Kayla was not far off from the dead spider when the worms erupted from the cracass. the sudden appearance caught her a bit by surprise and she back flips out of immediate reach drawing her small balde as she does so. landing some 10 paces away in a ready fighting stance sword drawn.
You are quite certain that her leg is broken, and a cure spell may actually be more harmful then helpful as it will half heal the bone in the wrong position. You will need to reset the bone and splint the leg. A cure spell will only begin the healing process and remove some of the pain. A full repair of the break will require a Regeneration spell
Grunting in a mix of surprise and disgust at the sudden appearance of the maggots, stepping forward and pulling shorter the chain of his dorn dergar so he can reach the creatures and not interfere with Reinnwulf's reach.
After a quick wind-up swinging the heavy iron ball over his head, Barundar brings the weapon down full-force at the maggot Weyland had just attacked!
Enshi looks up from his efforts to heal the lordling at the sound of Vaelor casting and swears. Dropping the man's arm, Enshi runs toward the maggots. Come on, come on. This is what Father trained you for. Don't screw it up. As he comes within range, he'll shout, "Lu Qataya Qamu Za-e!" A cone of fire pours forth from his hands, engulfing the maggots.
The maggots move to attack Reinnwulf, but he hacks three of them up in a rapid succession. The last one is quickly blasted by a wave of cold energy and then is finally burnt to a crips. An unusual popping sound is heard as the maggot bursts from the heat, like an overcooked sausage on a cook fire.
[ooc]For those with darkvision, you are able to see beyond the sunrod and can see two separate exits from where you are. Both are on the east side of where you fell from and seem to head off in parallel directions.
Anevia tries to get up once the maggots burst from the spider, but she whimpers in pain and is unable to get up. The nobleman cowers in the corner and the middle aged elf, Aravashnial, draws out a wand and tries to aim it several times before giving up in his blind frustration. Once combat has finished, the blind elf uses his staff to venture over as best as he can.
"Glad we have some competent people along for the ride. Think it's time we start heading for the surface!"
"I couldn't agree more Father." Vaelor said as he offered his arm to the blind Elf.
Reinnwulf flings the spear out and brakes it hard with his left hand, sending the gore from the three maggots he killed spraying out across the caverns. With a joyful laugh, he lifted the battle to his ancestors. "Hah! Not much fight there, but a good way to wake up, hey? You will have to do better than that, friends, if you wish to best Reinnwulf Storvagson. But I think you are right, elf. It is time we head for the surface." He stared about, not able to see any farther than the reach of the paladin's glowing stick.
"Of course, it may be that one of you might have to point the way. Are not dwarves supposed to know their way underground? Perhaps Barundar can tell us the way?"
To Anevia, he called, "You, girl. Do you need someone to carry you from this place? I am strong, and a small thing like yourself would not slow me much." He completely ignored the nobleman. A cowering pustule like that deserved to remain hidden in the darkness away from the decent eyes of warriors.
"Weel fought, Reinnwulf. Though next time, mibbie lea some fur th' rest o' us, eh?" he answers, only the hint of a smile crossing his face. It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious.
"Ah suppose ah kin huv a go tae mak' masell useful in this wey." he replies to Reinnwulf, approaching the split passage and examining each tunnel to see if he can tell whether one, or both, of them lead back towards the surface.
Reinnwulf stalked over to the aasimar helping the blinded old elf. "Sorcerer, do not try and use your foul powers on me or anyone else in this company. I may have to put up with you until we reach safety above ground, but I will stick you like a piglet if you try to harm others with your foul magics. You have been warned!"
"My magic isn't foul!" Vaelor protested. The source of them maybe, but not the magic itself. He thought.
"So yaps the dog when you tell him his stinks. The warning was fairly given. Use your demon-spawned magic on me or any of the others here, and you will face the source of those powers, personally."
Regaining his composer, Vaelor calmly responded, "My powers are not demon-spawned. And I assure you I will not use them on you or anyone here, unless it is to save your life. Is that agreeable?" The Aasimar could almost swear he heard the book at his side chuckling.
"We'll and good...for now. But I will have my eye on you, sorcerer! Just know that I do not trust you any farther than I could spit a rat."
Displaying unseen confidence, now that things are in his bailiwick, Enshi says, "Please, before we go anywhere, I need to set this woman's leg. Could one of you please wrap the bandages once I've gotten it splinted?" Enshi first offers a prayer to the Dawnflower for each of them, asking her to guide their hands to heal this woman. Then, pulling supplies as needed from his healer's kit, he'll set the woman's leg and hold it still while his assistant binds it. Once all that is done, he'll move his hands gently down the injury, calling on Sarenrae to speed the healing process.
Once the healing is done, Enshi's personality reverts to his normal hesitance. "I hope we aren't going to need to fight amongst ourselves. We're all down here together, and it will likely take all of us working together to make it back to the surface. There are ways, I have heard, that can assist in determining if one is a demon or demon-tainted. There are spells that can see the taint on a man. I know my father could do so, and he was one of Sarenrae's holy warriors. Perhaps this is also true of the Inheritor's chosen?" Enshi looks to Weyland, hoping he'll offer to assist.
Kayla, noticing the combat over and she has escaped without so much a sword swing. she wanders cautiously to the parallel tunnels examining for any signs that may indicate a good choice.
starting by looking for signs of other creatures that may have used them.
the spider may have come from one of the tunnels so look for signs of that.
she makes sure to stay clear of the dwarf in his searching so she does not interfere with him.
Aravashnial touches the shoulder of his adopted son and smiles in the direction of Reinnwulf. "Appears we have some uncouth savages in our midst who are unenlightened to how magic might benefit their life. You can make darn sure that I or my son will not be using our magic on you, which is a defiant bad decision on your part. No matter, let's gather everyone together and head to the surface."
The nobleman comes out from hiding behind a rock and brushes himself off, "Yes well, quite, for those that don't know me, I am Horgus of House Gwerm. We do need to get to the surface, and if any of you feels like keeping me from harm, I can certainly make sure you are reimbursed for your troubles. Going rate for hazard pay for a troupe of bodyguards is a thousand gold pieces... any takers?"
Enshi, you set the bone, but your healing spells won't get rid of much of her pain. Anevia looks up at the healer with a strained smile on her face, "It's ok, save your healing, I will be able to make it out." She shakes her head at Reinnwulf. "I don't want to trouble you with my weight, but if someone can find a stick or a plank of wood, I can use that as a crutch."
Horgus finally sees Anevia from behind the rock and sniffs loudly, he mutters something under his breath before moving over to the exits.
Barundar and Kayla, you both come to the same conclusion. The exits both appear to run parallel, but for how long you are not sure as they both head straight for quite a long distance, well outside of your range of vision.
Reinnwulf just glared at the old elf, which of course was lost on the newly blinded man. As the noble spoke up, however, the barbarian turned his direction.
At the mention of money, Reinnwulf turned his attention back to the nobleman. "I have done bodyguard work before, and coin is coin. We are all headed the same direction for now. I will take your coin, and keep your skin whole in the bargain, as much as my skills allow. I am Reinnwulf Storvagson, of the Silverwolf Clan of the North."
"I cannot speak for all, but if you are to be paying for protection, you should heed some advice. Stay in the middle of the group and do no expose yourself to unnecessary risk. Do no be the first to enter a chamber, nor the lst to leave it. Do not stand long before a window - though we are not likely to find any of those here - or doorway. And above all, if someone tells you to move, then move! Quickly and without argument. These things are not intended to demean you or your station, but to help us in keeping you from harm."
Reinnwulf rattled off his list with a bored precision as if he had said them many times before - which he had. Ulfen bodyguards were in high demand in the soft lands, and he had filled his money pouch many times over with short term bodyguard work.
Finished speaking, he then grabbed a splintered plank of wood from the ground and pulled out his dagger. With a few swift strokes he removed the splintered edge and smoothed the top piece. It looked like a rough l-shape, and he finished by pulling a spare shirt from his backpack and wrapping it around the top. Handing it to Enshi, he said "My sister..." he choked on the words for a moment, then continued, "she used a crutch like this when she broke her foot in a fall from a tree. The top really should be padded, and covered with leather, but we do not have the time for that here. "
Enshi reaches into his pack and pulls out the kaffiyeh his father always tried to make him wear, tears the linen into strips, then wraps those around the stick Reinnwulf had given him to make a rough pad. "Something like that?". Enshi hands it to Anevia. If the Dawnflower grants me more healing power today, I will see if I can do more for the pain. I will pray for more suitable spells on the morrow, as well."
Kayla glances toward the dwarf also searching. then back to the ground once more
no other signs on the floor, that spider came from somewhere and must have been hunting something or at least waiting to catch something. of course it could have been dead for some time.
Kayla makes her way around the chamber some still keeping everyone in her field of vision looking for other hidden entrances or crevases that may lead to something. even for signs of where they may be.
Weyland turns to the Barbarian, "Now is hardly the time to turn on each other. Magic is a tool, it is no more evil than a sword. The man wielding it can use it for good or ill, but the tool is neither, it simply is. Besides, considering the predicament we are in at present, I don't think anyone is in the position to refuse aid, no matter the source."
Turning his attention to the nobel, Weyland gives Horgus a polite bow, "Lord Gwerm, we will do our best to see you all safely to the surface, but I advise that we all stay together. If we break into various groups, we would be easy targets for any foul menace that may lurk within these tunnels."
"I am sorry that we cannot do more for you injuries," he says to Anevia and Aravashnial. "I'm sure more aid can be found at the surface. Perhaps for the present you two would be will to aid each other? The lady could serve as your eyes Master elf, if you would give her a little support."
He then waves over Kayla, "Small mistress, meaning no disrespect, you have the look of sneak about you. Perhaps you would be willing to scout out our next course of action, as you seem comfortable in the dark. With our wounded, any insight into what is ahead would be invaluable."
Kayla glances toward the paladin.
me? Im just a circus performer turned barmaid. But i am sure i could help. Which direction do you you think best?
Barundar snorts derisively at Gwerm's offer, scowling in distaste. He loudly hocks up a wad of saliva and spits on the floor of the cave, an obvious show of his displeasure.
"Ah will hulp save yer worthless hide, bit nae fur yer coin. Dae lik' th' northman says 'n' ye'll git oot o' 'ere wi' yer skin aye oan yer bones. Mair than ye would oan yer ain, anyway."
His piece said, he turns his attention to the others, clearly having a great deal more respect for the other adventurers than for the nobleman.
"From 'ere, thir's na wey tae tell which is th' best path. Thay run beside each ither fur langer than mah eyes ur guid fur in th' dark. Let us pick a direction 'n' go. "
"If we must pick a direction, and neither appears better than the other, then I say to the right."
"That sounds good to me. Let us be off." Vaelor chimed in as he help his foster father along.
You begin to move off down the right corridor, and with Anevia hopping along on her crutch, and Aravashnial moving slowly due to his loss of sight, the going is slow. You continue down for some time before the corridor widens slightly, allowing for two people to travel side by side.
A stone ledge juts out at a right angle on the south wall of this cavern, fourteen feet off the ground. The leather strap of a backpack hangs from the edge of the ledge, while above, a narrow fissure yawns up into the dark.
Reinnwulf walks near the head of the party as they set out. He can't see far in the darkness, but between the paladin's light and the darkvision of the dwarf beside him, he was at least fairly confident that they weren't about to stumble into an open pit or walk straight into a pack of predators. Besides, the slow pace they were moving at prevented them from hasty actions anyways.
His main concern was the crevasses that opened above them, too deep for anyone to reliably see into. Looking up he spotted the lip of a ledge, not 15 feet above them, adding yet another layer of worry. Those ledges would make for good ambush spots.
As he was looking at the ledge, he spotted a leather strap from what looked like a pack of some kind hanging over the edge. "Hold. There looks to be a pack of sorts up there. It might hold some supplies that would be of use. Let me try and hook it down with."
Taking his ranseur, he stretched the weapon high above his head and tried to slip the point through the dangling strap and pull the pack down.
Despite the Paladin's advice it seemed others would rather take point. Kayla let them, she was not one to cross a larger person with an even larger weapon.
Kayla moves to try and get a better view of the ledge wondering if some carvern dwelling creature lays in wait.
she will allow the mighty warrior attempt to grab the leather strap before using any of her talents. let heros be heros I always say
The strap just seems to small of a target to hook at that height. Someone will need to climb up to get it.
After several tries, Reinnwulf gave up in disgust. "I cannot seem to hook the strap. Are any of you good enough climbers to get up there? I could boost you up to within a few feet, I imagine."
"Perhaps our resident Acrobat here could reach it." The Sorcerer commented while looking at the Gnome.
"I have rope that you could use, if you like. Father was always complaining that people never brought enough rope into the Worldwound, and so he made sure I had some."
Kayla looks on at the distance to climb and the wall situation.
I can give it a shot. but I ain't much of a wall climber.
she rubs her hands together as she approaches.
looking up at the strap and the ledge estimating the distance.
then, holding her hand out, she makes motions with her hand as if she were at the pack and picking it up.
The strap moves and strains towards you, but the pack stays motionless.
"I've a grapple 'n' some rope. Mibbie we cuid snag it 'n' pull th' pack down?"
"I've a grapple 'n' some rope. Mibbie we cuid snag it 'n' pull th' pack down?"
Looking at the dwarf Yeah good idea, lets go with that
realizing that the pack might be holding some useful stuff.
"Here. Why don't you hold this?" Reinnwulf hands Barundar his spear and takes the rope and hook. The ledge isn't that high up , so a couple of easy tosses later and he found a decent purchase. He grabbed the rope, and began to climb to the ledge.
Rope with wall to brace against is what? DC 5? Climb roll with armor penalty below.
You are able to grab the bag with no issue. You notice right away that it's a crusader back pack from the symbol of Iomedae upon the front. The bag itself is quite well made, masterwork quality in fact.
Opening it, you find ten days worth of trail rations, twenty arrows made of cold iron, two daggers also made of cold iron, and two potions. The labels on the potions state that they are a cure light potion and a lesser restoration potion.
"It is full of supplies that we might need. A good find. Some cold iron weapons and potions of healing. I wonder at how it got here, though. Perhaps another fell from above?" Reinnwulf easily made his way back down and, with a few tugs, dislodged the grappling hook and rope.
He handed the pack to Enshi, and withdrew one of the daggers. "Anyone mind if I take this, just in case?" He slid the dagger into his right boot. "When we reach the surface, I will return it to the pack and we can split the profits."
"It mak's na difference tae me. Mah dorn dergar is as guid claise as at distance 'n' a've na uise fur th' arrows. It seems likely that someone dropped th' pack intae th' same chasm we fell intae whin th' Storm King attacked." he answered.
"Let's be oan oor way."
"This pack is as good as my own. If we emptied it out, it will help somebody with carrying their load. Better than the common pack. I have no skill with bows, if somebody else would like the arrows, but I'm glad to carry."
A pack, loaded for possible exploration. hmmm...
Kayla starts to look around for signs of an owner for the pack, or at least an original owner.
her chance to be somewhat useful only proved she was worthless to these folks. well no matter, Kayla knows she isn't worthless.
"The food may be of use as well. These caverns seem extensive and if we are unlucky, it may take a while to find our way back to the surface. Shall we continue on wards?"
If there is no objection, Weyland will continue along the passage.
"Yes, onwards is a good plan."
As you journey down, the walls of the cavern close in on you once again, forcing you to walk single file. After about an hour of walking, the trail opens up once again as the path you were following is joined by what you can easily assume was the parallel path. The trail forward is much larger.