphos as he he finishes examining the place and speaks in his ear.
"There seems to be more to this place and Kalkemedes is moving that way."
Koth'Vaul's thin smile quickly turns to surprise, then anger when Therin halts his advance at the last minute and Lukaas audibly warns the party against him.
"So, you won't help me. Leave me trapped here for another age?. FINE! Ilvaster: Come and get a treat!"
You hear shuffling sounds from the shadowy blackness to the west, and the noise of something or things clattering on the stone as Koth'Vaul begins staring dagger at you.
Initiative
Baphos
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Baphos nods to Killia. "Killia, thanks for the advice. I tried to look on that direction but something blur my vision."
Then, Baphos move forward, behind to Kalkamedes. And turning to killia casts Guidance.
Listening to the noises coming from the dark Baphos tries to recognize the creature or creatures.
As Baphos moves forward, his light illuminates a wider cavern, and dimly at the edge of his vision he can make out the edge of a body of water. Scrabbling along the ground the oracle can make out two…hands? Glistening with viscera at their severed wrists, whatever things or creatures they are are unknown to the Oracle
Kalkamedes, ignorant of the combat beginning around him again, starts to make his way down to the south. Meanwhile, a sound somewhere between a raspy grunt and a roar echoes through the cavern as a black dragon charges out from the darkness and bites at Baphos. A silver mithral band adorns its left horn.
for
Initiative
Idril
Sukune
Killia (guidance-d)
Therin
Idril chants a few hurried words as a barrier of force emerges before him. Further down the tunnel, as Baphos blees heavily from the beast's bite, Killia lines up a great shot on the dragon, blasting away a good portion of its torso. As bits of viscera drop down on the floor, the creature's blood and torn off skin appear rotten.
Initiative
Sukune
Therin
Sukune raises a brow, holding his rope. "No gnome, I know. Besides...by the looks of that circle...you are not of this world. So you were likely stuck there for a reason...and who am I to deny that reason."
Dropping the rope, Sukune rushes forward, charging the dragon, hoping to end this fast. "Someone grab the rope!"
Therin hurries forward. Sukune's charge takes at least the largest threat down - his mighty blow crushes the dragon so hard the horn with the mithral band is broken off, revealing a now smashed zombie.
The crawling hand scrambles forward along the ground. It leaps at Sukune and grabs at his throat.
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Initiative
Lukaas
Swinging at the leaping hand, Sukune looks very calm with his weapon in hand, instead of a rope.
Sukune's chop and the hand at his throat misses, but luckily the monstrosity can't get a grip on the man. As Lukaas' bolt goes wide, the remaining hand crawls rapidly forward before launching itself at Baphos.
for
From where you all are, the faint reaches of your light can help you make out another circle in the southwestern alcove Kalkamedes is moving towards. A crumpled figure sits inside, not moving.
Initiative
Baphos 1/11 hp
As Baphos hits the hand at his face with a blast of positive energy, causing it to shrivel slightly, Kalkamedes continues his path southwards. Reaching the edge of the second circle, he begins walking into it, towards the motionless figure.
Initiative
Idril
Sukune
Killia
Therin
Idril hurries forward as Therin channels some of his gods' power against the undead. Meanwhile, Idril lines up a shot and waits for his opening.
Initiative
Sukune
Sukune steps back slightly and swings at the hand.
"Finish the last ones...Kalkamedes is off towards someone..."
Sukune sidesteps and crushes the hand before him into a flattened mess of rotting flesh.
Initiative
Lukaas
Lukaas reloads his crossbow and launches another bolt at the remaining hand.
for
As the bolt shoots wide, the hand continues to twist and scratch to get at Baphos' throat.
for
The hand finds purchase this time, as the already wounded halfling falls unconscious. As he does, Killia's shot rings out to take a chunk out of the hand. Meanwhile, Kalkamedes finishes walking into the second circle, and now stands, snoring, in place by the grounded figure within.
Initiative
Idril
Sukune
Killia
Therin
Lukaas
As Baphos' fallen body slows its bleeding, another blast of life energy and a shot from Killia cause the final hand to drop, twitching for a second before lying still.
To the southwest Kalkamedes remains standing where he stopped. Gamin calls out. "Where, where did he go? Is he hurt? My...capacities are limited."
Behind you, the gnome's voice calls back as the sound of steel and yells subsides. "Ah, brave warriors. You have proven your worth and slain the remaining guardians then? Spectacular! But now you should run: soon more and more will return, an endless tide."
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Killia shrugs and reloads his rifle, taking the moment to check the gun over to ensure it remains undamaged and in working order. Turning to the blade in Therin's hand he shrugs off the awkwardness at talking to metal and informs them of the current lie of the land.
"Kalkemedes has gone to that alcove over there, seems another figure is with him."
Therin uses his god's blessing to restore Baphos to consciousness. . As he moves downward to make sure that their charge is okay, the light he brings gives him a better look at the form within the slightly raised circle. Collapsed at Kalkamedes feet is a beautiful, elven woman, with the bearing an build of a warrior. A sword cracking with energy lies dropped beside her, and as you approach you notice she bears multiple bruises and wounds.
Surrounding them both is a circle much like the one surrounding Koth'Vaul, but these lines appear fresh, and unfaded by age.
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Baphos opens slowly his eyes, he doesn´t move for a moment, staring in to the ceiling of the cave. He is thinking about what happened. Wait, it´s not time to rest. He stands up quickly. "Thank you, Therin."
Baphos takes the Cure Light Wounds from the floor of the cave and casts on him.
Then, when he feels better, moves to the new circle and analize it trying to remember something learned in the past.
He doesn´t remember or know nothing about this circle.
The figure does not appear to respond to Idril's words. Close up, she appears unconscious.
From the other circle, Koth'Vaul calls out. "What is that you're saying? Ah, her, yes. My sister, captured along with me. Has she fallen? She always was frail. I have some curative magic that could aid her, if I were freed to get near..."
Theirn and Baphos can both tell the the circle seems to have a strong aura of abjuration, though the exact sort is unclear. As Therin approaches her, he too can see that she looks bruised, slashed, and unconscious, but the exact nature of those wounds he can't determine.