"The art of medicine was something that my previous trainer had wanted to teach me but she didn't have time or resources to do so on her own before she had left. It would probably be best that I stayed here just in case something goes wrong.
Paul, I will pray for your success."
As far as the order of operations (literally) should go, I suggest the following:
1st: We start with Arlene, as she is the doctor's wife and once she is safe he should not worry about the horrible fate befalling her and being able to focus better for later.
2nd: Then we go with Mia, she is a young girl and now that the doctor has a grasp on how to operate he'll be faster and pose less risk to any accidents. This should benefit with Galino's sense of justice as being a hero to give them space.
3rd: Next should be Lemagrag, as he's a coward he would probably start getting really nervous about being left as last. The doctor would be well acquainted with things and he's not last on the list so this should appease him at least somewhat.
4th: Finally, we finish off with Galino. The hero's always the one who's last leave danger. We play to his sense of being a hero by saving the women and dealing with the coward so he should be at least somewhat uplifted by the ideas there.
Charles can then check to make sure that everything is fine with both his healing and then a sweep with life sense.
Great suggestion, Charles! Gain Fortune!
It takes many hours, but thanks to your help he successfully removes all the eggs from the four patients.
By the time he's done, close to a day has passed.
I'll come with you, says Ammon, the captain of the guards from back when the town had guards - back when there was a town.
In the room to the right, You discover a room covered in old blood. The blood seems to be haphazard, as if individuals were killed in here at different times with no regard to form or function.
Around the edges of the room are several old beds, all each with blood stains in blankets which haven't quite faded away.
In the center of the room, there is a red hot lava rock, with some lava pooled in a crevice within the rock. In the pool, there are 24 eggs floating in the lava.
"I'm glad you made it alright, friend" This was said to Lemagrag as Drot put a huge hand on his shoulder. "Do me a favor and watch over the small ones alright, Lemmy? They need someone keeping an eye on them in case anything else like this happens. Do you understand?" Drot squeezes his friend's shoulder quite hard and not breaking eye contact, knowing that the man would understand his meaning.
To the group: "The question that has been burning in my mind is, where did the eggs come from. We've had people around the food nearly all the time. They had to have manifested from somewhere and then infested somehow..."
Drot ponders this as he gets ready to rest for awhile. He hasen't slept much, and since there's no way to tell the time of day he doesn't know how long he's been awake, just that he's tired.
Tesswyn shrugs. "Invisible demons? Or just really tiny ones? In the end, it doesn't matter how they got here. Charles should use his life sense every morning just in case to check for further infection. We can't afford to keep stopping to cure people every day, though. We have to keep moving before our food runs out."
Gronder grunts when he sees the eggs. He looks at Ammon. "Let's get to work, then." (Assume he can reach...) He swings his axe at the eggs, trying to smash them all, if he can.
Charles cleared his throat which had become dry and sore with his constant praying throughout the day. He sipped a little bit of his remaining water and was relieved that everyone had made it through the surgery and nothing else had come to endanger them during such a crucial time.
"Of course I can do so. I hadn't thought that such a spell could come in handy in this situation. This mine is very dangerous as it is. Let's get some rest now and we'll get a good start tomorrow. Hopefully Gronder and Captain Ammon return to us safely."
Gronder comes back to tell what has transpired during his exploration:
First, he reports the death of Captain Ammon. And he returns the Captain's sword. The capatin was found dead while exploring a room; his body was repeatedly cut with some out of claw that immediately cauterized the wounds. The body was facing a wall and the cuts were on his front torso, meaning something must have come out of the wall to attack him.
In that same room, he found a bunch of eggs floating in lava. He smashed the eggs, which had the same kind of larva you witnessed eat their way out of Kenneth. His axe was destroyed in the process. It was while he was destroying these eggs that Captain Ammon had died.
He has also discovered a golden door of dwarven make, near a mine shaft that heads downwards.
Tesswyn is nonplussed to hear of Ammon's death. She's just glad Gronder survived. "We should see what lies beyond that door. And stay away from the walls."
Charles frowned. "When even the most experienced of us in terms of combat are being killed, I worry what else we may run into. But this door sounds intriguing."
As you move towards the door, you pass the mine shaft that heads down into the earth.
The door is as he said - a solid door covered in gold with inteicate designs on it. It looks very well made and is clearly of dwarven make. Trying to open it, it is very heavy and difficult to move.
Gronder grabs part of the door. He leans in, and encourages the others. "If we work together, I think we can get it open."
Daphiel accepts Captain Ammon's rapier and assumes the title if Guard for herself, as the last surviving member of the Guard. She recruits Galino, Bethany, Lemograg, and Philip. Tate, the young lad of 12, also wanted to join the guard, but none will have it.
She enlists David as a lookout, and sets the three siblings in charge of food and water distribution. Please ensure no one takes what isn't theirs, and that everyone gets their proper portions. Double check to make sure no one is falling behind or getting sick. And if anyone complains of excessive hunger, get Mr. Charles right away.
Hettie also volunteers to help with the food and any medical aid that is necessary. Paul and Arlene take care of Erika, Jaxson, and Valentine.
Quinnet seems to have nothing to do with anything, and is constantly ordering people about to tend to her own needs, even if it's counter to the well-being of the group.
---------
Gronder shoved hard on the door while Drot and Tesswyn assisted. The door slowly moved inwards.
It opened into a large room that looks like the was one part forge and one part gilding equipment. There are racks of weapons and armor, many of them still functional. In the back corner is a pool of active lava that supplied the heat to forge as well as melt gold. Throughout the room are golden statues, almost lifelike is their craftsmanship. Humans. Elves. Dwarves. Halflings. Even an elf.
In a somewhat hidden compartment (simply around a curve in the wall that is well camouflaged with the wall) is a bed with a dwarven skeleton in it. Next to the bed is a nightstand with a journal on it, and a large lockbox, which is locked.
"S~$$e... I do not think these are just statues." His expression of disgust is further compounded at the discovery of the skeleton. He will look for a suitable weapon to replace his axe and then take a look at the journal.
"Creepy," Tesswyn says with a shudder. She searches the lockbox for traps before trying to pop it open with her tools.
Charles was pleased at the level of organization that had reached the survivors. He was sad that many of their already small band had died reaching this point but realized that was just how things often had to work... and then he noticed how Quinnet was acting and he bristled.
No. Not here, not now!
Charles did not immediately follow the others into the room. Instead he approached Quinnet to pull her aside.
"Quinnet, what do you think you are doing?! Do you not see the situation we are all in here? Your selfishness is not helping anyone."
The journal is an expose on his journey to madness, as he comes to the "realization" that it's easier and more realistic to simply cover live people with gold than it is to carve a statue.
A dwarven Battle-axe and a dwarven sword lay at the bottom. Both are finely crafted with a rush design in the handles and pommels. The blades are etched and inlaid with gold. The metal has a soft ue sheen to them and they're cold to the touch.
A book on magical puzzles designed in sharpen ones intellect.
A set of mail armor that is extraordinarily light weight.
"What matter of magic could have done such a thing to these people!?"
Drot isn't so much appalled as he is fascinated with the potential of very powerful alchemy or transmutation magic bring used to, at the very least, cover people in gold. Perhaps even turning them into solid gold.
After reading the journal he scoffs and shrugs, looks confused and then impressed; all within a matter of a few seconds.
"Unfortunate that these people were truly covered in molten metal. I must say, the skill and technique it would have taken to do that without melting the person into a deformed shape before the gold cooled is quite impressive in itself".
Drot takes a look at the forge to see if he can figure out how it might work and if there is anything useful they could use it for in the near future.
While looking over the loot with the group Drot points out a brigandine among the contents.
"I could make real use of that if anyone wouldn't mind. Grondor you need that axe more then anyone I know, I can't wait to see you use it! I'm curious of what it will do, that must be an enchantment on it; the sword too! Is that something you can put to good use Tesswyn? Charles?..."
As he speaks his eye gleam the book and he suddenly becomes solely focused on it. Reaching over and around for it he picks it up and feels the bindings before opening it up and pouring over it.
"Well what could this be, very interesting. I've never seen something quite like this before. Look here these are runes... but, you couldn't arrange them that way. Unless you..."
Drot takes a couple of bounds toward the bed and plops down on the end beside the long deceased dwarf, not paying any mind to its presence or to anything else for that matter.
Tesswyn eyes the sword. "Nah, too fancy. I'll stick with my shillelagh. The armor, on the other hand..."
Gronder frowns upon reading the journal. "Bastard's no kin of mine, and any dwarf I know would say the same, I'd bet."
He picks up the axe, moving it about slowly to get a feel for the balance. "This is fine craftsmanship, indeed, and I'd be glad to use it. My other axe just melted when I destroyed the eggs, but I'm sure my grandpa would understand."
He smiles over at Tesswyn. "Looks like a fine suit of armor, too. Should help keep you on your feet, Tess."
Tesswyn takes several minutes strapping on the mail, impressed by its light weight and tight fit. And the sabatons provide a welcome relief for her bare feet. She raps a knuckle against the metal breastplate. "Nice."
She walks over to Drot and pokes the orc. "Hey, save storytime for when we get out of here. Let's keep looking for a way out."
As Drot and David explore the forge, a trap is triggered! Looking at it later, you'd discover that it wasn't an intentional trap, but one of decay over time.
Molten gold pours forth from a reservoir, nearly covering Drot if he hadn't jumped out of the way at the last second. Still, some of the hot liquid gold splashed onto him.
David, however, is unable to jump out of the way and takes the full brunt of the gold. It instantly burns flesh and hardens as it cools, leaving behind the tortured figure of David as he lay dead on the floor.
-------------
Examining the rest of the forge, your able to tell that despite some minor damage and the hole in the gold reservoir, it's still functional. If, at a later time, you were able to come back here and do the repairs, it would make for a valuable location. With clear tunnels and a path to the surface, it could even make for a good base of operations.
Gronder looks down at David's body, frowning. "We should keep everyone out of here for now, until the forge can be fixed. Let's see to his remains when we leave. Maybe it's best if we find some lava and... put him in there? Better than the people who knew him seeing him like this." He looks down at the sword. "If no one wants or needs this, I'll carry it for now. I can show you how to use it, too, if you're interested."
"Damn it, David!" Tesswyn groans as the unfortunate shopkeeper meets a grisly end. She shakes her head and turns to her friend "Drot, are you okay?"
Once she's sure the orc is not hurt, she points towards the exit. "We need to keep moving, before there's nobody left for us to save."
After collecting your items and other equipment, you move on. The only place remaining to go is down a mine shaft. The walls are rough and make for good handholds. It's an unknown distance down, as it's pitch black down there and you can't see the bottom.
Climbing down will require a Strength or Agility Challenge Roll.
Tesswyn carefully makes her way down the shaft.
Tesswyn makes it look easy to climb down, even as others look on with baited breath as she climbs.
That's nice a voice says, But how are we going to get the kids down?
"GRRRRAAA!" Drot growls in pain as the lava scorches his skin. He shakes his arm loose of the molten metal as the man he was inspecting the forge with screamed in agony, then silence.
"This crucible was made very well; the hole indicates that this has truly been here for a very long time. How long exactly I can't say... Poor man, covered in molten gold may be one of the worst ways to die... Without the use of magic anyway."
Drot turns to Tesswyn and Grondor shaking his head, frowning.
"Yes, when we come back this way. I am fine, though, thank you. I'll need to treat these burns better when we're back somewhere with supplies. As it is, if Charles doesn't use the sword, I will. I'd like to give it a go I can tell that there is magic in it and that axe. I just don't know exactly what enchantment has been made."
Drot follows the party quietly, his mind flooded with the implications of this mine. There are many dangers in normal mines, let alone on so close to an active magma flow. This is probably the most danger anyone here has been in and we have to keep moving down, closer to the heat.
"Tell me something Quinnet, do you believe in religion?"
And while I shouldn't have to explain, I will. Surprisingly, her voice softens, I must upkeep proper appearance and countenance. Doing so let's everyone know my station - a very important quality to maintain if we are ever to meet someone else down here, or even upon our release to the outside. Noble and commoner alike shall not think of us as mere vagabonds; they will see me and know who I am. They will treat us accordingly and properly. Instead of being arrested or slain on the spot, we shall be given beds and baths and food and transportation to wherever it is we shall want to go.
It is for the benefit of all, even you, that I take the trouble to do this.
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But as she continued his anger was smothered by her voicing her considerations for the others. But still his anger smoldered underneath.
"A nobles sentiment, I suppose. I know that all too well." he chuckled but there was little mirth behind it. "But the sincerity of your words is cut short by your veiled threats and bribes. Greed and selfishness to the point of negatively affecting others is a detriment to your soul, Quinnet. You walk a parallel line to what the Demon Lord wants."
Charles paused for a moment. "I don't say this lightly, but he and his agents are active in the world. Don't stray too far."
It was at that point that he heard the screams of pain as David and Drot'ook were hit by molten gold.
"... This conversation will have to wait!" he said before turning to rush off.
He came running as fast as he could "What happened?!" he looked down as he saw David dead by the gold and Drot in obvious pain.
He uttered a prayer for the unfortunate man. Then came over to see Drot'ook's burns. "That looks painful. Drot, let me help."
When he's prompted to take the icy sword, Charles hesitates for a moment as he looks down at the blade he'd so far only been using in practice bouts but then decides that he had probably better.
"Thank you Drot. I don't know if you need a blade of your own but you can take this one in exchange. If not perhaps we can get one of the others to use it." he then offered the more mundane blade to Drot.
Charles frowned in thought and looked down the mine shaft. "Tesswyn, how far down is it to the bottom? Also, did anyone bring rope?"
"I'll tell you when I get to the bottom!" Tesswyn shouts. Having tied the rope off up top, she lowers it down with her as far as it will go.
Tesswyn, as you've already climbed down, you wouldn't be able to attach the rope up top. However, I'll allow it if you spend your Fortune.
Tesswyn ties off the rope to the top, granting everyone a boon to climb down. The total length of th shaft is approximately 80 yards. (I don't remember how long the rope was, but we'll handwave it for now; still grants a boon either way).
There is a slight red glow coming from around d the corner.
Tesswyn quietly casts oak hide on herself and then sneaks forward to peek around the corner.
Gronder secures his axe in its loop, slings his shield, and climbs down the rope to join the others. On reaching the bottom, he holds his shield again, and draws the axe, but remains where he is for now, so as to let Tesswyn do her sneaky thing.
Gronder, Tesswyn, and Drot are all at the bottom. Charles and everyone else are still at the top.
Daphiel looks at Charles and says, What are the rest of us going to do? Should we wait up here or try and climb down. Not everyone can get down on their own, how will we get the kids and elderly down?
Everyone looks at Charles expectantly, even Quinnet.
Charles frowned in thought for a few moments but then nodded. "The rope is long enough, it'll take a while longer but if we pull the rope back up here and tie the loose end on to one person at a time and then slowly lower them down while they climb, it shouldn't put too much strain on everyone and let most of us get down safely. The children should go first as they'll be the lightest. We'll want to make sure anyone who goes down is wearing something that can remove the strain of the rope rubbing against the skin, extra clothing should work.
I'll stay up here and make sure to help lower everyone down."
Charles sets up a rappelling system to bring everyone down. It's slow and meticulous, but everyone gets down safely.
Meanwhile....
The four of them are surrounding a glowing red pool in the center of the room. You can see something floating in the pool, but can't quit tell what it is from this angle.
The chanting is quite loud in the room due to strange accoustics, enough to overpower any noise coming from behind you. But you can tell that if people get too loud, these creatures will hear it.
Deciding that the rope could quite possibly be needed later, Charles unhooked his apparatus and began his own decent down without the rope.
On his way down he lost his footing at one point and just barely managed to hang on by his hands alone. He desperately clung to the side for several seconds as his arms burned from having to hold and lower down the rest of their group before finding a different hold for his other foot. Once he felt confident he continued on down and somehow managed to make it the rest of the way.
Tesswyn creeps back to her companions. "Four demon-men ahead, chanting around something in a pool. Whatever they are doing can't be good. We should take them out before the others climb down."
She casts shillelagh and prepares for a fight.