As Estelle walks into the healer's post, she feels... odd. Not nostalgic, but very aware still of how she'd worked in a place like this not too long ago. It had felt like a prison, the never-ending stream of injured and dying.
Too many dying. Too many heartbreaking last words and people crying for their parents - too many thinking she was their mother in a delirious fever. And then there was the cutter's tent next to hers. At some point, even the smell of ever-present, ever-coagulating blood stopped bothering her.
And what had gotten her through were the increasingly rare visits from Flynn... what had happened to...?
"Excuse me, I'm one of the contestants and I was injured in the exploration..." She begins, talking to the nearest healer.
After the process is concluded, she returns to the Inn and makes ready for her guard duty shift.
The watch for the night is loosely organized. Zoltan and Roderick having a room a few doors away from Ailyssa's room, and those booking a room not too far from the stairs, sounds wouldn't be blatantly missed.
Throughout the night, things remain surprisingly, thankfully, quiet.
Overhearing a group to be protectors, and one of them affiliating with -a second group-, seems to have sufficiently disencouraged the group the team saw the evening before.
==========================
The next morning:
==========================
8:00 AM, breakfast is served.
The breakfast served consists of a porridge, bread and an apple, with a canter of water per table.
Ailyssa makes an arrival after everyone else, and she makes a cheerful and relieved impression as she comes downstairs. Perhaps something to do with safely getting through the night?
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Astella goes over to talk to Ailyssa at breakfast and says
I am pleased to see you well this morning, friend bard.
Are you leaving today? May we escort you to your ship or help you in any other way? I collected some friends to help watch over you, and we are all agreed to keep you safe from our less-ethical fellow contestants.
If you aren't leaving until later, perhaps you would like to join us in our activity today, so that we can guard against any "accidents"?
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Daniel never was good at keeping watch. Too often he would drift into his mind or become to focused on passing the time. Though he did have his moments. At least he didn't need to worry about taking off and putting on his armor for now.
In the morning, so preoccupied is he with his meal and milk he doesn't notice Ailyssa until the others have already started speaking to her. He shrugs, happy to let the others do as they will after overhearing Astella's offer.
We don't know who is ethical here really.. if she was a fugitive we would be required to arrest her ourselves... ahhh, always more than one side to any story, and honestly I never was particularly good at figuring out which side was embellishing. He muses to himself.
we heal 1hp per HD after an 8 hour rest correct?
I am pleased to see you well this morning, friend bard.
Are you leaving today? May we escort you to your ship or help you in any other way? I collected some friends to help watch over you, and we are all agreed to keep you safe from our less-ethical fellow contestants.
If you aren't leaving until later, perhaps you would like to join us in our activity today, so that we can guard against any "accidents"?
By now, four other groups are at breakfast as well.
The moist noise coming from the jovial Brent Flinn and his friends."I am taking the next vessel back to the mainland, which should arrive around 10:00. Before that, though, i'd like to sell the lute to you. Not for the 20 your friend offered earlier, but 10. Gets me a better one than standard back in Erathia.
That work for you?"
Why thank you.
Astella hands over the money, adding another 5 gold, saying
for your trouble.
She knows the woman, in lowering the price, is acknowledging their effort, but the list put her life in danger which had been wrong in the first place, so she wanted to make sure that was recompensed on some level as well... she wished she could do more to make it right, but they could provide at least a token.
She then says, to Ailyssa, her friends, and Alexa's group
Perhaps a long breakfast, then we'll see Ailyssa off, and then back to the hunt, eh?
"...Was it really needed to pay her that much extra after she offered to lower the price, Astella?" Estelle asks, looking up from her simple breakfast and frowning. "We still need to buy that bow at the very least, and we don't exactly have a lot of funds at the moment. Especially since you also offered to take one other group with us to the temple, so whatever we could have found there is now probably also cut in half. You're taking a lot of risk giving so much away and trying to befriend your direct opponents, who we know would benefit from turning on us at some point."
Astella's lips go thin, and she looks very angry for a moment, but she manages to smooth her features and speak without any anger showing in her voice at least:
You can have the 5 gold back from my share of group funds, Estelle. It was the right thing to do, and in the future I would appreciate it if you would criticize my choices in private, or at least without people other than our own group listening in.
Rowän raises an eyebrow at the exchange between Estelle and Astella. She thinks about holding her tongue but can’t, ”Astella we appreciate your good intentions but Estelle is right we should decide as a team how we spend our funds or who we team up with.” She continued, ”However, we can’t undo what has been done so let’s make the best of it. And be on our guard,” she added.
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Brunhild just shrugged. She didn’t expect to win, and even if they did she didn’t expect the prize to be anything special. Good things rarely happened, and even more rare they came as expected. All one could do was move forward and prepare for the worst. What really mattered was that they had breakfast. At least that was tangible.
Another thing... are we allowed to turn in things as we get them, or do we need to carry them with us? I wasn't sure, but if we can turn them in, we should turn this one in right away.
Before you'd head out, Astella is motioned to the innkeep, regarding 'special rations'.
Turns out chef Louis prepared some special crab jerky, enough for the 5 of you. Like regular jerky, it will stay edible for quite a while.
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While I understand the intent, from both Astelle and Estella. um that is, Estelle and Astella. I don't see that large a loss, since you all offered to pay even more than that. She could have put the instrument up for bidding, which we would likely have lost. So, if we believe her story, 5 gold is not so great a loss to show charity. But a good point is made that some group discussion may be good for funds and decisions from and involving the group. Respectively .
He does chuckle slightly at the end. Mother would likely try to chide Estelle, and father would most certainly chide Astella.
He gives a smile and looks to Astella with a warm expression. For what its worth, I applaud the charity, and agree with your sentiment. For the most part. I doubt 5 gold will make or break our venture here.
He stands, downing the reminder on his glass of milk in two gulps.
However, I do think we have a temple to explore? I also suggest making it quite clear what the... looting, I suppose, rules will be between our groups to avoid conflict later. If you haven't already.
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Not really wanting to escalate things further on one hand, but also believing she was very much right to protest, she shakes her head and holds her tongue momentarily. "Fine. Let's go searching for that temple."
Once outside, she checks to see if another team was in hearing distance before continuing, trying to be as reasonable as possible. "Look, if you want to do the right thing, I'm not opposed to that. However, we don't know much, if anything, about anyone here. That includes the bard, and more importantly the group of your crush, Astella. Just because they seem friendly now doesn't mean they always will be if it comes down to it. You may think I'm a horrible person for pointing this out, but if they turn on you, can and will you fight back? If we run into a monster and we're weakened with them right behind us, what stops them from taking our items or doing worse...? Blind faith in our opponents ?"
No other teams are currently present, but after Astella's answer, some come walking out and spread out.
The team of unsociables comes out second, looking at the direction everyone went to, as if gauging where least competition would be found in the search. They head west into the forest. Brent & friends head for the hills.
Team Alexis casually exit last, and wait for departure.
From the eastern part of town, you see Sally arrive, with a small pack.
"Ready to head out?", (notices the other group) "Friends of yours?"
Once the discussion continues Astella admits
Okay, you guys are right. I should have asked if you wanted another group along. This was basically a trade for helping us keep the bard alive, without which we wouldn't have this item, but I will make sure I ask before making any other plans. In fact, if someone else wants to make more decisions, I am all for it.
She doesn't respond to the additional questions that Estelle asks, however, still angry and completely unwilling to look at Alexa as an enemy.
Astella drops off the musical instrument and the seashell with Lord Markham and makes sure that Ailyssa gets off safe.
When Sally shows up, she greets her and in response to her question, she says Yes.
She walks at the back of the group as they follow Sally.
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Daniel glances around, then between the two women, before making a show of looking up to the sky.
Ah, the day has already gotten so hot. Almost makes me glad to be out of the old armor.
shattered may be an apt term yet.
Once their awaited group finally arrives, Daniel takes time to introduce himself and shake hands with the members of the other group. Quickly forgetting their names despite efforts to the contrary. Hopefully we all come out better off after this endeavor. He says to anyone listening after introductions are done.
When Sally shows up, Daniel gives a warm smile.
I believe so, at least for the day. After all, if it comes down to it. There were, to my memory, no rules disallowing teams to join together once on the Isle. Sure it likely would split whatever the reward is many ways. But, some reward is better than no reward. So perhaps all present could yet win together. Speaking of, are we ready to be off? I fear the other contestants are already out and about.
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Brunhild just hoped to be able to afford a proper bow when this was all said and done. She didn’t think that was too much to ask. But she didn’t hold out hope. When Daniel spoke she nodded. ”A vein of copper is worth more than rumors of gold.” She added, feeling that the phrase was more than enough for the situation.
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You wait an hour or so, and time reaches near 10:00, time for Ailyssa to sail back to Erathia. Turning around, the team turns the sea shell and lute over to Lord Markham and Judge Thomas.
Sally leads you into the hills. It takes some time, using crude zig zag paths to avert ascending them steeply.
Sally looks around for a moment.
"Rumor had it their temple was built underground, near an underground natural spring."
From the hills, you ave a clear view upon the town below. Just when you're wondering where it could be, Briersting's bored poking at stones sends a pebble rolling, after which you can hear a faint splashing sound nearby.
Approaching the area it came from, you find an entrance, neatly hidden in a natural hill alcove.
===========================================
It is completely dark inside, and a cool air hangs within the tunnel you are about to enter.....
When Atella realizes they are headed for the hills, she says
Keep on watch for Brent's group. They were headed this way, and that is who may have threatened Ailyssa.
_____
When they find the entrance, Astella casts light on a pebble and tosses it inside.
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”Good job,” the Druid says sarcastically to the cat. With the light Astella provided Rowän, bow at the ready, leads the way into the temple inviting Briersting to follow, ”Come on boy”
The pebble reveals all rock, and nothing in sight for even elven eyes.
Sally holds at the entrance.
"This is as far as i go. I'll wait for you here."
Alexis casts light on Zoltan's weapon.
About 20 minutes in, on a base of trial and error, you navigate through the first set of tunnels.
You notice a dead rat, occasionally. Vermin have, or had, taken up residence since this place was abandoned.
Up ahead, there is a three way intersection.
Tunnel 1 has a faint dripping sound in the distance.
Tunnel 2 has the sound of something squeeking, then turns silent.
Tunnel 3 has a faint sound you can't quite place, least not yet.
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Astella picks up the pebble and listens, not perceiving anything that would make one tunnel more enticing than another.
She waits to see if someone else wants to make a choice.
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"This is as far as i go. I'll wait for you here."
Estelle crouches a bit to look the younger girl in the eyes and offers her a kind smile, placing her gauntletted hands on the girl's shoulders. "Then be careful, all right? Since you're with us, I feel we're responsible for your saftey. Remember what I said yesterday about some less sociable teams and how they could be dangerous? We suspect one of them of having threatened the bard at the inn for her lute yesterday. So if you can, hide somewhere nearby and don't show yourself to the other groups. And think of an excuse for why you're here *alone* in case they do find you. I don't want to exit and find you taken hostage by that group and holding your safety in exchange you for whatever we find inside. And if we don't come out by evening, run back to town and get help. Can you do that for us?"
She looks at Sally expectantly.
"So... water in one direction, maybe more rats or something eating them in the second, and an unknown sound in the third," Estelle summarizes when the information is shared. "I'd vote we find out more about this unknown sound first. It sounds like it might be the most dangerous one and I'd rather not be flanked by whatever sounds like that if we run into trouble in the other directions."
Sally puts a hand on her hip after the 'can you do that for us' line.
"Of course, yet she gently pokes a finger at Estelle's sternum.
"In fact, do make sure you guys don't get yourselves in trouble you can't get out of."
Rowän agrees with Estelle, ”Best we find out more about this unknown sound.”
"Aye. Sound. Don't rightly want to stumble into an underwater lake. Fightin' rats sounds like a good way to get an infection. An unknown sound is the best of bad choices."
Serena: "All good and well, but entering that tunnel might leave us open to something from one of the other two.", she looks over at her friends.
"What say we head into one of the former two, while they take the third?"
Zoltan grins. "Sure, no sweat. Besides, these tunnels are too cramped to effectively fight with all 9 of us at the same time." He looks at the group,
"You lot take care, i got a feeling these tunnels will meet again. Just 1 tunnel to escape through is a poor choice of construction, after all."
Their group heads into tunnel one, and the team heads into tunnel 3.
================================================
10 minutes later, the sound formerly heard becomes clearer. It is the flapping of several big leathery wings. Two bats, the size of a small dog, detach from the ceiling.
Bats, round 1
Astella, Daniel, Rowan
Estelle
Brunhild
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Bats
Astella slings a rock at one of the bats.
(-1 if using stones)
(goes down to 1d3 with stones)
unfortunately missing.
Rowän takes a moment and focuses on the closest bat then she notched and arrow and fires with a blur. She commands Briersting, ”Guard!
Briersting leaps into the air fangs and claws flashing.
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Daniel thinks to himself.
I would think it safer the evil you know, rather than the one you do not.
I would quite like to see an underground river or lake. For what it is worth. I wager it is quite the sight.
Entering the dark tunnels, Daniel seems apprehensive, but with torch and light he does well enough.
Once the bats appear, Daniel pulls a javelin and readies a strike should they approach, not wanting to merely kill the creatures for being alive.
Projectiles fly as the bats come down, but neither hit.
Estelle
Brunhild
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Bats
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Silently cursing the inadequacy of her bow, which felt like it would snap in half if she pulled too hard, Brunhild let a pair of arrows fly at the bats. The first went wide, but the second looked far more promising.
Estelle at the lower end, fully exploiting its reach, and tries to guess how the bats would fly and attack. She stands ready to move in and strike the first one who tried to advance.
Unfortunately, as they draw close, the sight of bats triggers a horrific memory from the past, of Deyjan vampires sucking fellow children dry of their blood, and she freezes in panic, foregoing all of her attacks.
Brunhild takes careful aim, and her arrow hits the bat square in the chest, it drops dead on the ground.
As the sole remaining bat flies towards the group, Daniel shoots an arrow, which the creature dodges during its approach.
The bat now is flapping in front of Daniel, making a bite attack at him.
Daniel is bitten on his arm, blasted vermin!
=================================
Bats, round 2
Everyone
Astella shoots at the bat attacking Daniel.
(-1 if using stones)
(goes down to 1d3 with stones)
Missing again. She wasn't sure why the bats were making her twitchy, and she took a breath, taking a few steps back, and trying to calm down.
Taking a few slow, deep breaths upon seeing the bat attacking Daniel succesfully, Estelle tries to calm herself and try again...
...But fails to do so.
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Brunhild took careful aim at the remaining bat and calmly put two arrows into it. As much as she detested the lack of stopping power that the bow had, it was meant for hunting. And the bats? They were just the right size to be considered game.
Rowan moves trying to get a clear shot and fires another arrow while commanding Brier sting to attack.
The cat rushes forward and tries to shink his teat into the remaining bat.
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Brunhild claims a double kill, ending the second bat, which Briersting catches with its teeth as it is nearly on the ground.
Combat over.
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Brunhild retrieved her arrows from the corpses without pause. "There are worse things that bats beneath the earth. Stay sharp." She said.
Astella takes a look at Daniel's wound to see if it needed to be healed immediately, or if he had contracted rabies or something.
As far as she can tell , it looks okay though, so she decides to save her spell for later.
When Brunhild goes to collect her arrows, Astella sheepishly goes to pick up her rocks, envious of Brunhild's bow... but that was why she was here, after all. To improve her fortune without reverting to her old ways.
After that, she takes a good look around, jotting down some notes in her journal about her surroundings and drawing a crude map, not wanting to find herself lost in a maze of twisty little passages.
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Estelle sighs in relief at Brunhild's marksmanship, then silently resumes her position near the front.
She hoped no one would particularly notice or comment on how she hadn't landed a single hit yet in two full fights. Deep down, she knew she was better than this. But... something was really throwing her off. Was she worrying too much about being backstabbed by the other teams, so much that she couldn't focus properly? Just being part of a team again, and not being used to have to fend for anyone but herself? Running into Flinn and seeing how Daniel reminded her of the original him?
Maybe all at once.
She shook her head and started scouting for danger again. She really needed to get her head in the game more before they ran into something the others couldn't bail her out of, like that missing dragon...
Rowän scratches Briersting behind his ears, ”Good job boy.”