Saoirse stops, her eyebrows raising. An illusory wall? What strange trickery. "Oh?" she asks. "Do you think there might be anything interesting down that way? Any drow, or captured villagers?"
She takes a moment to step forward and call (towards the wall that Jonuli insists isn't real),
Nicodemus searches through the rubble, A statue of Jergal, former god of death. Strange that it is here.
As Saoirse begins bawling again he simply shakes his head at the madness.
Lets check out the chamber before everything within a mile of us comes looking. This illusion was clearly meant to protect something.
As Saoirse bellows into the room her voice echoes back distorted by the acoustics of the chamber beyond. As the echoes fade, all is silent for several heartbeats, until a deep gravelly voice rumbles out in strangely accented Common.
"Hmmm, so very loud. We wonder why the lightlanders crave death so, to be so loud. Their motivations appear irrational, but perhaps it is simply a matter of perspective? A...hmm, adequate enigma." There is a moment of contemplative silence before the voice is heard again. "Hmmm, no louder than the bebiliths' death throes, we must concede. Tell us, Comparatively Noisy Ones, does your presence here mean those vile hunters have perished?"
You can see anything in the chamber beyond, but you sense the minute movements of breathing and speaking--seemingly coming directly from a a large stalagmite hanging from the ceiling, perhaps fifteen feet past the door.
"One for sure dead, the other one driven off. I take it you were not a fan of the spider monsters, then? If we are to be on speaking terms, it's typically considered polite if we can see one another."
Elestar stays by the wall, hands hovering near his pistol crossbow and knife handles.
Nicodemus focuses on the wall, trying to disbelieve its existence.
Nicodemus calls out, Yes, the Bebilith are done with, one is dead, the other fled by means of Plane Shift. Who are you and what is your interest here? We are looking for a group of drow who have been using these caves. Can you tell us anything of them?
"One for sure dead, the other one driven off. I take it you were not a fan of the spider monsters, then? If we are to be on speaking terms, it's typically considered polite if we can see one another."
There is a grunting sounds that could generously be called a chuckle. "Hmmm, we are speaking to thee, yes, but we hold no illusions about those who converse with steel in their hands. Hmmm. And yes, we are pleased to learn of the bebiliths' defeat. They are thuggish brutes, uninterested in the mysteries of the world or the cultivation of inquisitive habits. Good riddance!"
"Hmmm, yes, we could tell thee much of drow. Coming and going and paying their tributes of course," The unseen speaker's tone makes the hint far from subtle. "Hmmm, we will exchange questions with thee, an answer for an answer, yes? Hmmm, we shall begin. What does a band of puissant lightlanders seek down in the dark earth?"
Saoirse calls out an answer. "We seek to rescue our wayward captured people!"
She thinks for a few moments before asking her own question. "Who or what are you?"
"Hey now, I have my hands conspicuously and entirely not suspiciously off my sheathed weapons. And like Saoirse said, we're looking for some kidnapped folks. Plus the drow who took them, of course."
"Hmmm, seeking the return of your property. Droll. We are Zurzemer and we keep watch over the tunnels, so close to the lightlands and yet so rarely visited. As we prefer." The voice sounds mildly annoyed but then lapses into a thoughtful silence for a few seconds. "We desire a second answer: what magics do you command?"
Nicodemus calls out, Many of us command a wide range of magic, healing and renewal, enhancement, powerful evocations and withering curses. Is there some problem you require assistance with?
You say you keep watch on these tunnels. Why? Who, if anyone, do you serve?
You hear that deep chuckle again, like rocks grinding together. "Hmmm. We serve no masters, but some battles have too little gain for too great a risk, as I'm sure you know. Or perhaps not. The drow have long known of this route to the lightlands, but wish for it to remain their secret. They have plied us with gifts and tribute in exchange for keeping watch. We know many things about these tunnels and what dwells within them." The voice is unmistakably smug about its supposed knowledge, clearly expecting you'll be impressed.
"A third answer we seek: if you succeed against the drow and recover your property, do you intend to remain here in the deep dark?"
You barely catch the sound under the noise of your unknown interlocutor's rumbling voice, but further back in the chamber behind it you hear snippets of spells being whispered in harsh, sibilant voices. At least two creatures are back there.
Saoirse pulls her allies aside for a moment. She mutters tersely, "I think we should stop. These are not allies, they are unknown creatures of the Darklands. Come, we have more important tasks."
"I don't know if you could hear, but they have at least two additional spellcasters behind the person talking. If I had to guess, they're delaying us to try an ambush while we're unawares. If so, I'd kind of like to stab them a while lot. I have a trick that will drop a veil of darkness around a spot, pretty much noone but me can see through it, so I could stab and slice plenty good while they're blinded. Of course, if we proceed and just wait a minute, they might come up and deliver themselves to be counter ambushed."
Our path seems to lead through this cavern and if there are further spellcasters back there they may well be its drow allies. We should strike hard and fast! I would avoid the use of darkness, you might be able to see it but we cannot and if these castes are drow they may well be able to also.
Jonuli waves the group back down the tunnel 30 feet. When they gather he whispers "They are preparing for combat. Why don't we wait for an hour or two and then go get them once their spells are no longer useful. By telling them what kind of magics we use they know what to cast."
Saoirse shakes her head, perplexed and confused. "No, I don't want to fight," she protests, "These are clearly not drow, which means they are not our targets. I agree that we should retreat for a time and discuss our strategy, but I want to emphasize that I prefer to avoid unnecessary battles."
This thing has just told us that it is in league with the drow. I would not want to leave it and its allies behind us.
"They call me Spring, and I am a druid capable of magics of the second circle!" Wintyr's voice is quite a bit more upbeat and chipper than you are used to hearing. "I'm still trying to find the magic that best suits me, but I really am partial to divinations and the like!"
"Wow! You really sound like you know your stuff! I don't really like these tunnels very much, not enough green, and I haven't seen a natural animal yet. Do any even live down here?"
"They just told us that the drow pay them tribute," hisses Saoirse, "That's not the same as being on a team with them. But -- if you're so eager to fight -- you lead, I'll follow."
Nicodemus looks around the rest of the group, Well, what do the rest of you think...
Wintyr is distracting and making conversation. She'll go along with whatever you decide, but I wouldn't mind seeing what information these guys give to "Spring"
Jonuli looks exasperated and says "These guys have said they are in league with the drow, they are their watchmen over this route. I doubt we can out bribe the drow as their arrangement has the advantage of time where we would be one time. I say we just wait a bit and then move in."
"Hmmm. Spring, yes, part of the warming cycle of the lightland. But we did not receive an answer to our query: should you find success in recovering your property, do you intend to remain down here, or would you return to your lands of light and unpleasantly variable tempuratures?"
"Being down here is kind of gross, and I can't see so well in the dark, so I'd like to leave ASAP! Can you help us find what we're looking for?"
Elestar sneaks to where the illusory wall is indicated and listens closely, trying to determine just what kind of creature is speaking and possibly how many spellcasters.
Elestar slips through the illusory wall, finding himself in a large chamber with more carved-out shelves lining the northing wall. This room is far less worked than the previous, with a rough column set a few feet into the entrance and its roof rising fifteen feet high.
The column makes a displeased sound, and the eye in the center of its mass narrows at Elestar--far from being inanimate stone, it addresses the elf with clear irritation.
"Hmmm...how uncouth. We did not invite thee to enter. Tell me, lightlander drow, will you join the one called Spring in leaving these chambers if you find that which you seek?" Its enormous mouth is a round pit lined with rings of jagged teeth, like a lamprey.
This creature is a roper, a rare and bizarre creature native to the Underdark that closely resembles a stalactite or stalagmite. They are ambush hunters, quite strong and keenly intelligent.
"Well, I really don't have any reason to be down here other than the villagers those drow took. If we can find them and get them back from their captors, great. If not, we're gonna have to keep searching til we can do so."
Elestar stays as far away from the roper as he can, cautious of whatever was spellcasting earlier and not looking to be ambushed himself.
The roper's mouth twitches--a smile? Maybe? It leans forward towards Elestar and drops its voice. "What if we told you where to find the drow? The ones who took your property, and others besides? This would be very valuable, hmmm?"
"We would certainly be interested in hearing where the drow went, but as you say, that is valuable intelligence."
Elestar raises his voice a bit and scans the area to ensure his escape path is unobstructed
"What would a roper consider suitable trade for such information?"
"We are wise and knowledgable, but we must eat, and some prey proves...difficult. Hmmm. We know that lightlanders often produce elixers and wands that give succor to the wounded. Such magic would be meet our price, hmmm."
"Let me just check with my comrades, and see if anyone has such items to potentially trade. Gimme one second and I'll be back."
Elestar slips back to the rest of the group with an uneasy smile in place.
"Dunno if you all heard that, but there's a roper beyond the illusion. It suggests it has information on where the drow are and wants to trade for some healing magic, like potions or wands. Anyone feeling up for some negotiating?"
Elestar slips a pair of CLW potions from his belt and shrugs.
Nicodemus checks his pack, I have a wand and that is about it. I dont plan on giving it up either. I could perhaps see if I can convince the thing to accept a handful of potions if people are willing to trade.
Saoirse hisses, "What is our purpose here? I should seriously not think that trading away valuable healing supplies, or bickering over attempting to get a good deal on uncertain and unreliable information, is seriously in your minds right now?"
When she gets no response from any of her teammates, Saoirse makes a command decision. She marches right up to the illusory wall and sticks her head through so that she can see the person she was talking to. She boldly sticks a finger straight at them, and proclaims loudly, "Hey! We're some pretty awesome bad-asses over here. We killed those bebeliths, and we've slain a vampire too, and we're just getting started! If you've got anything to tell us, just go ahead and do it, but if not, we're marching deeper to save some people and kick some drow butt!"
Her gaze is steely as she finishes her speech: "If you get in our way, we will slay you without mercy or remorse."
Jonuli sighs and says to the others "I guess we are moving on. Let's see if it is after a fight or not." He then waits to see what the creatures response is to Saoirse.
"These potions are worth like 100 gold, and will heal about as much as two uses of my wand. If we can get some intel on the drow, I'd say that's a fair price. And if the monster tries to betray us, well, we Stab the heck outta it. "
There is a long moment of silence after Saoirse's challenge before the roper's rumbling response comes. "Hmmm. While pompous, you are clearly quite strong, or you would be feeding the pit spiders even now. So I shall tell you this: the drow of Szith Morcane have had another one of their interminable civil wars, and the losers have fled here to the Crypts. The victors command hosts of the walking dead, but the fools did not find our little tunnel here. If we were to tell you that several of the vanquished cower in the chambers behind us, what would thou say?"
"Drow past the roper? I mean, if we're gonna get involved in some kind of civil war, we're gonna need local information. And probably local clothing and gear to blend in. We pay the monster and see if it will turn over those drow or we steike and try and put it down. Its a tough and wily predator, though, and quite capable of killing."
Saoirse keeps the roper's gaze and without hesitation, she says "I'd say that you'd better get the Hells out of my way."
"Oh jeez Mr. Roper. I wouldn't mess with her when she gets like this!" Wintyr is beginning to look slightly fatigued keeping up this bubbly facade.
Again that rumbling chuckle is hear. "Do not let us keep you from your destiny, lightlander." One of the roper's tentacles gesture to beckon you in. "Do not be fooled by appearances, the back wall is a but an illusion, the chamber goes much deeper."
"Well then, we would not want to disappoint your drow guests. Perhaps they would be willing to drop any weapons and surrender peacefully, so as to avoid any more of their people dying needlessly? I mean, I know I'd prefer to keep all my organs inside my skin."
Elestar moves towards the back wall, nodding towards Saorise as he does.
Saoirse nods. "Thank you for not standing in our way," she says.
Then, bravely, she goes first. She walks through the roper cave and straight through the illusory wall on the other side. Once there, she blinks, creates a magical light, and looks around for signs of drow activity.
Saoirse steps into the chamber, the roper's single eye tracking her intently as she does so. This chamber is little different from the last two you'd gone through, though it is clear of the disgusting patches of yellow mold and the thin shelves are devoid of the dust and bone shards of the previous rooms. About forty feet in length, the room appears to end in another set of rough shelves.
Your preternaturally honed senses confirm that the far wall is another illusion--the chamber continues further beyond, and there is a creature lurking on the other side!
Leaning out of the far wall--as though it were mere air instead of unyielding stone--is a generally humanoid figure, but with spidery features. Their heads are flatter than a human's, with clicking mandibles where their mouth would be. Their skin appears to be slightly chitinous, and it grips a bow in it's hand, arrow nocked and aimed directly at Saoirse!
Suddenly a raspy, sibilant voice punctuated by strange clicking sounds can be heard, seemingly coming from the empty shelves carved into the far side of the room...
"Kirrgirannkol, you traitorous filth! We'll deal with you in a moment!"
Hearing the voice from the back Jonuli casts haste on Elestar, Saoirse and himself.
Elestar's jibes are met with a wordless, threatening hiss, but the sound of Jonuli's spellcasting causes its head to swivel toward the sound. Unable to get a shot off at the caster, it settles for shooting the nearest surfacer--the arrow streaks across the room and sinks into Saoirse's leg, though nothing vital is struck. Now visible to all, the creature falls back with another menacing hiss, vanishing back through the supposed stone wall on the far side of the chamber.
-ROUND ONE-
Spider Wardens
Nicodemus
Jonuli
Wintyr
Elestar
Saoirse (-10hp)