Benedic purses his lips and chooses not to remark on the absence of Sampson. He nods to Junior. They look familiar, he thinks, but shakes his head as if it doesn't matter. "How do you do," he says hesitantly, and then corrects himself. "Well, you do not appear to be injured. That is good." He blinks several times in surprise. "Is... is that Brother Tristan behind you?" He steps forward and recognizes Massielo as well. "And... your friend from the temple, if I am not mistaken." He frowns as if this is troubling to him. "That is... fortunate..." he muses, looking up again at the wall behind him and the memory of the long fall.
Blinking a bit as three separate sources of light flash away the immediate darkness, the young looking Iomedaen Inquisitor warily raises his shield. Viewing his surroundings must be deep under the plaza. Lost catacombs most likely: Great! and his likewise dusty and bruised drop outs, Tristan begins approaching them.
Benedic? Massielo? Anyone injured? Selann? Junior? May Iomedae bless your blades.
The youth begins assisting any that may be trapped under the rubble.
This is egregious! Demon filth! Massielo? How th...are you here?
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Massielo takes a moment to check the surroundings. He instinctively pulls out his longspear, although he doesn't point it at anyone. When Benedic speaks, Massielo immediately turns to him and sighs. "Oh, it's you...", he says as if he couldn't help himself. Then, Tristan recognizes him and Massielo takes the opportunity to say "Oh hi, how are you?"
After a moment or two, the large man recognizes Tristan and says "Tristan, my old chap! How have you been?" Although his words conveyed happiness, Massielo is clearly shaken and disturbed. His greeting is somewhat diminished by the fact that Massielo is looking up, as he's wondering what happened. "Are we dreaming?", he says more sad than wondering.
"Massielo, yes," Benedic nods. "Blessings, brother. It seems your entire party has fallen more or less in one piece, thank the goddess," he adds.
After confirming their immediate safety, at least from demons, he begins digging in the pile of rubble and debris, looking for bodies that are either dead or too injured to speak.
Seeing and hearing the introductions eases Selann's concerns, a little. "Caliban? Scribe and mage I think? We're an interesting lot. But to the important stuff I guess. How do we get back to the plaza? I don't know what I could do to help, but that demon loose on the world is something that I can't accept. The fissure overhead seems to have closed, but maybe there's still a crack we could climb through? Let's look around!"
Selann moves away from the group, moving his dancing lights to over his head, then casts detect magic while he searches the area.
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Surprised by Benedic's lack of self-importance, Massielo says "Yes, good to see you."
Selann interrupts his thoughts suggesting a way back up, to which Massielo replies "I believe the great Terendelev allowed us safe landing here. I'm not sure how much she was responsible for closing the fissure, but I'm willing to bet she did it." After letting the message sink in, he continues "She saved us by locking us down here. Back up is not the way to go, I would say. Here, have a sip of water. We'll need our strength. I do not know where we are, but it's fair to say we're below the city. Let us focus on the path ahead of us, and maybe our destiny will unfold as we go." He speaks more to himself than to the others, but he believes that a busy mind is sturdy, so he sets out to explore the cave they're in.
Caliban stands, shaking the dust from his hair, Sorry, I do not know what happened there. Glancing around at the various light spells cast throughout the chamber, the elf seems to gather himself.
Selann, the Diviner? Blessings again upon you. Junior, Greta, you both okay? Tristan, Masselio, Benedic, greetings crusaders. We seem to be in somewhat of a situation here in this cavern. We should strive to return to the surface and see what aid we can render if any.
To introduce myself, I am a magus, proficient in spell and blade. I am here to serve the crusade. My name is Caliban Tre'Athkar, from Kyonin originally; and have been in the Worldwound for some time seeking to bring battle to the demons.
The elf adjusts his weapons and gear looking around for places to potentially exit the large cavern.
"Yeah, I'm okay," Greta calls out as she shakes the dust and bits of rock out of her hair, "just trying to shake the ringing out of my ears."
Carrying her huge hammer in her right hand, she tries to quickly brush some of the dirt off her with her left as she draws closer to the assembled group. "Hi, I'm Greta," she announces to the men she hasn't met yet with a wave. "Maybe we should look around this big cave some before we hurry off? It'd be a shame if Terendelev saved someone else from the fall and then they died down here because we didn't find them under a little debris... plus, we don't know how many demons got into the city or where they all were... there could be some trapped down here with us..."
With her hammer at the ready, the petite warrior begins examining the area around them while she waits for some kind of plan or consensus to emerge.
With the various avenues of magical light, the part of the cavern you find yourself in reveals itself. The ceiling and far walls of this vast boulder-strewn cavern recede into darkness, even as Selann’s magic reaches its limits and barely reveals stalagmites in the distance. On a significant portion of the cavern floor is a white paste-like substance.
The survivors complete an inventory of each other and Benedic prays to Iomedae to show him any present demons. None are revealed, to his relief, and he turns his focus on the other survivors and his surroundings.
On one side, the wall has collapsed in an enormous mound of rubble -- here and there the arms or legs of victims who didn’t survive the fall protrude.
One area of rubble in particular grabs Benedic’s attention. He notices the sculpted statue of Iomedae cracked and broken, but also recognizes Sampson’s form crushed under it. His long hair the tell-tale sign that it was once, indeed, the promising acolyte.
As the dust settles around you and the light reaches a few feet farther, you notice three humanoid figures on the ground covered in small rocks. They are moving, and you hear grunts and cries of pain.
In the back of the cavern, the opposite side of the wall of rubble, a larger, more disturbing shape looms. Nearly the size of a horse, what appears to be an immense black spider crouches silent and still on the ground.
Greta raises her hammer and starts moving slowly towards the spider. ”Can any of you tell if that thing is still alive?” she asks.
Tristan warily watches the giant figure, as he makes his way to the trio trapped under rubble.
Junior exclaimes, "Oh s+@%! Bat guano, that stuff will burn, careful." Junior moves towards the trio of squirming figures intent on digging them out, "Anyone happen to bring a shovel to Armasse?"
Benedic halts, stricken, and then digs at the statue to reveal the body of the blonde-haired acolyte. Checking quickly over his shoulder to be sure that there is no immediate danger, he lays him out and murmurs sad words of grief and the hope of redemption in the afterlife.
Then he notices the other figures moving in the rubble and turns to observe them. When he confirms they are not enemies, he rushes over to them. "Halloa! Are you all right?"
Hearing the 1/2 orc curse, causes the youth to grin.
Junior, is it? I am Tristan de Lion; Inquisitor of Iomedae.
Tristan nods toward Benedc.
That one is way more serious than I.
The Inquisitor continues his approach to the Trio, watching for threats inside his area of Light.
Intrigued as he is by the scales, they can wait. Spiders can be poisonous, and giant spiders would likely be dangerous! He readies his crossbow as he moves toward the thing. "Let the healers help the wounded. Warriors, ready weapons please! If that thing is alive we'll need all of your blades to finish it quickly!"
Greta grimaces slightly as everyone else moves away from the giant spider she is approaching.
Caliban surveys what is happening and how the trained are trying to deal with the wounded. Realizing Greta is advancing alone he draws his long sword with the whisper of steel on leather, and advances next to her. Greta, on your left. Time to show them what you can do my friend.
Tristan glances at the three courageous souls approaching the spider. The Inquisitor attempts to recall what he may know about giant spiders to assist in their efforts.
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Massielo is baffled by the death around them and is slow to react. He regrets not studying animals more. He focused on playing with them instead of learning about them. He moves towards the apparently suffering people intending to help them.
However, he notes that others are moving towards a spider on the opposite wall. He exclaims "Don't go near that thing. It could poison you! It doesn't seem aggressive so far, so leave it be! Come help us search for survivors."
Selann holds his position, crossbow ready in case the huge spider moves.
"With my size, strength and lack of abilities in that arena, I'm better holding a watch on the spider."
"However, Caliban, If that thing isn't dangerous perhaps you could come over here? Cast Detect Magic and scan the floor here. I noticed what appear to be dragon scales with magical auras, possibly from Terendelev. While the healers and those with great strength rescue the others, perhaps we could work to identify whatever these are and if they could benefit any of us?"
He points to a couple of the palm sized silver scales but keeps his attention focused on the body of the spider.
Caliban pauses and stops his advance, Greta, perhaps we should restrain ourselves until this thing proves itself hostile? I am going to look at the scales Selann found, let me know if it takes any steps toward us.
Saying that Caliban invokes his Detect magic on the scales, looking for any enchantment they may bear. Caliban keeps his sword out and in hand, should the spider advance on them.
Apologies Masselio, my nerves are shot and wanting to take out my frustration on anything else. You are right though.
"Uh... do we want to give it the chance to get the drop on us?" Greta asks as she stops advancing. "It'll be awfully hard to fight it if we're trapped in it's web..."
While everyone else sets to work on other projects, she keeps her hammer raised and ready to strike.
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Massielo says "I prefer keeping an eye on it to make sure it won't sneak up on us. But until then, we should focus on one thing at a time. These hurt people seem a little more urgent right now." After a deep breath, he says "Don't worry. I have the feeling that you'll have plenty opportunity to prove your worth."
Greta slowly approaches the spider, but it does not move. As she watches the arachnid for movement, her companions focus, then refocus their attention from the spider, to the wounded, to magical auras.
While some focus on the spider, others move to assist the remaining survivors.
A young human woman, probably in her early twenties, struggles to get her leg out form under a piece of wall that fell on her. Her leg, bent at an irregular angle, has bone protruding from it and blood is splattered all around her. Other than grunts of pain, she does not complain of her discomfort, as she tries on her own to free herself.
A male elf sits propped against a wall. He is breathing heavy, and mumbles repeatedly, ”My eyes, my eyes. Why cant I see?” Looking closer, as you approach, you notice his eyes are gone. In fact, there is a great burn scar across his face where his eye sockets should be.
A human middle-aged man of average height is lying on the ground with some small rubble and dust covering him. He appears to have mostly artificial scratches and cuts along his face and arms, although he is probably groaning the loudest out of the three of them.
Greta raises an eyebrow and cranes her neck. ”I have good news and bad news...” she announces, ”this spider definitely seems dead, but it looks and sounds like there’s something inside it, trying to eat it’s way out...”
She cautiously moves toward the movement with her hammer raised, stopping ten feet away .
Benedic calls out to the other survivors in a confident, calm voice. "Do not fear, for you are among friends. I am Benedic, acolyte of Iomedae, and this is Tristan and Massielo. The others are also known to us." To the woman, he says: "Can you speak? Here, let me help you stand, that leg looks like it might have trouble bearing your weight." To the elf, he says: "It appears your eyes have been damaged, sir, but do not fret, we will help you walk. Once we return to the surface, we can see about restoring your sight." To the other man, he says: "Halloa? Sir, are you hurt? Can you speak?"
That is a giant black widow. Strong poison and webbing; watch yourselves.
The Inquisitor views the Trio. He seems a bit hesitant, as he studies their reactions.
"Greta, give a shout if it does crawl out. Uh... maybe don't touch it, or if you do touch it, touch it with your hammer first. You know what I mean?"
Junior goes to help Benedic with the three injured people and tries to comfort them, "We're going to get out of here folks." He turns to the rest of the party, "Hey Iomedaeans, are any of you healers? I can do my best but my best isn't the best."
Selann stares at the scales, absorbing the information from the auras displayed by the detect magic spell. He mutters quietly to himself, "Draconic magic! I wonder...."
He reaches toward one scale, but stops when he hears Greta. Realizing his distraction he turns again toward the apparently dead giant spider, aiming his crossbow at it, ready to fire.
Selann, I do not know what that enchantment is upon the scales, but it seems to emanate from Trelendev. Perhaps when he saved us? Let us not address that until we know we are safe and the injured are stabilized perhaps? The Elf grapples with his limited research and knowledge of magical things being beyond him. Tämä näyttää voimakkaalta taikuutta, jota en vielä ole perehtynyt. Sanotaan, että Lohikäärmeillä on taikuutta, jota emme voi kuvitella, ehkä tämä on esimerkki siitä ....
Looking to the Iomedaeans and Junior, Greta, Selann, and I will keep an eye on this spider thing if you want to assist the injured. We will alert you if we require more aid.
Caliban concentrates for a moment, and his sword begins to glow with a faint magical light.
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Upon understanding the problem of the three civilians they found, Massielo springs into action and helps the woman free, using his longspear as a lever. He examines all three people and tries as best he can to help them be in walking shape.
He also takes note Greta's comment on the spider. He says "We don't know if we want to hurt the thing in that spider. Who knows, it could just be a dragonling?" Only then it occurred to him that he might be playing the naive part, but he didn't mention it.
To Junior, Benedic calls out: "By Iomedae's light, we will see to their injuries. Do not trouble yourself needlessly."
He studies Massielo as he diagnoses the condition of the injured, and is left with the impression that the unusual acolyte believes he knows what he is doing. He grunts and focuses on keeping his patients' spirits up, and focusing them on answering questions to distract from the pain or worry. While he waits for their responses, he gestures and speaks a short prayer to Iomedae, and a soft golden glow around his hands indicates that he has cast a spell.
Creatures:
Benedic:
Caliban:
Junior:
Greta :
Massielo:
Selann:
Tristan:
As Greta approaches the spider’s corpse, the chewing sound gets louder. And then . . . it stops.
To Greta, the quiet feels like minutes as her eyes go wide staring at the arachnid’s body. Then the body explodes forth and pieces of spider corpse rain down on her. In its wake are four immense white-colored and slime-covered worm type creatures. They appear to be giant maggots. They undulate towards Greta, their circular maws covered in tiny, pointed teeth.
Caliban grunts under his breath, gestures with his free hand and fires a line of frost from his left hand at a giant maggot.
Tämä on verisesti inhottavaa
Seeing his ray of frost strike out at a maggot Caliban advances to support Greta, Again Greta, on your left. Those are bloody disgusting, be careful up there. Try not to advance too far, and wait for the others to catch up with us. His now glowing longsword gripped in both hands low in front of his body. Calistra be dammed, I wish I had a shield spell right now!
Seeing the creature burst open, Selann barely takes time to think about what is coming out of it. He pulls the release on his crossbow, firing a bolt at the first creature he can target.
He quickly reloads after the shot.
Hearing the commotion by the spider, the Inquisitor turns his attention from the Trio Come back to you three... to the sloshing and sliming of the Worms!
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Massielo is tending the three hurt people when he hears the burst behind him. As the stress of combat builds in, Massielo can't understand what Caliban says.
This happened before and he couldn't explain it. He once saw a fight happening in the street and as he got in to separate the two, he couldn't understand a word they were saying. In the end, no one understood what he was saying either and the fight ended with all in the street, including the two fighting men, to stare at him confused.
Now it will be very bad if it happens again it seems that it is. He turns to the three people and says something, but it comes out in another language. He says "אני אחזור אליך בקרוב".
I'll come back to you shortly
He picks up the longspear at his side and says something in another language "ברך את אלה שנלחמים לצידי".
Bless those who fight by my side
Then, as everyone feels their hearts fill with confidence and resolve, Massielo adds "זו בדיוק הסיבה שאמרתי להתרחק מהעכביש. עכשיו עלינו להילחם ולדאוג לאנשים האלה."
This is exactly why I said to stay away from the spider. Now we have to fight and take care of these people.
Benedic looks up quickly as the maggot attacks, but he doesn't abandon the injured as they seem to be in shock. As Massielo turns to leave and speaks in a different language, his brow furrows in slight annoyance. He speaks to them calmly in the common tongue.
As the worms spew out of the spider corpse, Greta brings down her waiting hammer at the nearest one.
Unfortunately, she’s distracted by the spray of putrid spider bits and her swing is wild. Frowning, she takes a step back and prepares to swing again. As she does she calls out, ” אל תדאג שנטפל בתולעים תוך זמן קצר “
Seeing the creature burst open, Selann barely takes time to think about what is coming out of it. He pulls the release on his crossbow, firing a bolt at the first creature he can target.
[dice=Crossbow shot]1d20+3
[dice=damage]1d6He quickly reloads after the shot.
Junior pulls out a sling and loads it with a normal bullet. He exclaims,
As the woman struggles to free herself, Massielo moves up to her and uses his longspear to lift the large piece of wall just enough for her to move out from under it. She winces and bites her lip in the attempt as she breathes in harshly through her nose and exhales out her mouth through gritted teeth. She offers a strained smile and briefly locks eyes as the healer bends down and offers Iomedae’s blessing. She bites her lip again and a drip of sweat runs down her temple as Massielo’s magic moves the jagged bone back into place to calcify as the two pieces of bone meld back together. She grabs the healed leg in both hands and massages the appendage as her healer moves to the blind Elf.
”Help me next,” the human orders. ”Can’t you see how injured I am?” Massielo shrugs off the order as he moves to the elf. ”Do you know who I am? I will have Lord Hulrun himself strip your titles for not aiding me,” the human continues to protest.
Massielo continues to the Elf next and works his healing magic. After the Elf is healed, he has enough energy to speak, ”Who is that touching me? I demand to know who you all are. I will need to know who I am working with if I am to lead you all out of here.”
The Elf’s voice lowers as he realizes his healer has move on. Massielo reaches the angered human, ”Well it’s about time. What took you so long,” he complains as his scratches and scrapes disappear quickly with the offered healing magic. As Massielo considers how he is going to address these people, he gets distracted and turns to listen to Greta exclaim something about worms and Caliban speak in a language his does not understand.
With Massielo distracted, Benedic moves in and asks his questions. The woman struggles to stand complaining that her leg is still very tender.
The Elf continues to demand who is with him and considers himself in charge, while the human complains about his predicament.
Over by the spider corpse
Caliban lets out an Elvish curse as freezing arcanic energies burst from his hand and hits a maggot. The spider gore and maggot mucus on its body freeze and pieces of its body start to crack apart where the magic hit. It the maggot feels pain, it does not show it as it undulates forth.
Moments after Caliban’s attack, Selann fires a bolt at the same putrid creature. The bolt flies true and enters the gaping, tooth-filled mouth of the creature. With a wet plopping sound, the bolt exits out the other side and the creature’s mouth falls to the ground with a sickly, gooey mass of liquid leaking out smelling like weeks-old milk.
As the maggots close in, Greta takes two great swings with her hammer. Almost like a game, the little woman smacks two of the creatures. With each attack, the ravenous beasts take to the air following the trajectory her swing takes them. They do not seem to move after they land.
Junior calls out to the elf, "My name's Junior, that's Massielo working on you. We can get a role call in a second."
Benedic watches the trio respond to Massielo, shaking his head slightly but inclined to grant them the benefit of his patience, since they are all injured and in an unfamiliar and dangerous situation. He looks over the woman while the other two shout at the man, carefully keeping an eye on the situation behind him. He thinks that the others have the spider situation under control, but he will be ready to rush to their aid if it should seem that they need his help.
"It could be wise to speak more quietly," he suggests to the human and the elf as Massielo moves away from them. "We do not want to attract too much attention until we can ensure that you are upright and able to walk. I will keep you safe until then."
To the woman, he says: "It looks like you could benefit from a splint or a crutch. No unnecessary bravery, now, take it easy! We can easily fashion you something out of this debris, once the immediate danger has passed."
Greta hoists her oversized hammer above her head once more as she moves towards the remaining worm. Once it’s within her reach, she brings the formidable weapon crashing down in an attempt to end the fight...