"The gods are gracious indeed, and I think we would do well to beseech their aid in this or any future endeavor. I may seek out one of the pantheon on our return topside. I've never given consideration, but it is beyond my ability to ignore after what I have seen here." He shudders a little, having been a man of solid facts (even magic has rules).
The gods hmm? They never truly seem to eager to actually lend help. Though, what do I know eh? What is the plan for now though?
"They help where they can Darrien, I assure you. Greater battles are fought than we can perceive, and much of their effort is spent there. Be glad you do not keen our Lady's help more directly, for when you do you may know that the forces arrayed against us are mighty indeed."
"As for our next steps. I see four options.
Sayid looks over the dwarf, a look of disgust crossing his face. It is not clear however if it is disgust at the sight of a mortal fallen to the influence of infernals or at the idea of ending the life of someone that cannot defend themselves.
"I will not judge this man unilaterally. It must be something we decide together. What say you all?"
Cantrips: all.
1st level: color spray, detect secret doors, grease, mage armor, magic missile, resist energy, silent image
2nd level: blur, create pit, fog cloud, invisibility, levitate, summon monster II
3rd level: dispel magic, summon monster III
hmmmm. Darrien rubs his chin for a few seconds.
We could always carry him with us until he wakes up. It may slow progress mildly, but I think it would be the better of the options, to everyone involved. I cannot think to pass a judgement on another, much less do so without hearing his story.
”I am not a field medic, having the ability to heal people magically always made it seem like time spent studying medicine would be better used studying the blade. Does anyone know if moving him in this condition would worsen his condition? Would we kill him while trying to give him a chance to be spared?”
"Moving him could worsen his condition, and leaving him like this could allow predators to kill and eat him."
Finja returns from the passage onwards:"I say we owe him nothing - he attacked us. We take him with us regardless of bed rest probably being better, we wait until he awakes, THEN we judge him guilty and pronounce his sentence. My gut feeling tells me this one is evil and corrupted. But I concur that we should not be hasty in judgment - it should be done right."
:: The Mad Dwarf - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
Jiao Feng is able to answer Sayid's question, knowing the dwarf is given first aid care, he will be in no danger of dying while carrying him. She is able to do so with ease and soon after Darrien grabs the dwarf, being ready to move. Scouting ahead, Jiao Feng and Finja discover that the east passage leads to a steeply inclined tunnel that leads upward to the north, its walls lined with numerous nooks, handholds, and dozens of iron pitons that have been driven in the walls long ago.
In total, you climb 60 ft. up through this passage. It isn't easy, especially for Darrien that is carrying the unconscious dwarf and for Anevia and Aravashnial. Once the feat is done, you find yourselves travelling northwest. Once more scouting ahead, Jiao Feng gestures you to stop once she reaches a section of the tunnel where a couple bones lie scattered. Even from afar, you notice that these bones belong to probably different creatures, from snakes to humanoids. Looking up, you also notice a crack in the ceiling directly above the bones, even if from afar there is no way to know if there is something hidden inside it...
"That seems ominous. Let's see if we can find out what if anything is in that crack."
Pulling his crossbow from his back, Sayid casts a light orison on the tip of a bolt and loads it into the weapon.
As the lighted crossbow bolt flies through the air Sayid watches its path, hoping to catch a glimpse of what might be on the otherside of the crack.
"That looks troublesome indeed. More ambush predators?", Finja suggests, taking a closer look herself as Sayid fires his light bolt.
"Edril, you called some light beetle into existance before. Do you have anything poisonous you could call in?"
Matheus looks upwards while giving a simple reminder. "One of the scales left by our draconic benefactor allows levitation I believe. One of us could actually scout it directly."
Levitate up to the crack? That sounds like a bad idea to me, sorry to say. Let's say there is some form of predator in this crack, possibly reaching down from there somehow, you're on their turf then, where they most likely have an advantage.
How about we try to build a shield wall with the tower shields? Or we could try to use the dwarf as bait, not a sacrifice mind you, just bait. Definately not a nice thing to do, but better him than one of us i would say.
Jiao Feng looks a bit troubled herself about her suggestion.
Aye, well, me and Finja could move closer, and see if we can spot anything hidden away there. We have to cross under it either way, and I can see in the darkness should the worst happen.
Darrien offers to get closer and check it.
:: The Underground of Kenabres - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
Sayid sends a shining bolt towards the crack in the ceiling, but so afar from it, the angle allowed gives him no sight of anything. Finja and Matheus come a bit closer but even so can't see a thing... It appears that the only place that will allow you to clearly see what, if anything, is inside the crack is directly beneath it, and then it might be already too late.
"I can summon a number of creatures, though what would be useful here is uncertain. You would like me to send a creature into the darkness? To scout?" Edril asks.
If you feel like it is worth the magic, it may be helpful to at least find out if anything dangerous awaits us. Darrien says to Edril
"No matter what it is, some of those skulls look quite humanoid. And with the other bones scattered, it's unlikely they approached without caution. Maybe we could swiftly move past if one of your summons can draw it's attention?"
"It will not last long, but I will gladly send it..." He begins the casting of summon monster.
Edril summons a viper, and sends it into the area that drew concern from the others.
Matheus continues to ponder the crack and then his companions. "I believe levitate will also work on items. Can we block the crack with one of the huge shields and travel underneath it to safety like a reverse bridge? Tie a rope to the handles to allow it to be retrieved after..."
Darrien waits and watches to see what becomes of the snake.
:: The Underground of Kenabres - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
Edril entones his magic and in a couple seconds a tiny viper. It has white skin with golden circles, showing evidently its celestial origins. Once fully materialized, the snake slithers forward as instructed and once it is directly beneath the crack in the stone, a thin filament strikes it!
From the crack, you can glimpse the shape of an insectile creature, even if not enough to clearly see it. The viper, stuck in the sticky filament is then pulled up 10 feet, being now dangling in the air.
__________________________________________
Sayid > Edril > Matheus > Darrien > Enemy > Anevia > Horgus > Aravashnial > Jiao Feng > Isa > Finja
Edril looks on. "It sprung the trap. We can either dart through, or fight, but the viper won't be here much longer." His actions for that moment expended, Edril readies to move.
Let us be on our way. Picking fights when there is no need to likely won't help us any way. Unless you guys fancy trying to eat that thing too. Darrien says looking to the group before starting across the small gap, tower shield up over his head still just in case. He would also allow one other person to "hide" under his shield if possible.
I would rather not eat that. Perhaps we should still try the shield trick as well, but hurry on.
Jiao Feng moves forward, trying to pass the hot spot, ready to avoid anything coming down from the ceiling.
Finja gets ready to move as well, her shield tilted upwards as far as possible.
Matheus looks behind him. "Come on Isa, we need to move with the group. he calls out to the girl waiting to dash across to safety with a hand extended to hold.
Waiting for others to make their way across, Sayid acts as a vanguard following in the back and watching the rear.
:: The Underground of Kenabres - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
Wasting no time, you all rush forward while the creature inside the crack pulls the summoned snake to it. Those of you who dare to look up while crossing see a man-sized crab-like monstrosity clinging tenaciously to the rough stone, its enormous pincers clicking in anticipation for the meal that will puff out of existence in a couple seconds.
Leaving the vermin behind, you continue your journey through the underground tunnels beneath Kenabres. You walk for around twenty minutes and then the tunnel opens into a large cavern. Cylindrical rock formations along the walls arch up to make a domelike chamber, but the walls and floor are riddled with cracks. At the center of the cave, a stone tower that may once have reached fifty-foot-high has collapsed onto its side.
You also notice two humanoid figures slowly and carefully digging through the tower's rubble. It appears they have not noticed you yet. Now and then they call out in some weird and unknown tongue, and a muffled voice in the rubble answers back.
Shortly after entering the large cavern and some shouts can be heard there Jiao Feng abruptly stopps, holding one hand up gesturing everyone else to do the same and with the other laying a finger on her mouth, signaling to be silently. She then whispers:
There's two humanoids over there scavenging the rubble and someone seems to be somewhere back there. Seems they haven't noticed us yet.
Finja whispers back:"More survivors, perhaps?"
The weird tongue they spoke made that sound unlikely, but Finja did her best to remain hopeful, regardless - eventually, they would meet someone or something not trying to kill them, she firmly believed.
Matheus wipes his hand over his brow to wash away the furrow of worry before softly adding with a small hope. "We have had little luck with talking so far, but we only need one helpful person to set us on the right path to escape.
did anyone reconigze the language? I fear that even in the dark, our group is not a particularly stealthy one... perhaps trying to talk would bode us well here, it has too at somepoint afterall. Darrien murmurs to the group
Seeing her companions hesitate, Finja steps forward into the open, taking a few steps towards the noise, trusting her shield to keep her safe.
On second thought, it would probably sound more convincing without the longsword in her locked gauntlet - but then, her body language and slightly wavering voice probably rather showed her to be afraid, not dangerous.
Uh good idea. Two guys digging around underground in the dark taking to something we can't see. Mh maybe they are dwarves, but they could be anything we don't want to meet.
:: The Underground of Kenabres - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
Once it reaches the radius of the lantern, you can discern some features: it is tall and thin and holds a longspear. Its face melds the features of an attractive elven man, a goat and a lizard. He also has oversized fingers that ends in dull, spadelike talons.
As Finja moves a bit forward and voices her question, the calls stop. After a couple seconds, a creatures walks forward in the radius of light, even if remaining outside the normal light. You can see only the silhouette of the creature, which is of a tall and thin humanoid carrying a longspear. The voice that speaks to you is raspy and strangely accented, but quite eloquent. "Greetings, strangers. I do not know you, but I can see you do not belong to the underground. You say you are not hostile and I wish to believe that, for we, also, are not hostile unless needed. I can't say if you tell the truth, or not, so I'll warn you... if your intentions are ill, we ask you to move on and leave us in peace. If they are good, then perhaps you can help. As you can see, misfortune has befallen us."
Gesturing for Anevia to guide him, Aravashnial reaches you. "This accent... I've heard it before. He speaks like the men in the First Crusade..."
Jiao Feng shifts her feat uncomfortably as the stranger approaches and speaks. She then whispers after listening to Aravashnial: He's humanoid, but he certainly doesn't look like a human. More like a mix of goat, lizard and elf, with huge hands which look like shovels. Wasn't the first crusade wiped out?
Then she greets the stranger.
Greetings, strange one! You're right, we are from the surface and just want to pass by in peace. Do you care telling us about your misfortune? And this place perhaps?
Darrien gives a wide smile at the stranger, trying to ignore his strange appearance.
hah! Greetings, I assure you, as long as you mean no ill will towards us or our compatriots, we will give none to you. How long have you been down here? Ah, and do you know him? He attacked us unprovoked.
He points to the unconcious dwarf they had drug along.
Matheus moves nearer the creatures with hands open showing no weapons nodding in agreement with his party members and bowing to the creatures. "I also greet you, I am Crichton. We are perhaps able to help and would appreciate some back. If we align on goals maybe a larger group is safer if we can reach understanding?"
:: The Underground of Kenabres - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
The creature shifts to a defensive position with his spear once Matheus approaches, but soon raises his spear eased by the halfling's words. "My name is Lann and I'd gladly share what I know with you in time, but now I have a far more urgent task, so the talking will take place later."
He moves closer to the light, revealing himself. The man's face melds the features of an attractive elven man, a goat and a lizard. He also has oversized fingers that ends in dull, spadelike talons. Despite this frightening appearance, he seems peaceful and very polite, but also worried. He gestures towards the rubble. "We had a watchtower here, but with the recent tremors, it has collapsed. Some among us perished, save for me and two friends, one of which is still trapped beneath the rubble! We have been digging around to free him, but there is a large block of rock that threatens to crush poor Crel alive. If you help us in saving his life, I'll be in your debt."
Meanwhile, Aravashnial whispers back to Jiao Feng. "I'm always reticent to imagine anything is completely gone, Jiao Feng... something always endure in some form or in other... for example, if mankind manages to close the Worldwound, do you believe all the abyssal evil will be completely gone with it? I do not, sadly... now, back to the topic, do you remember what I've told you about that old legend back in the cave with the statues of the First Crusade? By the description you've given me, they fit quiet nicely, no? Perhaps we'll learn more of it by the end of this journey..."
Jiao Feng answers the old elf.
Yes i remember what you told us there. This would indeed be interesting. I don't know where my feelings there are though. And no, i don't believe that closing the wound will take away all the evil, i already know that it festers in the hearts of men. But i also believe in redemption. I have to.
She then moves up behind Critchton.
Yes, if your friend is in danger, let us not waste any time and dig him out!
Matheus nods in agreement. "Please show us we have some items that could be used as tools to scrape away the debris or leverage out rocks." he says. "Does anyone have mining experience or the like he asks the group generally? A foreman would also assist a group effort."
"Where?", Finja asks, glad to have found someone that does not seem openly hostile. There was a chance it was a trap, of course, but their peril seemed real enough.
Unlocking her Gauntlet, she sheated her sword, then put her Tower Shield on her back and readied to follow the Person.
"I have much and varied knowledge, but nothing helpful here." Edril offers, then adds, "I am also not particularly strong for lifting, though I will gladly help if I can."
If someone is in trouble, then I certainly will help. We must help ourselves and each other after all!
Darrien will move towards the area he is directed to, though does not holster his shield just yet.
Matheus rolls up his sleeves and seeks to pitch in helping where smaller hands can be useful.
:: The Underground of Kenabres - Arodus ?? - unknown time ::
Lann bowls slightly in thanks. "I sincerely thank you... please, come with me." He asks before heading towards the ruined tower. As you follow him, the light reveals the rest of the collapsed building, showing that nothing of it remained intact. Another figure, standing by the rubble, is revealed: a hunchbacked woman, her face so warped by tumors that it is difficult to discern her eyes, mouth and nose. Her arms are furred, one with white fur and the other with a brown-reddish fur with stripes. "Dyra, these are friends... they are going to help us." Lann explains as you approach and the woman grunts something, but doesn't answer.
Once you are close to the rubble, you notice that the creatures have cleared away enough rubble away that only one large rock remains wedged in a place above a small hole. Lann points to the hole, explaining. "Our friend, Crel, is there... let me know when you are ready."
The rock is really big and you are sure that, if these creatures are as strong as ordinary humans, it would be impossible for them to lift it on their own. There is enough space for six of you to lift the rock. Perhaps it will also be possible dig Crel out, but this is a perilous task.
Jiao Feng does not hesitate to help move the heavy Boulder.
Edril elects to allow others to do the heavy lifting, along with the locals. He'd be likely more of a burden than aid.
Darrien works with the others to try and move the boulders. Trying to use his shield for leverage when he can.