Caliban draws his longsword grimly, Very well, we will do what we must to return you, and ourselves, to our respective homes.
Caliban nods and grins as Junior begins speaking, unsure of whether the man is tall-tale telling or not, but knowing the facts to be correct, Caliban adds, Junior's correct, I believe the name for the creature is a Basidirond, the hallucinogenic spores can cause you to become quite confused. Perhaps it is best if it is not present in this cavern.
The elf looks ahead to the cavern, adjusts his armor, and seems prepared to go.
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Although uncomfortable with the excessive contact, Massielo is glad that the chasm didn't cause major issues in the end.
Later, he comments "If we come across this thing, it's unlikely we'll be able to sneak by it. If we do, get into a flanking position quickly and use every resources we have to get it down quickly." With a stern face, the man prompts the group to move forward.
Selann glances at Junior but decides to withhold comment. "We'll ready missile weapons and attack quickly if we see it. Shouldn't be too dangerous...."
With your minds and weapons ready, you proceed. The tunnel opens into a circular cavern, roughly forty feet in diameter. Thick sheets of fungus grow in the cave, and several tunnels branch off. All of these save one in the north wall lead downward; the northern one leads upward. What appear to be two dead bodies lie on the ground in the middle of the cave, next to a strange heap of ropy green fungus.
The mongrelmen rush forward, weapons held high, before coming to a confused halt after only a few steps. "It's...dead?" Lann says, hesitantly. "But who are these people?"
Selann moves closer with care. "Did the fungus kill them?"
Greta enters the chamber cautiously, not at all comfortable with the idea of becoming confused in lost caves with her new friends.
how confused, exactly... nobody really explained that... confused like I might not recognize a pit and fall in it, or confused like I might mistake one of them for a ghoul and start swinging my hammer... that wouldn't work out well for any of us...
She tries not to get any closer than absolutely necessary to the fungus thing, even after speculation starts about whether its already dead. "Maybe we shouldn't touch it at all?" she asks from a distance. "We wouldn't want to knock any spores out of it... maybe we could stand at a safe distance and throw fire or shoot arrows at it to see if its dead?"
Junior glances about for clues.
Caliban looks at the fungal mess in the middle of the room, and replies to Massielo, Yes, I should be able to do that. Anyone object?
Caliban awaits patiently during the discussion.
Selann, here is your chance to see this in person. Caliban will step to within 25' of the fungal mess, and keeping his sword before him, as if to ward away the fungal smell of the room, quickly incants in Draconic, and a geyser of water erupts from his left hand toward the fungal mess.
Selann watches, definitely academically interested. "Yes. I can definitely see where that would be useful. And even if you don't intend to move the target, the geyser of water would assist greatly in cleaning. Once we reach a safe place I very much want to learn that!"
At the Crevasse
Tristan watches as the glowing rock falls down, down, down; in a burning ring of fire. After nothing begins playing Return to Sender, the Inquisitor shrugs a bit disappointed. Casting Light onto his shield, he then joins the others in the crossing.
Cavern
Tristan views the bodies, the fungus, the hugeness of the cavern; as a bad omen. The Inquisitor warily approaches the bodies. He shines his Light on them for a better look.
The creature's body rocks slightly as Caliban's spell connects, but it doesn't move or react. It genuinely appears to be dead. The other corpses, meanwhile, are dressed as Iomedaen crusaders, though they wield glaives rather than the longswords you would usually see carried by their like.
Looking at the results of his spell, Caliban comments, Well, nothing tried to assault us, shall we approach? And what is the significance of the glances, seems odd for Crusaders.
Selann moves up with Massielo, curious about the weapons that the supposed crusaders were holding.
Junior picks up one of the weapons and adds it to his growing collection.
A closer inspection confirms that the basidirond is, indeed, quite dead, struck down in what was likely the dying act of one of these men. Examining the bodies, you find that, in addition to the glaives, each was wearing a masterwork chain shirt and a spiked gauntlet. One still carries two potions of cure light wounds, while the other has a scroll of cause fear in a belt pouch. Between the two of them, you also find 197 gp in currency.
Curiously, the body on which you found the scroll clutches something tightly in his fist: a small symbol of a bull's head with tiny red gemstone eyes.
Junior considers the symbol, "Maybe a warrior-farmer who loved his prize bull?" He tries on one of the gauntlets for size.
Lann makes a sort of wishy-washy gesture with his hand. "We've seen people like them in the tunnels before, though more and more in recent weeks. I think they've worked out some kind of alliance with a different tribe...a bad tribe."
Your other companions have varying reactions to Massielo's identification of the bodies. Horgus and Millorn seem completely uninterested, Anevia looks disgusted, and Aravashnial somehow seems positively delighted.
"I knew it!" exclaims the elf. "We should bring these with us so that they can be identified by the church, and we can find out who they were working with."
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Massielo looks to Aravashnial a little confused. He says diplomatically "I believe we need to get in contact with a church if we are to identify them. For now, we should move forward."
Massielo goes further and starts searching the bodies for something a little more exact, such as documents or orders.
Considering Massielos news, Caliban adds, “What if we bright their articles of faith with us to show to the authorities in Kenabres?
Benedic nods absently to Aravashnial and Massielo. "I know some of the faithful from the temple will be grateful to know their suspicions about turncoats among the Crusaders are not unfounded. As we cannot carry their corpses with us, would anyone object if we kept their heads wrapped in their cloaks? A bit gruesome, but better than being unable to identify them once we return to the surface, perhaps." He wrinkles his nose. "It might also be wise to burn the bodies, so as not to attract more vermin— or worse," he says.
The Inquisitor frowns at the sight of the Minotaur god's unholy symbols amongst the crusaders. Tristan collects any reference to the Beast god from the two turncoats.
He then (once everyone is finished) retrieves a holy text from his pack. He flips through the book with practiced precision. He then preforms a ritual of denouement over the bodies, while taking his dagger, drawing the symbol for a traitor in Celestial.
May your Souls journey to the abyss be swift!
Cleaning his dagger on the cloak of a traitor, replacing his book and dagger to their respective places, Tristan returns to his position of rearguard.
We may need route this nest of traitorous bastards out! The Inheritor demands it!
The Inquisitor notes those reactions.
Aravashnial strokes his chin, thinking. "I see your point. The unholy symbol is itself powerful evidence, but I would be grateful if you would all be willing to...hmmm...'testify' is too strong of a word, but to confirm that we saw them wearing crusader gear."
"I think we would all be willing to report to the church about these. They were obviously not real crusaders, but just imposters."
"But we shouldn't slow ourselves down carrying bodies with us."
Benedic nods deferentially to Aravashnial, then (perhaps a bit embarrassed that the elf cannot see his gesture) he says: "Very well, Aravashnial. We will leave them be."
Junior looks to Lann, "Which way?" Junior looks to the tunnel that heads upwards.
After deciding what to do with the bodies and their equipment, Lann and his comrades lead you down the northern tunnel. After another 15 minutes, the tunnel once again opens into a circular cavern, about 20 feet across. Here, four mongrelmen stand guard in front of a large stone door. They eye your group suspiciously, but Lann hurries forward and, after a short explanation, their attitude warms considerably and they usher you inside. "Welcome, uplanders," one of them says as you enter, "to glorious Neathholm!"
A small, dark lake ripples in the center of the two-hundred foot-wide cavern beyond the door, the walls and ceiling aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky one-hundred-foot-wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement an almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake’s closest shore.
"Please, come with us," Lann says, heading toward the pier. "I'd like you to meet our chieftain, so he can know what is happening up on the surface."
Aravashnial's mood brightens even further upon seeing Neathholm, even from this distance. "Not only are pitlings real, they have entire societies down here!" he exclaims, oblivious to the annoyed expressions this brings out in your escorts.
Tristan views the settlement with wonder.
Exactly how far beneath the city is Neathholm.
The Inquisitor helps where he may with loading folks onto a raft.
”Wow, they built a whole city down here,” Greta marvels, ”how long has this been here? And, why doesn’t anyone on the surface know about it? Shouldn’t there at least be some trade or something if this is right under our city?”
Caliban gazes in wonder at the constructed city underground. Marveling at the work done by these people so removed from the above ground world. It is wonderful. We finally have met not only a group of people who are not trying to slay us, but a group so welcoming and hospitable to us.
Aravashnial's mood brightens even further upon seeing Neathholm, even from this distance. "Not only are pitlings real, they have entire societies down here!" he exclaims, oblivious to the annoyed expressions this brings out in your escorts.
Caliban chides the wizard first in elven, then switching to the trade tongue. Tule vanhin, nämä ihmiset yrittävät auttaa meitä. Harkitse myös heidän tunteitaan.
Plese remember, words have power, and I believe our words carry much weight with these fine people who have lived so long in this city.
Caliban comments as he descends onto the raft.
Selann stares at the city for a moment, surprised that it could exist. When he realizes Lann had spoken he turns to him, "Indeed, glorious. Your home is beyond words to describe, and I know we'd all like to meet your Chieftain."
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Caliban's words cause Aravashnial's face to redden in embarrassment, but he nods. "Kyllä, olet aivan oikeassa. Kiitos, että oikaisit minua."
Your trip across the lake is uneventful, almost peaceful. As you are escorted through Neathholm, its inhabitants watch you, before returning to their business. The feeling you get is one of curiosity, rather than hostility or suspicion.
You soon arrive at the largest building on the lake, the home of Chief Sull. The Chieftain of Neathholm is unpleasant to look at, with a bloated body and a clouded eye, but he speaks in a kind manner and welcomes you into his home. He listens to Lann's report before turning to you.
"I thank you, uplanders, for your rescue of Crel. You have already done Neathholm a service, but still I must ask: why are you down here?"
Junior clears his throat, "The short answer is we fell. The long of it is Kenabres has been attacked. The Storm King himself lead an army of demons against us. Early in the attack a fissure in the earth was torn beneath our very feet. The silver dragon Terendelev rushed to meet her old foe in combat but spared a few seconds to slow our fall into the depths, saving our lives. We watched helpless as she was decapitated. I sometimes wonder if she hadn't saved me would she still be alive?"
Junior stares into the distance slightly sad but breaks his reverie, "I don't know what is happening on the surface right now but it can't be good. We're eager to return. If there are survivors they will need help repelling the demons. If I can save at least one more life I might be able to justify to myself Terendelev's sacrifice. Can you help?"
"Yes, your city is incredible. Sadly, knowledge of what is underground here is sadly lacking on the surface. Traveling thus far we have encountered several dangers, vermin and such. But we've also found great surprises. Indications of other travelers, and even a temple to Torag. This information would be of great interest to those on the surface if it weren't for the current disaster...."
Thank you Chief Sull for aiding us already. Your people have saved us hours of headache wandering the tunnels for which we are ill-prepared. We did discover some cultists of Baphomet's bodies in our travels. Have there been others wandering around in these tunnels? Caliban looks to Aravashnial when he mentions the cultists, knowing the elf would be interested in supporting his suppositions.
As you speak, Chief Sull's expression becomes more and more concerned. Finally, he speaks again.
"You bring me grave news indeed, but at least it explains the source of the earthquakes. I have a favor to ask of you." He pauses for a moment before continuing. "I would like you to bring a message to the surface: while the uplanders may consider us to be freaks and outcasts, our ancestors drove the demons back in the First Crusade. We will honor our foremothers and forefathers, and stand with the people of Kenabres against these invaders."
Chief Sull rises from his seat and moves toward the window. "Your route to the surface lies to the south, but I am sad to say that another tribe stands in your way. These traitors" he says, practically spitting the word, "have consorted for some time with the cultists you spoke of. I had ignored them, but clearly the time for that has passed."
He turns to face you once more. "Bring word that my people will join the crusade to free Kenabres, and I will aid you. Soldiers I cannot send with, as they will be needed to gather our forces, but I can give you magical potions to help you push through the traitors and reach the surface."
"Once we receive word that the crusaders above will welcome the crusaders below," he says, with a small smile, "we will rise up and push back our hated enemy. What say you?"
Benedic has been very quiet all the time they have been in Neathholm. He is startled by the chief's offer, and though he says nothing in response he frowns as if he finds it troubling.
Junior claps his hands, "That's very generous of you chief Sull! We will of course deliver this message. I was hoping just for directions but with an army at our backs we will surely retake Kenabres. Or at the very least we will be able to tell our gods that we did everything we could. I hope that this will show my fellow uplanders the error of their ways. Maybe afterwards trade agreements can be made, but that's a problem for another day."
Junior glances down at the coin in his hand and say, "You said something about potions?"
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Selann hears the chief's words, but is reminded of the item he is carrying. He digs out the bat brooch from his pouch. "Chief Sull, We'll get through the traitors, but since we will likely be leaving this area.... We found this brooch at a camp site back on the trail. Nothing else looked personal. I thought this might be a personal item, possibly a family treasure. If you recognize it perhaps you could return it to the family?" He holds the brooch out to the chief.
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Massielo adds "Your aid is very appreciated. We will pass on your words. We will also remind everyone of the importance of the First Crusade, of which you are the sons and daughters. I know that you cannot spare any soldiers, but a guide would be very helpful to find our way back to the top. We will keep them safe."
Not knowing anything about politics or trade relations, Greta happily listens to everyone else talk.
Traitors and cultists... that's not as good as killing demons, but it sounds like its still important work... I wonder if the cultists try to help demons escape... maybe they even helped with this attack... oh, if that's true then we should definitely kill them...