Realizing how much higher the water comes up on Evert she stops and squats down, "Here Evert, climb up on my back. I don't like how high up on you that water gets."
"If...you're certain," the halfling responds, climbing onto Kelda's back. "Let's just make this quick."
As you proceed, you see the cave split into three paths. One slopes up out of the water, another stay about the same level and the last slopes downward. You can hear the rush of water from down the path sloping down, so you surmise it goes down quite a way.
"If they picked the lower path, our chances of finding him alive are slim." Lysithia says, trying to keep her emotions compartmentalized. "If the creature that took him were bigger, this water level wouldn't be a problem for them, let's continue on this level, then try the upper passage if this doesn't go anywhere." she says leading them forward.
Having already removed her hammer from its resting place on her back, Kelda waits until Evert is settled on her back, before following behind Lysithia and Tori, "Of course I'm sure. Carrying you is not a problem, and I feel better with you up there and out of the water." She says as they continue on the same path. Kelda keeps her concerns of the child's safety to herself, as she prays silently to Torag that they are able to find him, and bring him home safely.
You follow the level path and the tunnel widens a bit. You are not entirely sure, but you think you hear the sound of something else moving in water.
Everyone but Kelda sees three oozy forms moving through the water some distance (about 45 feet) away. Lysithia notices that there are bones of tiny creatures littering the floor of the tunnel under the water.
"Whatever those ooze things are, I think they're the reason for the bones all over the floor!" Lysithia says apprehensively
Kelda looks around with a confused expression on her face, "What ooze?"
"There!" Lysithia says, pointing to the odd moving forms.
Kelda looks where Lysithia points and nods, "Oh, well...I think we should go back then. If those things are here, they probably didn't come this way. She says, while turning to go back the way they had come.
Lysithia quickly scans the water for any signs of humanoid remains. If the creatures that took the poy came this way, they would have either killed these things or fallen prey to them.
Lysithia does not see anything larger than the bones of tiny vermin in the water.
Astoria whispers the the others as they explore. "There's some kind of ooze in the water, please be careful."
Kelda shakes her head, not moving any further forward towards the yucky looking things in the water, "I really don't think they would have come this way with these things here. We should go back the other way. These things aren't going anywhere, but that little boy needs us to find him....as soon as possible." Kelda says softly as she starts to slowly back up, not wanting to turn her back on the vile creatures.
Looking at her love she calls to her quietly, "Come on Lysi, we should listen to Tori and leave those things alone."
"It looks like none of the bones belong to anything bigger than vermin, so they definitely didn't fall here." Lysithia says as they work their way back down the tunnel to select the path that slopes upward.
Once the group reaches enough dry land for everyone, Evert requests to be put down.
Kelda kneels so that Evert can climb down. Once he's back on his own feet, Kelda stands back up.
Kelda looks over at Lysithia after letting Evert down, "I'm glad you didn't find any signs of them in that water. I just hope we find him in time to save him." She says, worry etched on her face as she thinks about all the things that could happen to him.
Moving forward, you find yourself in a large chamber of the cave. There is a cold fire pit and some foul-smelling bedding in the middle of the room. The left wall is littered with crates, barrels and jars. There is a tunnel continuing straight ahead and one that veers to the right.
Evert looks around for any clues.
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"This definitely looks like someone's been camping here." Lysithia whispers, looking around carefully.
Not having been much use in the searching of things, Kelda looks around the barrels and crates half heartedly.
Only Lysithia and Kelda catch the glint of something's eyes as it leaps out from behind the boxes to startle the group. A muscular, hairy creature with a goblin-like face twirls its weapon as it approaches.
Initiative:
Roll-off:
Surprise Round: Lysithia, Astoria, Enemy, Kelda, Evert
Lysithia quickly shifts into a fighting stance, uttering a druidic incantation to awaken the latent power of a mighty oak in her staff.
The bestial foe looks at the group, focuses its gaze on Kelda and lets out a fearsome roar.
Surprise Round: Lysithia, Astoria, Enemy, Kelda, Evert
Caught off guard by the extremely ugly creature, Kelda takes an involuntary step back as it roars at her.
Visibly shaken, Kelda tries to reign in her fear as she tries to focus on the task at hand.
She takes a few seconds to breath and collect herself before intoning a prayer for guidance and victory over their enemy.