Nikolai and Valda quietly confer with each other, their expressions grim yet resolved. Nikolai has read about a purification ritual that can put to rest non-hostile undead, like Marilu, but he will need Valda's divine power to carry the ritual through. Nikolai promises that it will be neither painful nor frightening for the undead girl, and he frames it to her by saying, "Hey, Marilu, why don't we take a break and play a little game?"
Nikolai and Valda stay behind in the small crypt to resolve the situation, saying they'll return to the surface to keep watch with Silverwing and protect Doctor Evets.
As Valeska, Kain, and Bashuk step back out into the stabilized hallway intersection, they are startled by the sound of falling rocks and buckling, ancient supports. They reflexively recoil but find that the walls around them still hold firm. Taking a moment to appraise the situation, you realize that the sound came from further down this level of the catacombs.
You arrived at Clover's Crossing less than two hours ago and found the town just as the refugees described it: empty and possessed by an uncanny, unsettling atmosphere. Cutting through the lingering fog that haunted the streets, you explored the ghost town and heard neither bird nor beast in the vicinity. You briefly heard the sounds of battle, but the din died away before you could find the source.
You found a staircase leading down in an old, stone outbuilding near the churchyard, which itself looked like it had been torn asunder by a drunken plowsman. The decrepit stairs descended down into an ancient catacomb that likely predates most of the buildings above.
In a brief, terrifying moment, you are almost deafened by the roar of crashing stone behind you as you just manage to escape the staircase's collapse. Your way out is now gone, and there is nowhere to go but deeper into these catacombs.
"Everyone okay?" Leta says, examining the immediate area with her darkvision as she dusts herself off from the debris of the collapse.
Miruna sits on the ground, covered in dust, stunned into immobility. After a few seconds, she realizes she can move, and blinks once, then twice, before wondering if she's gone blind. Sudden panic threatens to overwhelm her when Leta's voice cuts through the darkness and her shock. You're not blind, idiot, it's just dark!
"It's just dark!" she says, as if that was an answer. Miruna climbs to her feet and draws her scimitar, which immediately bathes the room in a soft golden light. Holding the weapon up as if it was a torch, she turns to take stock of their current predicament. Another thought strikes home as her mind finally gets back into working order.
"Nadiya? Are you still with us?" Maybe she's still upstairs?
When the crash rumbles ahead of them Bashuk douses her flames, worried about making herself a target to ambushers lurking in the darkness. Eyes and ears straining, instead of ravening ghouls she hears shouts of confusion and alarm.
"Countess, we're not alone down here. Might be some of our missing townsfolk--should we investigate?" She looks over her shoulder in the direction Valda and Nicolai have gone. "The noise will likely draw attention, we should hurry. We're at half strength now."
Valeska listens to Bashuk, responding... People might have gotten in over their heads, we should see if there are people there and if they need assistance.
Of course, it may be the enemy, so we should be ready.
"I am here." Nadiya stands up from behind some rubble, brushing off dust and debris from her shawl. "Not much the worse for wear."
Meanwhile her fluffy gray cat Mishka, who had leapt from her hip-basket during the cave-in, sits in the warm, low light licking its paw, indicating that it was clearly not bothered, not at all, by what just happened (even Nadiya's empathic link tells her otherwise).
Nadiya waves her hand and mutters a phrase in old Varisian, and four softly glowing, greenish orbs appear, adding to the light in the room. "There, in case you need your hand free, Miruna." Two orbs move ahead to light the passage ahead while the others hover closer.
She puts her hands on her hips, surveying the area. "I admit, I am willing to do heavy labor, but I am not very strong, and I fear we've not the time nor equipment to handle this collapse. But the air is breathable so that bodes well there may be other openings somewhere else. If you are both in good shape, shall we go?"
"Ready," Leta says, stepping behind Miruna and preparing her bow in case of danger.
Holding up her sunrod, Valeska sallies forth... Let's go... Desna keep us.
Miruna audibly sighs in relief once it becomes clear that both Nadiya and her lovely little cat are unharmed. Holding her glowing blade low and at the ready, she turns to what is now the only way out and whispers a quick prayer to Sarenrae for guidance.
"Stick close," she says over her shoulder, and then heads down the tunnel, the darkness scattering before her.
The soft sound of footsteps creeps along the dusty stones. When you pause, however, you can still hear footsteps - inching from further down the dark passages. They are not your own footsteps. You are not alone down here.
At the sound of footsteps, Nadiya slows her pace. She nudges the dancing light furthest from them a little forward to the nearest corridor intersection ahead of them.
Did you hear that? Maybe an echo... On your guard. Valeska continues to lead the way, sunrod in one hand... starknife in the other.
Kain nods to Nikolai and Valda. Perhaps it was best for those with more knowledge of the undead to deal with the situation.
As they proceed, the noise attracts his attention, at Bashuk's and Valeska's comments he nods.
I'll lead the way, We can't be sure they are not like Marilu, or similar in their predicament.
He will lead the way towards the noise.
"Someone else is in here with us," Miruna whispers, gesturing for the others to stop. She sheathes her scimitar, extinguishing its light, and waits to see who or what is illuminated by Nadiya's spell.
Leta nods to Miruna, training her bow on the area just beyond Nadiya's dancing lights. She will not fire, until and unless there is evidence of hostility.
Slowly...cautiously...you approach the corner of the next junction. The sound of your own breath is magnified in your ears. Or is that something else breathing just around the bend?
Finally...as each moment stretches into an eternity...you brave the breach and round the corner to find...
.
.
.
People! Living, breathing people!
Three and three adventurers meet, alike in their courage and skill, alike in their surprise and shock.
Mishka sniffs the air, and carefully pads forward, still keeping a safe difference from the other group. "Mrrroaaaow?" It asks the new arrivals.
Is that the same cat? Might have to kill it again... Valeska raised her starknife, ready to throw.
Leta shifts her aim slightly, prepared to defend Mishka if Valeska attempts to act on her threat.
In Varisian to Valeska:"Now, my friend. I don't think poor Mishka has done you any harm, nor have any of us. We've just arrived."
An exasperated voice pierces the dim light. "For pity's sake, let us not kill strangers for the crime of passing one another in the dark."
Nadiya speaks up, loud, as she steps forward, hands raised to show she means no harm. Her familiar bounds toward her and hops into her basket. Despite the risk, she arranges her lights so she can be clearly seen from ahead, although does not illuminate Leta if she can avoid it, just to give them some advantage if they need one. The others approaching should be able to see a woman of fairly average build with dark hair wearing a crimson scarf and large knitted shawl, carrying a haversack over one shoulder and a haverster's-now-cat basket on the opposite hip. There's a crossbow attached to the haversack but she is very clearly holding no weapons.
"I am Nadiya, called the 'Old Lady' by some, and I and my companions arrived in Clover's Crossing earlier today, where we had been trying to help refugees from a ghoul attack. We had entered an old mausoleum to look for any wounded--or for any ghouls remaining. Unfortunately the stairs down collapsed and we are trapped here. Now, who are you, and do you also intend to trap us in here, or are you here to help?"
The small space is suddenly illuminated clearly by the flames wreathing the hands of a wiry half-orc woman with golden eyes.
"There. Now we can all get a good look at one another. Hello, Old Lady Nadiya, I am Bashuk of the Burning Suns tribe. I'm here as an emissary to the Countess Talanova, who doesn't actually want to kill your cat--we fought a ghoul-cat and its masters not an hour ago. Some of this town has been eaten by sinkholes, and some of the townsfolk by ghouls. We are here to investigate and settle the matter, if possible. Does that satisfy your questions?" She pauses, then adds in a contrite tone, "I am glad to hear that refugees escaped to safety though. I had feared the worst."
Miruna's grip on the hilt of her scimitar tightens considerably in response to Bashuk's conjured flames, but she relaxes again once the half-orc's peaceful intentions are clear. Without releasing her hand from her weapon's hilt, she offers a chagrined smile.
"It's always good to meet new faces on the road, especially ones who aren't out to rob you, especially when that road is a tunnel underground a town ravaged by undead. And to meet someone so famous, to boot!" Practically grinning now, she offers a slight bow without ever taking her eyes off of their new acquaintances, though she does release the hold on her weapon. "I am Miruna, daughter of Eshka, of the Blackthorn tribe."
As Miruna straightens up, she pulls her dark red cloak forward to cover her sword with one hand and strikes a jaunty pose, placing the other hand on her hip, elbow out. Despite her seemingly carefree attitude, Miruna's appearance is one of almost overwhelming practicality: worn but sturdy traveling leathers, short cut hair, and a lack of almost any jewelry, save a silver symbol of Sarenrae hung from her neck as an amulet.
Leta eases off her bowstring and lowers her aim.
"I am known as Leta, the Tree-Singer."
From behind Bashuk and Kain, Well met Nadiya, Miruna and Leta... I am Valeska and this is Kain. Bashuk's name you've already heard.
Excuse my... vigilance, it has been no easy day. Two of our number were separated from us as they dealt with an unsettling spirit taking the mock form of a child.
I have confidence in their abilities to deal with the spirit and survive the cave in.
She pauses.
Are any of you hurt?
Miruna shakes her head.
"Our egos may be bruised, but physically we are unharmed." She quickly looks over her new acquaintances with an appraising eye. "What of yourselves? Are you injured? Nadiya and I may be able to help you."
Nadiya's face folds in sadness as she hears of the child-shaped monster. "I pray they can put it to rest. As for us, we made it safely down before the collapse so we evaded the worst of it."
She turns back to Bashuk. "You said you were emissaries of the countess, and..." she looks at Valeska. "Is she not named Valeska?"
"She is," Bashuk says simply, the flames in her hands creeping up her arms like coiling serpents.
Bashuk stated that she was an emissary. And yes, I am Countess Valeska Talanova of Canterwall.
Valeska steps into the light, the grime apparent on her armor and handsome face.
"Surprised to find a ruler slumming it in catacombs," Leta quips.
"Too often rulers hide behind oppressive laws made without a thought.
You lead from the front. I have much respect for such an attitude."
The Countess bows.
"Surprise and Delight," will be the rally cry for Canterwall, no doubt. Valeska chuckles with genuine mirth, an interesting juxtaposition to her weary visage.
My apologies, this... she indicated the whole situation with sweeping arms ...is no laughing matter.
Collecting herself, You three must be rather capable having traveled all this way and survived some of... this.
It looks like a sink-hole opened up, Canterwall's very own local undead World Wound. The church collapsed into it, the town overrun with ghouls and the like. There was a ghoulish huntsman with a feline companion.
On the way to Clover's Crossing, we passed an old farmhouse that was also infested with ghouls, it appears they burrowed there. I fear a literal underground network is being built. Canterwall is being invaded.
I am not prone to being alarmist, but this could be... war.
It's the stuff of nightmare.
"It's hard to feel capable when you've just fallen down the stairs into ghoul-infested tunnels, but you are not incorrect."
Valeska's invocation of the Worldwound causes Miruna's smile to falter and then fade into a grim line. She says nothing until the Countess is finished, then nods.
"Only one solution to an infestation of this scale: burn it out. I can only speak for myself, but I'd be glad to lend you my aid if that's your goal as well."
[smaller]"Burn them out, heh." Bashuk smirks, but it doesn't last. "We don't know that it's that bad yet, Countess, but we're losing time. If these three'll join up with us I like all our chances a whole lot better though."
"I think Canterwall has a good chance if its leader is willing to be so hands on." She smiles. "I am gifted in magical healing. The same gifts tend to be unhealthy for the undead, so I can both keep most of you in good shape and harm the ghouls. My concern is there is an underground invasion of such scale, that suggests long term planning. I have trouble imagining the hungry dead would organize it on their own. Have you any idea who or what might be behind this? Or shall we figure it out on our way out?"
Look on the bright side, Miruna... No ghoul fever, yet.
Nadiya, your talents are and will always be in demand, I'm certain. Moreso, here and now until we reunite with our companion Valda.
What of you, Leta? How open is your... social calendar?
She looks around, Let's finish clearing this place and discuss plans on the surface. Where haven't we been?
What of you, Leta? How open is your... social calendar?
"I go with Nadiya, and thus with you, Your Excellency."
Miruna gives a quick nod to Leta and Nadiya, then turns back to the Countess.
"Let's get to it, then."
As far as organizing, you would be surprised. Undead are... Difficult. It's hard to know which ones are driven by a base instinct, and which are more intelligent. Ghouls, it seems, are of the latter. So it is possible they are their own masters... But I doubt it. There is something in these woods. Though, as far as what, I do not believe we can say. Though, that matters little. Our goal is to end it, all the same. Kain says, resting the butt of his spear on the ground.
And Valeska's inquiry, kain says. I think we haven't checked down that path. Before leading the way.
Leta nods slightly as Arden speaks of intelligent undead. How well she knew, she chuckled to herself. As they walk, she keeps her eyes open and an arrow nocked for quick use, should it be needed.
After the shock of meeting your new adventuring companions, you don't find any new surprises lurking around the next corner. Near at hand, you find another crypt full of the long dead who thankfully remain at rest. Dusty bones sleep soundly in their niches, urns, and sarcophagi.
You pick your way down the next hallway and find that an unfinished side passage branches off from the main hall. The modern residents of Clover's Crossing were likely attempting to use what space remained to dig out a new arm of this level to inter their dead, but they did not get very far before the town met its doom.
However, at least one being - and one of significance, at that - was interred in this abbreviated arm of the catacombs. A sarcophagus, freshly carved from still-white stone, dominates the space. Beyond this stone vessel, the most noticeable feature here is the blackened body curled up at the foot of the sarcophagus.
The sarcophagus lid is very sparse with its engravings, although it does bear a message etched in an uncommon language.
"Looks like someone important," Bashuk observes, peering down at the sarcophagus curiously. "Huh. Looks Desnan--but whoever it was they were burned by positive energy. Wish they'd gotten to the rest of the undead." Shrugging, the half-orc steps wawy, posting herself at the hall to keep a lookout once she checks the engraving and doesn't recognize the language. "Can anyone make out what that says?" she asks over her shoulder.
Thanks to her keen observation, Bashuk further notices that, based upon how the dispatched ghoul was burned, it seems that the positive energy was directed outward from the sarcophagus as the ghoul attempted to grasp at the lid.
To Kain, Nadiya nods and says, "I'm not shocked that ghouls might think for themselves. My guess... and all I am doing is guessing, to be clear, as I am not an expert on undead outside of having to fight them from time to time... is more that I am surprised they would be organized in such large numbers. I think of such creatures as hunters. Hunting alone and in packs. Not soldiers digging invasion tunnels. Have you seen such a thing before?"
----
"Agreed. On the words, sadly I did not prepare my translation spell. Miruna, do you know what it says?"
Meanwhile, Nadiya cast an analytic eye over the remains. "I wonder if it was harmed recently, or some previous incursion..."
Valeska steps closer, looking at the scene.
If it harmed the ghoul, then it is a thing of holiness.
She steps closer still, starting to reach out.
Spellcraft:
The best estimate that Nadiya can provide is that this ghoul was put down by positive energy within the past month. The damage done to it makes it impossible to gauge how long the ghoul had been undead, however.
Valeska is able to translate enough of the inscription to discover that a priest of Desna named Melsha is interred in this sarcophagus. This suggests that this was the predecessor of the more famed priestess that Doctor Evets spoke about, who was serving as spiritual leader for the town when doom fell upon it. The inscription also seems to call for an application of divine magic.
Valeska is seemingly relieved, but stops short of touching anything.
Seems a previous priest of the temple rests here. I do not believe we are in danger from it.
But... there is mention of divine magic, perhaps to demonstrate our allegiance. Interesting.
Leta shifts nervously from foot to foot. All this talk of divine magic flying around is making her a little jumpy. But as usual in such situations, she says nothing.
"Hmm. Let's see if there is magic here..." Nadiya casts detect magic and scans the area, focusing particularly on the coffin. She'll focus as long as she needs to to identify distinct auras.
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"If I were to guess," Miruna offers, "someone may have been unable to resist the chance to twice-blaspheme against one of Desna's priests, but the people who buried him expected such a thing. The sarcophagus may have been warded with a spell or some such in order to destroy his body before it could get into much trouble."
"Or Desna took notice of the insult and intervened directly," she adds with a shrug. "She's been known to do that, when someone mistakes her for a pacifist and torments her clergy."
"My kind of woman," Bashuk murmurs, then flushes when she realizes she spoke aloud. "Er, haha...begging your pardon, Goddess."