"Thanks, Elyda. Elliot, would you guide your master over to where Anevia is? I'd like to get a look at him as well. And, ah, Verene? You don't have to call me 'lady', Elliot just says that because he's very polite."
Elliot takes the hand of his master and gently leads him over to the cleric. He tries not to look too carefully at his teacher's mangled face and lack of eyes as he does, preferring to distract himself with some conversation. "Come now, you're a holy warrior in service of a godlike-entity in what might be the most dangerous place in the world, right, Merixia? That's enough for me. Probably more deserving for the title of 'Lady' than many at any rate."
He guides his teacher down gently so that he could be examined as well. "Do I still need to support you, Anevia?" he asks, when the splint is eventually done. "I mean, I could do that and guide both you and my teacher along. Won't be able to help much if we have to fight, but I'm probably not the strongest warrior among us anyway. You guys go and take care of that spider and I'll watch over these two."
Thesius would glance back once more at the scales, a constant reminder of what had happened up above before putting his attention back on the spider.
"Something does not add up. There is no reason why their time along should have created such a disparity in their power from then to now."
Remembering the elf's question and agreeing that they should better understand each other's capabilities, Thesius responds, "I am Thesius Monteblanc. A gambler and scholar, but with some training in various weapons. My experience with actual combat is limited. I also hold some arcane power to heal wounds, understand languages, and other minor spells."
"I understand. Merixia, then. I also tend toward over-caution with titles, since it's hard to know who holds what rank in the Crusade - or who will take offense if addressed too informally."
Merixia nods to the human woman as she finishes with Anevia's splint. "Quite understandable. I often do the same."
Elliot takes the hand of his master and gently leads him over to the cleric. He tries not to look too carefully at his teacher's mangled face and lack of eyes as he does, preferring to distract himself with some conversation. "Come now, you're a holy warrior in service of a godlike-entity in what might be the most dangerous place in the world, right, Merixia? That's enough for me. Probably more deserving for the title of 'Lady' than many at any rate."
"Ha! You have a point there." Standing up, she turns to Elliot's mentor. "Hello, sir. I'm Merixia Pentarian, a cleric of Ragathiel. I'm going to have a look at your wounds, if that's all right." Merixia carefully examines the elf's mangled face, wincing silently at his empty eye sockets. "Well, I can bandage you up, and provide a little magical healing. Unfortunately I'm not a very powerful cleric yet. Right now I'm honestly better with a sword than with spells. I'll do what I can, but since there's an enormous undead spider in the cave with us that we still have to deal with, I need to save some of my magic just in case."
The cleric raises her holy symbol. "Ragathiel, grant me your healing light!" A burst of fiery golden-orange light briefly shines from the symbol. Merixia repeats the channeling once more, hoping that this will allow Anevia and the elf to survive until they reach the surface.
That fell thing is chewing! Yet, on what or who? Elyda shuddered at the thought.
In a voice that was steady and lowered, so only the people could hear her, she warned, "I do not wish to alarm any of you, yet the spider appears to be chewing on something. Keep calm. I will need to take a closer look - please be vigilant."
"Alright. What are we going to do with the spider over there?"
"Won't be able to help much if we have to fight, but I'm probably not the strongest warrior among us anyway. You guys go and take care of that spider and I'll watch over these two."
Casting a quick glance at Anevia, she responded, "I will determine what it is doing first and then I shall act." Then glancing at Elliot, she merely nodded, "Agreed. Keep them safe. We will deal with the spider."
Then addressing Merixia and Thesius, she added quietly, "Let us work together - I'll be drawing nearer to better determine the situation."
Armed with her buckler and morningstar, Elyda attempted to quietly move/step forward to determine the degree of imminent danger.
Horgus snickers darkly. "No, no demons in me. If they sought to possess anyone, it would be the children of Heaven or Nirvana." He nods at Elyda and Elliot. "No, I saw the Untruth, and now know it too well." He lets out another sob.
Verene sees no sign of demonic presence in the room, just the still twitching spider.
At Elliot's question, Anevia shakes her head. "I think I'll be able to stand. Just... be careful. It might go for us, rather than those who are more prepared." She twitches her head at the spider.
"I am Aravashnial, conjurer and wizard." He turns his face towards where Elliot last spoke. "And this young man's teacher in matters arcane."
Horgus is a bit more infamous - he's an acerbic and tight-fisted noble who's infamously unpleasant to spend time with, at least for the most part. He isn't behaving much like that now, though - there's something intrinsically wrong about him.
Ragathiel's golden healing sweeps through the room, and both Anevia and Aravashnial look slightly better - color returns to Anevia's cheeks, though her eyes are cast in shadow by Thesius' dancing lights, and Aravashnial's wounds seal up somewhat.
Before anyone can say anything else, Elyda approaches the spider carefully. Oddly, there's no sign of anything (or, thank the gods, anyone) that the spider could be chewing on. However, before she gets too close, the spider's twitching grows stronger, and it bursts open, with three large, pale worm-like creatures squirming out of it.
Anevia reacts fastest to the sudden eruption of giant bugs. "Watch out! They're not an undead spider!" She steps forwards, grunting, and draws her bow, only to reach for an arrow and curse. "Damnation!" The arrow she draws is broken from the fall.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Thesius, at the sight of the bugs, would whisper a soft prayer to Lady Luck before bursting into action.
Recognizing the threat at hand, he warns his allies of the danger at hand, "They're giant maggots, beware their mouths as they have a knack for voiding their bowels on those that get near."
Despite his own warning, he moves over in front of Anevia and Horgus to take a swing at the lead maggot.
Archaeologist's Luck Active 6/day remaining
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Distracted by the problem presented by Horgus Gwerm, Verene is just opening her mouth to reply to him when Thamyris voices the piercing whistle that means danger! and her head whips around. Her hand falls automatically to her hip, where her crossbow usually hangs.
Without even checking it or the bolt, Verene brings it up and looses at the grub she can see most clearly. However, she's long on haste and short on aim, and the shot goes wide.
"Giant maggots," she says, in exact unison with Thesius. "They can- oops." She stops talking to let him finish, then adds, "...yes. As he said."
Merixia grimaces, drawing her bastard sword from its sheath on her back. "Great. I hope one of you arcane types knows the instant cleaning spell." She circles around toward the northernmost maggot.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Great. I hope one of you arcane types knows the instant cleaning spell."
"I do!" Elliot says."Good thing too, since they-... oh, never mind."
The aasimar looks down a bit dejectedly when both Thasius *and* Verene beat him to the punch. "And I studied maggots so extensively, too..."
Noticing Anevia's ammunition problems to the side, he nods towards his backpack. "If you need it, you can use my crossbow, miss Anevia. The bolts are in the quiver next to it. But you could probably figure that."
If Anevia is indeed standing on her own accord, he draws his crossbow with his free hand and holds it out to her.
Giant maggots?! How could she have gotten it so wrong. Elyda inwardly groaned at her error. The young inquisitor then heard Thesius warn of their mouths and voiding bowels, yet she could not let them get closer to the still wounded citizens.
Elyda took a 5 ft step sideways, and, swinging her morningstar, attacked the white maggot, hoping to bludgeon it.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Verene is the first to move when the maggots erupt from the spider’s corpse, drawing her crossbow and loosing a bolt at one. Unfortunately, her haste makes for waste, as the bolt skitters off into the darkness.
Even as she does so, both she and Thesius shout a warning about these maggots’ capabilities.
Elliot is slightly behind in his own remark, but offers Anevia his crossbow. She nods her thanks, taking it from him with a grimace.
Merixia draws her god’s favored weapon and steps forwards, ready to engage with the disgusting creatures.
Thesius invokes the favor of the Song of Spheres, and rushes forwards, cutting one of the maggots nearly in two. Foul fluid erupts from the wound and sprays all over the half-elf, caking his (admittedly already dirty) clothing with its… blood? Whatever fluid is inside it.
Elyda finally reacts, thrashing the maggot with her morningstar. Perhaps Iomedae’s “younger sister,” Milani, watches over her - for the lawbringer's blow (made with the Everbloom's favored weapon) strikes home on the flesh of the maggot, and another burst of foul fluid splatters her. This one, however, seems to be clinging to life.
Aravashnial growls. ”What is going on? I cannot… What is happening?” His voice is edged in pain and desperation.
Meanwhile, Horgus scrambles away towards the corner. ”You all must protect me! You will need me! Knowledge, yes, and funds for the future!” He sounds genuinely terrified, but even now the heroes hear a note of amusement in his voice.
The maggot closest to Elyda lunges towards her, chomping with its insectoid maw, but she bats it away with ease.
The maggot squirms forwards and sprays its putrescence at Thesius, covering him in yet more foul fluids. The stench and sensation strikes home on him, and his stomach lurches, but he manages to hold onto his focus - mostly through lucky chance that kept his face turned slightly away from the vilest vomit.
With Elliot's crossbow in hand, Anevia limps to the side, before firing a bolt at the maggot that Elyda has already wounded. Despite having to adjust for the aasimar's presence, Anevia manages to land the bolt in the maggot's mouth, whereupon it bursts out the other side of its exoskeleton, thudding into the rock wall behind it.
Aravashnial growls. ”What is going on? I cannot… What is happening?” His voice is edged in pain and desperation.
Meanwhile, Horgus scrambles away towards the corner. ”You all must protect me! You will need me! Knowledge, yes, and funds for the future!” He sounds genuinely terrified, but even now the heroes hear a note of amusement in his voice.
Elliot gives his master's hand a comforting squeeze and speaks in a gentle tone. "They're doing great, Master. We're winning! I think two out of the three are already down. Which reminds me..."
He draws another bolt from his pouch and hands it to Anevia. "Nice shot, Miss! Would you like another?"
When Horgus continues his semi-insane dialogue just afterward, the emberkin aasimar looks up. "Um... Mister Gwerm, was it? If you get back here, away from the fight, I could protect you?"
Merixia grins as she runs at the remaining maggot, the light of battle in her eyes. Finally, a chance to let loose and hit something! She swings at the giant vermin, focusing her inner rage on the blow.
Merixia, filled with the divine power of the General of Vengeance, smites the last surviving maggot with her sword, slicing it nearly in twain.
With that, Anevia grins. "Good strike, Merixia!" She looks at the others. "You all did well, too." She hands Elliot his crossbow back, then. "Thanks, but I definitely prefer my bow to this thing. A bit too slow and clunky for my tastes."
Aravashnial shakes his head. "What is happening?" He reaches out for Elliot, gripping his arm tightly. "Two out of three what, Elliot?" His voice is strained with impatience, dread, and pain.
Gwerm looks at Elliot, a flicker of... something... crossing his eyes. "If you get me to the surface, you will be well paid, yes... and on our way, so long as I live, you will know more than you know. More than I know, even!" He lets out a sudden sob, shaking his head.
The smell of the foul fluid still filled her nostrils. The three giant maggots were brought down. She sent a silent prayer of gratitude to the Lady of Valor.
Looking across to Merixia who had delivered the fatal blow, she said, "Well done, Merixia," and looking to her other fighting companions, the young inquisitor added, "Bravely fought all." Stowing her buckler and morningstar, Elyda removed a kerchief from her pocket and attempted to carefully wipe some of the foulness from her face and body.
Then, Elyda cast a keen look around the cavern for any other, possible threats lurking or hiding in the shadows/depths.
Elyda turned her attention back to the rubble and the sparkling objects on the ground she had spied earlier. Bending down, she carefully picked them up and studied them.
Thesius gives a silent prayer to the Goddess of Fortune while staying on guard for a moment longer to make sure no further threat was present before taking the time to cast prestidigitation to first clean his sword and then his body of the foul liquids. He surprised himself with the strike before, but he knew his luck ran deep.
Remembering Anevia's curse earlier, he inquires to her, "Do you have any in tact arrows remaining? If not, I can offer you mine and I will stick to my sword."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Merixia smiles at her new comrades, digging in her bandolier for a rag. "Thank you." It's always nice when people appreciate her talents. She begins cleaning maggot goo off of her sword. "To answer your question, Aravashnial, it turns out that the spider was already dead and had three giant maggots chewing on its insides. When we approached to deal with the spider, they came bursting out." Blade clean (or as clean as it's going to get without water), she puts the soiled cloth away. The sword stays out though. Just in case.
"Right then, let's have a- er, investigate the area." Probably best to avoid common phrases that use the words 'look' or 'see' right now. "Hopefully we can find a way back to the surface."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Verene automatically reloads the crossbow but holds off on trying another shot while she might hit one of the others. Then, just like that, it's over, and she is distantly surprised by the ease with which the others dispatched the maggots. Her own reaction had been hair-trigger reflex, not thought, and it was solely luck that her crossbow had been there when she reached for it at all. Such inattention was a recipe for disaster, not only for herself but for others. Not that it matters. The thought is so cold it almost doesn't feel like her own. Not that any of this matters. You saw that pillar of fire where the Wardstone should have been you know what it means—
She shakes her head sharply and rouses from momentary abstraction. "...No more maggots. Well done, all. I would offer you a cleaning cantrip, Lady Elyda, but I didn't prepare one today." The aasimar is holding some sparkling objects. Her mind skips off what they are.
Horgus Gwerm seems to have discovered he still wants to live, a subject on which she had been in considerable doubt. She had feared he would have to be dragged bodily along with the group, but it seems he only needs to be reassured of the obvious fact that the people who just stood between him and danger to protect him will continue to do so.
She hopes Elliot can appease him for the moment, choosing instead to check over her crossbow and remaining quarrels, along with her well-worn backpack and its contents. Noticing Thesius's first set of colored lights beginning to fade from existence, she snaps her fingers and touches the crossbow with a muttered word, making it glow as bright and steady as a torch. She stocked up on lantern oil (for there's nothing worse than being in the middle of a difficult passage when one's spell-light expires), kitchen twine and Thamyris's favorite dried cherry-nut treats at the market today, but the lantern seems unnecessary, with so many people able to summon light. The waterskin she takes everywhere is intact and full, but she has no tools that might be of use for digging, clearing a blocked passage or climbing out of an underground tunnel; and no bedroll either, having only planned to visit the festival and the library today. All in all, it could be better, but it could be much worse.
Skirting the messy remains of the maggots and holding her breath to avoid the stomach-churning stench, she looks in the rubble of the cavern's opposite corner for the cold iron bolt that missed. She only carries twenty, and as of now there is no guarantee of being able to restock soon, or ever.
That done, she examines what she can see from the far wall in the light of her crossbow. After Merixia speaks, she agrees. "Yes, if everyone is able to move, we should try to find another way out. Even if we could leave this cavern the way we came in... I don't think we'd want to." Her voice is carrying and almost eerily calm.
She shakes her head sharply and rouses from momentary abstraction. "...No more maggots. Well done, all. I would offer you a cleaning cantrip, Lady Elyda, but I didn't prepare one today." The aasimar is holding some sparkling objects. Her mind skips off what they are.
Elyda's gaze lifted from the shiny objects in hand and thoughtfully settled on Verene; responding in still-lowered voice, "Please, call me Elyda. I am grateful for the offer, Verene. I've cleaned off the worst of it - and if people can accept the lingering smell, I can wait until we can find a safe place to wash the remaining foulness. Thank you," respectfully inclining her head to the lady wizard.
Thesius gives Verene a thankful smile as her light flares to life. He had forgot his own was about to expire, the bile taking his full attention.
“If someone wishes for assistance cleaning, I do have a cantrip for it. Surely I would have been most foul to walk along without it.”
Thesius will take the time to assist anyone that requests his services.
Verene nods back to Elyda and smiles at Thesius. "Of course. Thank you for taking it on yourself to protect everyone, Elyda." She spares a troubled glance at Horgus Gwerm, then shakes her head and continues what she was doing.
“If someone wishes for assistance cleaning, I do have a cantrip for it. Surely I would have been most foul to walk along without it.”
Thesius will take the time to assist anyone that requests his services.
Turning her gaze onto Thesius, she consented, keeping her voice low from the noble citizens' ears, "I would accept your offer, Thesius. Your magical cleansing will certain remove the foul smell which could inconvenience some as we proceed in our search for a way out. And, please do assist Merixia, for our brave cleric received two servings of the foul fluids. Thank you," giving the bard a small smile of gratitude.
"Of course, it's the least I can do for those that stood beside me in combat," he says with a smile before invoking his cantrip once more to clean the gore from Elyda.
Once done, he would turn to Merixia and offer his services more directly, "Merixia, would you care for my aid in removing the noxious substances that spewed forth from the maggots? I dare say I was quite covered in it and would not wish it's smell upon anyone."
Elliot looks a bit sheepishly when Elyda congratulates and thanks everyone. He hadn't exactly *done* anything except stand there and give Anevia his main weapon, after all, and saying he fought was a bit of a stretch. Then again, he'd offered to take care of the injured people with them himself, so there wasn't a real reason to complain.
Good thing he'd been preparing his backpack for the troupe's inter-city tour too, or he'd have been stuck down here without any supplies!
When Merixia mentions the surface again, his victory elation evaporates and he glances to the ceiling, eyes contorting in worry. What was happening up there while they were stuck here? Was his family same...? What about his fellow performers?
Zoned-out, he misses Aravashnial's question until the elder wizard tugs his hand, but said Tiefling fortunately answers for him. "It's like lady Merixia said, Master. How the maggots got here, inside the spider, I don't know. I hope there isn't some giant stingfly living around here that sees as as similar insect baby incubators. If I see them, I'll let you know."
He winces slightly at his poor choice of words but still asks the burning question on his mind. "By the way, Master, I know you are disoriented and in pain. But... do you know of some kind of spell that could help us find our way out? We're probably under the city in some kind of cave system."
Meanwhile, from the corner of his eye, he catches Elyda moving back towards some strange objects on the ground that he hadn't noticed yet. What were those, exactly...?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
This scale allows its bearer to hover up or down whilst on a cloud.
The second one allows one to change one's features, as the spell alter self
The third protects one from either electricity or cold.
Finally, the last one allows one to sanctify one's weapon to the causes of law or good, as might align weapon, but it may be used on a fist or claw as well as a manufactured weapon.
All four may be used thrice per day.
With all this information, there's a profound sense of melancholy and resolute determination.
Anevia nods at Thesius. "You seemed to handle the sword well. I've got four arrows left - if I could get a handful from you, I'd be much more useful." She grimaces at the thought of walking, but nods at Verene. "We're not going to do much here but rot."
Aravashnial sighs, his pale expression exasperated. "Well, at least you all seem to have handled the issue without trouble. Is anyone injured?"
"Not yet..." Horgus giggles, before shaking his head. "You will need my money when you get to the surface. 1000 gold to keep me alive until then. You will need me on your way, anyways." He seems certain of both these things, a slight edge of fear to his voice the only sign of anything else.
The elf wizard pauses, before dismissing the nobleman's words. "In answer to your question, Elliot, no. What few spells I do have prepared are not relevant to that." There's a definite bitterness to his tone there.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Of course, it's the least I can do for those that stood beside me in combat," he says with a smile before invoking his cantrip once more to clean the gore from Elyda.
The foulness from her person disappeared and Elyda felt more at ease. "You have my gratitude, Thesius."
====
Speaking as if within a dream; the knowledge appearing in a stream, in her mind, Elyda began to recite the words to her companions,
"They speak to me. These are dragon scales - Terendelev's legacy." Lifting the first shimmering scale in the air, she continued, "With this scale, the bearer may hover up or down whilst on a cloud." Placing it back in her palm and picking up another scale, she spoke again, "With this one, the bearer may change one's features," and she kept repeating the demonstration twice more, "This protects the bearer from electricity or cold, and this final scale allows the bearer to sanctify one's weapon, fist or claw to the causes of law or good. Each may be used thrice a day. Blessed boons upon her final breath. We must keep them safe. They will aid us in our endeavours."
Then Elyda grew quiet as the knowledge settled quietly in her mind - like a memory. She was in a state of awe. You have my gratitude for all you have done and given, great Terendelev. I am sorry you lost your life to save us all. I honour your bravery and sacrifice.
Recovering from the discovery of the scales and their powers, Elyda, after spying the cavern and its two tunnels, pointed to the path straight before her . "I think we should go down this path. What do you say?" she asked her companions.
==
"You will need my money when you get to the surface. 1000 gold to keep me alive until then. You will need me on your way, anyways." He seems certain of both these things, a slight edge of fear to his voice the only sign of anything else.
"A generous offer," Verene says calmly, before anyone can begin to protest that of course they will protect him and see him safely to the surface without compensation. She's met rich misanthropes like Horgus before, convinced that their money is all others care about. Never mind now that she very much doubts they or anyone else in Kenabres will care about having his gold, or that it will still be there for him to follow through on the promised payment, if and when they reach the surface at all. If he needs the security of the bargain, the bargain he shall have. "We'll take it, on one condition: you must cooperate to the best of your ability with our instructions until we get you to safety. Of course, we wouldn't ask you to place yourself in danger, since without you, we won't get paid. Do we have a deal?"
***
As Elyda explains the function of the scales, Verene looks on silently, her face set. Though she doesn't doubt Elyda's certainty, exactly, she doesn't want to touch them herself to verify what she said. She mutters a word and examines the scales for a time with her arcane sight.
With no particular preference about their path, she follows the group down the tunnel Elyda indicated.
Thesius gags a bit as a waft of the bile crosses his nostrils. He's glad he was able to remove it from his being, but the nausea he felt upon being covered in it was still fresh in his mind.
He takes a moment to clear his head before handing over three fourths of his arrows over to Anevia. "Here, take the majority. It makes sense for you to support us from the rear with your leg. I will keep a couple in case we need multiple people with bows."
His eyes moisten as events that have occurred start to come more to the forefront of his mind with the mention of the scales. The immediate danger seeming to have been diverted for the time being. With a deep breath he steadies himself before taking a look at their choices of departure.
Horgus looks at Verene before chuckling darkly. "Of course. But you will want to listen to me. I know much."
Aravashnial leans on his staff, sagging slightly. "I suppose that means Terendelev is truly dead. Magic like that doesn't come to simple scales lost in battle. Dammit." He pauses, sighing. "I recommend that we move forwards as follows: Either Merixia or Elyda in front, Thesius, Anevia, and Horgus in the middle, and myself, Elliot, and Verene in the back, followed by either Merixia or Elyda. That way, we have a warrior in front, a warrior behind, and adaptable members in the middle."
Anevia offers Thesius a wan smile. "No, I'll only take half - you need some too, and I'm not exactly in peak condition anyways." She does as she says she will, returning a fourth of his arrows to him.
Additionally, with his keen elven hearing and sense of awareness, Thesius hears soft scuttling sounds coming from the northernmost pathway - it sounds vaguely like insects.
Anevia casts a glance down the cavernous pathways. "I'd prefer to go down whichever one isn't hard to walk on. Normally, I'd volunteer to scout ahead, but I can't see in the dark worth a damn, and my leg isn't going to let me move with anywhere near my normal skill."
Not wishing to make Aravashnial feel any worse than he already is and finding the advice sound, Thesius agrees, "The advice on positioning sounds like a good plan to me. Unfortunately I know little of where we are, but I will say that it sounds like there is something insectoid moving in that direction." He points towards path 1 as he gives his warning. "I could send lights ahead to light the way, but I do fear it will alert things of presence sooner than we may like."
Aravashnial leans on his staff, sagging slightly. "I suppose that means Terendelev is truly dead. Magic like that doesn't come to simple scales lost in battle. Dammit." He pauses, sighing. "I recommend that we move forwards as follows: Either Merixia or Elyda in front, Thesius, Anevia, and Horgus in the middle, and myself, Elliot, and Verene in the back, followed by either Merixia or Elyda. That way, we have a warrior in front, a warrior behind, and adaptable members in the middle."
"I'd recommend we follow up on my teacher's advice. It speaks of wisdom tampered by age. And I wouldn't like our rear members being flanked by something coming out of the path we don't enter." Elliot says, realizing how down his master had to be. And to lose his sight too... perhaps he was at breaking point, and hopefully some excess flattery helped out a bit.
"Actually... I don't know where these caves go either, Thasius, but maybe there's some good news," he slowly continues, guiding his blind master after Elyda into one of the paths. "There are rumors of the first cursaders. How their children tended to be either Tieflings or strange crosses between animal and beast. This was seen as abyssal taint, and it is said the parents fled into caverns underneath the city to protect their offspring from other crusaders - their own former allies."
He grimaces at the notion. "If there is some truth to these rumors, we might find some allies here in supposedly these sme caves. Maybe even someone who could heal Master's eyes or Anevia's leg. I say we hold out hope and look for them. "
Once done, he would turn to Merixia and offer his services more directly, "Merixia, would you care for my aid in removing the noxious substances that spewed forth from the maggots? I dare say I was quite covered in it and would not wish it's smell upon anyone."
"I would appreciate that, Thesius." Merixia stands still while the half-elf's magic washes over her, leaving her body, clothes, and belongings sparkling clean.
"They speak to me. These are dragon scales - Terendelev's legacy." Lifting the first shimmering scale in the air, she continued, "With this scale, the bearer may hover up or down whilst on a cloud." Placing it back in her palm and picking up another scale, she spoke again, "With this one, the bearer may change one's features," and she kept repeating the demonstration twice more, "This protects the bearer from electricity or cold, and this final scale allows the bearer to sanctify one's weapon, fist or claw to the causes of law or good. Each may be used thrice a day. Blessed boons upon her final breath. We must keep them safe. They will aid us in our endeavours."
"Gods. I... I guess it's official, then. She really is dead." Merixia bows her head. "Rest in peace, Terendelev. We shall honor your valor and your sacrifice. May Pharasma guard your soul on its way to Heaven." The silver dragon has guarded Kenabres for so long... it's frightening that such a powerful being was defeated so easily.
Taking a deep breath, the cleric raises her head again. "Well. We should make use of her last gifts. I could use the last scale, the one that sanctifies a weapon. Want to flip a coin for it, Elyda? You could probably use it just as much."
Not wishing to make Aravashnial feel any worse than he already is and finding the advice sound, Thesius agrees, "The advice on positioning sounds like a good plan to me. Unfortunately I know little of where we are, but I will say that it sounds like there is something insectoid moving in that direction." He points towards path 1 as he gives his warning. "I could send lights ahead to light the way, but I do fear it will alert things of presence sooner than we may like."
Merixia nods at Thesius' words. "I agree as well, Aravashnial. If it's all right with Elyda, I'll take the front, since I have heavier armor. As for which path we take, it's all the same to me. Just because nobody hears anything down the second path doesn't mean it's safe." She shrugs with a clink of scale mail.
"At least bugs aren't intelligent enough to plan." Anevia offers, falling into line with Thesius and Horgus.
"Danger and opportunity, injury and profit..." Horgus says, a tremble of laughter in his voice. "But which is which? Is either both?"
"Hm... I don't hear anything..." Aravashnial muses as Elliot guides him forwards. At the mention of the mutated children, he brightens. "Ah, yes, the underfolk, the deeplings. I've reason to believe that they may still be alive."
"You have reason to believe many things that are blatantly untrue, you madman." The nobleman mutters bitterly, sounding almost coherent for once. The elf wizard refuses to dignify that with a comment.
As Merixia approaches the entrance to the northern path, she sees that it opens into a small cavern - within, she sees the cold remains of a campfire, as well as a torn bedroll. Just beyond the campfire lies a pile of trash, broken equipment - as well as bones. Further in, she sees that the cavern narrows down once more, and turns out of sight.
"Good. Knowledge is valuable, and I will listen to your words, Lord Horgus," Verene says, with perfect honesty. She doesn't promise to act on them.
Verene closes her eyes for a moment, picturing Kenabres in her mind. "What parts of the city could these tunnels possibly link up to that would lead us back to the surface? Most of Kenabres is east of the cathedral, but the only underground places I can think of are the crypts at the Hall of Heroes. It's not far due east, and slightly north, of the plaza where we were. There is no guarantee this cave system connects to anything there, but it's something to keep in mind and perhaps move toward if we have the choice.
"It also seems three of us at least have heard tales of certain First Crusaders fleeing to underground tunnels beneath Kenabres due to fearing for the lives of their children, born with a mix of human and bestial features. That was many decades ago, but if the caverns are real, perhaps their rumored inhabitants are too. I would not assume their friendliness toward representatives of the society that supposedly cast them out, but at this point, we need any help we can get. Discovering them, if they are anything short of actively hostile, would be an astonishing stroke of luck. Have you heard anything specific about them, Master Aravashnial?"
Upon hearing Horgus's imprecation to Aravashnial, Verene says firmly, "No personal insults, please, Lord Horgus. And remember, you just agreed to obey non-dangerous instructions."
***
"Thesius, I heard something skittering from that path too. But I'll follow where the more capable warriors lead." She stops talking and moves out behind Merixia when they go, readying her crossbow to shoot any hostile thing that comes in sight of its light, and following Aravashnial's suggestion about placing herself somewhere in the middle.
"Gods. I... I guess it's official, then. She really is dead." Merixia bows her head. "Rest in peace, Terendelev. We shall honor your valor and your sacrifice. May Pharasma guard your soul on its way to Heaven."
Elliot briefly stops walking and closes his eyes, making a prayer sign to Sarenrae. "Well spoken. She said she saw great potential in us before she died... I hope that is true, and that we can continue the fight in her stead."
He looks at the remaining scales held by Elyda. "I wish I could use the scales on others to support you all from the back, but it seems their specific powers can only be used on oneself. In that case, I'll take the one which allows flight. Maybe I could cast some spells from the air."
Unless anyone objects, he then takes and pockets Terendelev's Levitation+ scale.
"I agree as well, Aravashnial. If it's all right with Elyda, I'll take the front, since I have heavier armor."
Elliot nods in thanks to Thasius and Merixia for their support at cheering up his teacher. "Be careful, all right, Merixia? You're seemingly both one of our warriors and our main source of healing. We can't afford anything happening to you."
Continuing his trek after the frontline, he overhears Horgus. "Sorry, Lord Gwerm? What do you mean? You can't make a distinction between injury and profit? I, ah, don't see how they're that similar?"
"I agree as well, Aravashnial. If it's all right with Elyda, I'll take the front, since I have heavier armor. As for which path we take, it's all the same to me. Just because nobody hears anything down the second path doesn't mean it's safe." She shrugs with a clink of scale mail.
Elyda had her own thoughts on the matter, yet if Merixia wished to lead them forward, then she would not hinder her desire. "I will protect the rear." The protection of the group is imperative , and, what matters, for we do not know what lies below nor what awaits above. Blessed Iomedae, guide my hand and heart in my endeavours.
Elyda listened to each companion and handed the scale bestowing flight to Elliot, the scale that transforms features to Thesius and then moved to Verene, and spoke quietly, "One of my race has some ability to protect themselves from cold and electricity. As you are human, I believe this is better suited as a boon for you, Verene. A small part of Terendelev to protect us after her sacrifice. Please, hold onto it, keep it safe, and make use of its power if it is warranted."
"Well. We should make use of her last gifts. I could use the last scale, the one that sanctifies a weapon. Want to flip a coin for it, Elyda? You could probably use it just as much."
Looking to Merixia, her pale blue eyes weighing the merits of allocating the final scale, Elyda merely added, "We can share this dragon scale, for we both can avail ourselves of its divine boon. Since you wish you lead us through the cavern this day, then you should hold it and have its power at your side. Tomorrow, it will be in my safekeeping and so forth. It is the fair way." She handed the shimmering scale to Merixia.
Then drawing her blade, Elyda moved to the back of the party as they embarked forward to find a way through and out.
With sword in hand, Elyda cast her eyes before and behind her, also listening for any sign of threat.
After Elyda turns away, she hears, even more softly, "Thank you." It's not clear if Verene is speaking to her.
Thesius takes up behind Merixia after taking the offered scale and placing it in his backpack. He would keep his sword at the ready as they moved, wanting to be ready to step up and help should it be necessary.
Looking to Merixia, her pale blue eyes weighing the merits of allocating the final scale, Elyda merely added, "We can share this dragon scale, for we both can avail ourselves of its divine boon. Since you wish you lead us through the cavern this day, then you should hold it and have its power at your side. Tomorrow, it will be in my safekeeping and so forth. It is the fair way." She handed the shimmering scale to Merixia.
Merixia flushes with embarrassment, tucking the scale safely away in her bandolier. "Why didn't I think of that?", she mutters to herself. Raising her voice back to a normal level, she adds "Good idea, Elyda."
As Merixia approaches the entrance to the northern path, she sees that it opens into a small cavern - within, she sees the cold remains of a campfire, as well as a torn bedroll. Just beyond the campfire lies a pile of trash, broken equipment - as well as bones. Further in, she sees that the cavern narrows down once more, and turns out of sight.
"Somebody's been here before us. There's a campsite with a bedroll, some trash... bones. I don't see any enemies yet." The cleric moves toward the campsite, sword and buckler at the ready.
Aravashnial considers Verene's question. "Hm, not specific, no. They may be allies to the Crusades, or they may have been corrupted by their Abyssal heritage. It's impossible to know at the moment. They might just want to be left alone. Given how little we've seen of them in the years since the end of the First Crusade, it's likely that it's the last of those, because otherwise there'd be more reports of them."
Horgus' only response to both Verene's admonition and Elliot's question is another bout of laughter, though his back remains turned to both.
Merixia approaches the campsite carefully, and upon reaching the entrance of the small cave, she spies the trash pile shifting and squirming, just in time for her to ready herself as two unnaturally large insects emerge.
Verene, though she hears the skittering grow louder, is in no position to fire her crossbow.
"Giant cockroaches! Two of them!" Merixia charges into the cave, hugging the northern wall to make room for the people behind her, and swings at one of the foul insects.
Thesius steps up behind Merixia’s charge and casts dancing lights into the room to give those without darkvision a better view of what they were facing.
Too late, Verene realizes that she won't be able to shoot at anything through her friends' bodies, and should have given their light to Merixia, in front. "Sorry, Thesius, Anevia, I should have thought to give someone else the light. Let me through for a second?" She squeezes by them and moves to directly west of Merixia, illuminating the second small cavern.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Merixia moves swiftly forwards, cutting one of the cockroaches and chopping off a significant chunk of its chitinous exterior. It hisses as the blood arcs through the air from her blow.
Verene moves forwards, bringing light into the cavernous opening, even as Thesius simultaneously summons yet more - the room is now as brightly lit as a tavern might be.
Aravashnial stops dead, his staff scraping against the floor. "I trust you will be able to handle them." He says to the five.
Anevia, for her part, steps forwards and fires an arrow at the cockroach that remains unengaged . The shot leaps from her bow and slams it squarely in the head, but she jerks slightly as she puts too much weight on her broken leg and nearly topples. The barest hint of a shriek escapes through clenched teeth.
For its part, the cockroach drops sharply to the ground as fluids slowly begin to drain from its pierced skull.
"In the end, they will stand on their own. They must." Horgus mutters darkly. A slow, menacing laugh erupts from his lips.
"Be careful, everyone! We can't-!" '-see anthing' he'd have gone on, but stops himself before making his master feel even worse. "-cast spells around the corner!"
Even as Elliot cries out his (belated) warning, the sole surviving roach launches itself at Merixia, who only just gets her shield up in time to deflect the flying creature... which promptly bounces off and crashes to the ground, its vital essences slowly leaking onto the ground.
With that, the cave falls silent, but for Anevia's pained breathing and soft whimpers.
Thesius checks in with Anevia to make sure she is okay. "Is there something I can do to help?"
Anevia slowly uses her crutch to rise to her feet. "No, I don't think so. I just... pushed myself a little too hard with that. I'm going to stay a little further out of combat - I'm just not up to holding my own. If I can help, I will, but..." She sighs.