The cold touch of stone against your face is the first sensation that reaches your mind. Your body aches, pain pulsing through your limbs. Not terrible, yet everywhere. Opening your eyes your vision is met by darkness. Daring to move your body, you feel the weight a top you shift and rocks begin to clatter down. Moving slightly more, you find you are able to withdraw yourself from under the stonework collapsed upon you.
As you begin to find your faculties, your thoughts flash back to the moments before...
Armasse officially began at noon, with the blessing of the festival by Lord Hulrun himself, ruler of Kenabres. The crowd gathered in Clydwell Plaza quieted as the aged inquisitor took the stage, clad in shining, resplendent armor. He cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a bright light shone from the west, as if the sun were rising from the wrong direction. Hulrun’s shadow fell huge and distorted across the cathedral’s facade. A moment later, the sound of a thunderous explosion ripped through the air and earth, along with a violent tremor.
To the west, the fortress known as the Kite—the location of Kenabres’s wardstone—had vanished. In its place, a brilliant plume of red fire, lightning, and smoke erupted into the heavens.
A moment later, a powerful roar accompanied a welcome sight rising from the crowd—Kenabres’s greatest guardian, the ancient silver dragon Terendelev, who had until that moment been attending the opening ceremony disguised as a human. Above, another form appeared, as nightmarish as the dragon was breathtaking. A humanoid shape three times the size of any man, with skin coated in fire and lightning, gripped a flaming sword and whip. The creature’s identity was immediately obvious: Khorramzadeh, the Storm King of the Worldwound, had come to Kenabres!
As the ground continued to shake and disgorge demons into the streets, the dragon and the balor lord clashed above. The fight was over in a few harrowing moments, as the balor cut deep into Terendelev’s body, swooping down to strike the dragon and arresting her charge. A few more blows, and the titanic duo spiraled downward toward the crowd.
The sight of the dragon smashing into the facade of the Cathedral of St. Clydwell is one no witness would ever forget. At that moment, a titanic demon erupted at the far end of the plaza, reducing several buildings to ruins as it smashed into this world. The rift it created shot across the plaza, and this time there was no escape—it opened below your feet, angling away into darkness.
Even as you fell, the dragon noticed your plight. Though she saw death standing over her, she seized this final chance to save a few more souls. After she uttered a few arcane words and stretched out a bleeding talon, you felt her magic take hold of you, slowing your plummet into the darkness as if you were feathers falling into a pit. Yet the fall remained as inexorable, and as you drifted downward into the depths, the last thing you saw was the Storm King standing before the ancient silver dragon, his sword lashing out and cleaving full through her neck. As her severed head fell, the rift above you slammed shut, and the light of the world above was gone.
Even with your ability to see in near darkness, you find it difficult to make out much of your surroundings. A few hints of light are muffled by clouds of dust and smoke that dance in the air. Mountains of collapsed rubble are scattered across a cavern, and a few figures struggle to wake and find their bearing, similar to yourself.
Your eyes adjust to the darkness, though your vision is still clouded by smoke and dust. Struggling to your feet, you spot perhaps ten individuals in a similar state to yourself, though note plenty of other bodies far more buried under the rubble, no chance of life remaining in their forms.
As you dust yourselves off, you take stock of your situation, you notice that the wall of rubble behind you contains numerous examples of how close you came to death. Here and there, bodies are mixed with the rubble—citizens of Kenabres whom the dragon could not save. Not all of these victims perished, though. You see signs of movement and hear the coughing of others.
She came to slowly, muttering for her brother to get off of her. He didn't, and the cold stone slowly drew her attention. Something wasn't right. Her eyes opened to darkness, and a bit of panic began to set in. What was going on? Why did everything hurt? She shifted carefully on the hard ground, feeling a rock moving above her. Bracing herself against the ground, she wiggled her way out from under it, letting it fall to the ground with a thud. Rolling over to lay on her back and stare up at the dust-filled cavern, it all came rushing back.
Her eyes flicked around her surroundings as she began to panic. Th-They hadn't been with her, they'd been doing business. Were they okay? Pushing herself in an attempt to stand, her legs failed her once, before managing to get on her feet. Her eyes landed on one of the broken bodies nearby, and she nearly lost it then and there. Th-They had to be dead. Crushed under the rubble like so many others. Why hadn't they moved after Mom died? Stupid, stupid stupid.
Stifling a sob, her eyes turned to her surroundings, to the people still alive. She began to shift the stones around, began to search for her things. Th-There was work to be done. Fall back onto what she knew. Focus on what she could do. Don't fall apart just yet. At least... get out of this cavern, so you can die with the sun on your face.
"Owie owie owie" Nicolette thinks to herself at the pain pulsing through her limbs. At the same time, she is diagnosing, wondering how this all came to be. "Where am I? This isn't home or bed? Stone? It's dark..."
Suddenly, thoughts of previous anguish and horror return to her. "That wasn't a dream?" Between Khorramzadeh, Terendelev, erupting demons and the hole beneath her, she had assumed she was drugged or under the effects of an illusionary spell, but now, it didn't seem so far-fetched.
A groan is heard from her as she grows in alertness to her plight, but the world around her remains dark. Slowly she will shift the rubble off of herself and will feel her own body for any signs of broken injuries.
"I think I'm okay...," she ponders. With careful hands, she wipes the dust free from herself and cautiously stands stooping.
"Hello?" she asks blindly. Her voice initially so weak that it is almost unheard in the shifting darkness. Then louder, "Is there anyone here?" There is the sound of shuffling. "I'm not alone...now I remember, there were others falling with me...like feathers? That must have been magic." Then in a still, small voice, she comments, "I'm so blind..." "Is anyone hurt?" "Yeah...you, you dummy..."
His body aching and blood dripping down his left arm from an unknown wound, Callen comes to consciousness trapped between several large stones. Reaching into his pocket, he draws forth a bandage and wraps his left forearm before trying to determine how best the free himself from the stones he is wedged between. With a push up and to the side, he slides his chest free and manages to brace his back against one of the stones and his knees against the other.
'Where am I, what just-' suddenly, he remembers everything that had befallen only moments before. The assault on Kenabres, the explosion of the Kite, the fall of Terendelev. 'How? How could they do all this? How could they breach the Wardstone so completely? How did none of the protections raise even a single alarm?'
Shaking his head, Callen comes back to the present moment, still braced between the two stones up high above the room he can only sense below. Drawing forth a small mace, he utters a simple prayer causing the head of the weapon to glow with the warm radiant light of the Inheritor. Hearing a voice call out, he cautiously calls back as he looks down in it's direction. Speaking in a low rasp, "Hello? I'm up here! Let me find a way down..." His words trail off as he begins to descend the stone outcrop he is stuck upon.
Kevin shakes his head to clear the cobwebs from it and then he remembers what happened. Shivering he says a silent prayer to Sarenrae for the fall dragon that saved him and these others. He stands and hears stone fall off of him as he does so and nearly tumbles from the uneven pile he is in. Hearing a voice he says "You are not alone. You may not be able to see but I can. There are about ten of us who may still be alive and many more who are not. Be careful as you stand these rocks are unsteady. I will come and help who I can but I have no light source for you." He then turns and looks at the pile to determine who is the closest to him for him to help stand and help get out of the pile.
Joska comes back to consciousness confused and unable to see. She quickly realizes she fell some distance; her body tells her that much, but her head has to clear a bit before she can begin to piece to together why. She remains quiet and begins to test for injuries, slowly moving her extremities and working inward toward her core.
Bruises, but nothing more. We fell so slowly...
It seems very dreamlike as she remembers pieces, the dragon and demon grappling, new chasms opening to swallow buildings. But she pretty sure it happened because she's now actually where the end of those pieces would sensibly place her.
By the time she sits up she hers a voice explaining just enough, a number of people among rocks underground, for her to be sure what she thinks happened did. Next comes an equipment check. Nothing seems damaged after a quick tactile inspection. Everything is still in place too, with the exception of her shield, which is within reach.
At that point someone up higher produces a light, a magical one. Fortunately Joska had grabbed her pack on the way out the door that morning. It was still packed from her last trip outside the city. It had seemed too much trouble to bother taking anything out, since the pack wasn't heavy after all.
She takes it from her back and digs out a torch, which she lights with her flint and steel. As the fire takes it doubles the lighting and better reveals her and the others' circumstances. Joska stands up to have a better look around and asks "Is there anyone trapped by stone or too injured to move?"
Looking down from his perch as he prepares to make his way to the chamber floor, Callen tries to see through the dust and smoke to identify those who are here with him.
She could hear the voices around her, other people coming to and beginning to coalesce. Could they see her? Was she just going to be forgotten in this mess? Where was her pack? She'd been planning on going to grab some herbs after the festival... Falling back to a kneeling position, she covered her face with her hands. Did she have nothing more than her armor down here? Trying to reach out and search some more, she felt something snag on her back.
... She was wearing her pack. Everything had been on her this entire time. A shuddering bit of laughter escaped her. You're really losing it, aren't you Missy? Getting herself free of the snag, she shakily pushed herself to her feet. Her hand went to her shield, and a simple bit of magic came to her. A light spell, causing the shield to glow, illuminating the swirling clouds of dust and smoke around her. "I-I'm f-fine!"
Looking about the now partially lit chamber, it is a vast open space, that appears to be a natural cavern, with a massive pile of rubble from the collapsed city above. Scattered amidst the broken stone are signs of the fallen, limbs twisted in unnatural directions. Through the dust and smoke, you spot several figures moving slowly, no doubt the source of the voices speaking.
Suddenly, cutting through the confusion, you hear a loud, panicked yell. "HEEEEELP! HEEEEELP ME! I AM BEING CRUSHED! PLEASE, HEEEEELP! OVER HERE, QUICKLY!?!?" The panicked voice comes from a shadowed figure on his back near the base of the large pile of rubble.
Joska prepares to attend to the shouting person, but since the elf is close she stops by him first. She prepares to help him up into a sitting position but first asks "Can you move? I will help you sit up."
Kevin hears the cry for help and shouts "I'm on my way! Keep speaking so I can find you amid the dust." Kevin then walks to the man and asses the rocks on and around him. "Hold still while I take a look here. You don't want to bring more of these down on you."
Meraati slowly woke up, a dizziness playing with her head.
What happened.....
It then slowly comes back to her. The troupe putting away their instruments, near the gathering of the speech.
She recalls heading over separately due to having cleaned up already.
A quick "See you in ten minutes, i'll be over there by the flag!", was the last she got to say to her friends and parents, before pandemonium happened.
She frowns in half denial, wishing it to be a bad dream, but knows it not to be so. Pushing away the soft rubble half covering her, she stands up and dusts herself off. Some soft coughing and voices got her attention.
Casting light on one of her earrings, she starts looking for the other survivors.
upon waking up, Amelia all but freezes up, almost unaware of her immedeate surroundings. Her mind flashes back to the dragons death throes, the monstrosity she saw strike it low.
no. nononono. This.. this is some dream right? Magic? I with if uncle i-.. no. Settle... settle... Uncle is strong, a lot stronger than most... I'm sure he is fine. If.. If I'm fine, I'm sure he made it somehow.. I bet the knights already took care of it.. there is -no- demon stomping around above our heads. Why, maybe some clerics were able to heal the dragon.
After spending several minutes talking herself out of a panic, she finally notices that, no, her eyes aren't closed.
Oh.. silly me.
She then brings out her Ioun torch and lets it begin floating around her head as it sheds bright light around her.
Thats betterrr..... Her sentences trails off as she takes in her surroundings. Did they fall into the underdark?? She gulps.
her musing is interrupted by the voices of others. At which her hopes raise. She notices that many of her books and papers have been scattered about her and goes to hurriedly pick them up and place them back into her pack. Finally, she manages to make her way over to where the voices are coming from.
Uhm.. hi. Are, are you all okay? I, um. Can I help in anyway?
With the light produced, Nicolette heaves a sigh of relief. That relief is short-lived as she can see around her the devastation of what befell those who did not get saved.
"Oh my gosh..." she whispers under her breath. The dust still obscures everything, but she wonders what the total body count will be? Soon, she can begin to see other people standing: Joska, Kevin, Meraati, Missy, and Callen to name a few. In that moment, she mutters a thanks to Callen.
"Thank you for your well-timed light source..."
He will see a rather pretty half-elf, though his eyes would perceive her as fully human with some fae heritage perhaps further back in her line. She is tall and thin. Her fair skin would be covered more in the scratches from falling debris if it were not for her quilted battledress and her lamellar cuirass. Still, her face bears the sign of fresh blood and an impact mark. There is a grey patterning of fresh dust coating her rich oak hair and clothes.
Even before he can fully gauge where the other voices are calling out for help from, she is pulling out her healers kit from her pack. On her way over to the one calling out for help, she keeps a mental tab on who needs help and what the priority should be. Many, unfortunately, are clearly dead.
"No...do not move them!" she warns, seeing others rush the victim. "Please...let me check them first. I can use someone strong to help me pull them out quickly if they are able to be moved."
Nicolette will try to find and then observe whether this person is capable of being moved and makes sure they aren't a demon or something. If safe to approach, the medic will scan the person's body for immediate dangers that need to be addressed and then will see if her spine is intact or if there are any wounds that the rubble upon them is compressing that would worsen if they remove it.
Making his way down from the precipice where he had landed, Callen finds the woman with the leg trapped under the rubble. "There now, it's okay. Let me see if I can help. If I can lift it, do you think you can slide out? Good. But first, bite down on this." Callen pulls out a small wooden dowel and hands it to the woman. if there is a bad wound under there moving this could make it worse... But if not, she could die here...
Squatting down, he braces himself against the column. Hoping this goes well, Callen uses his strength to try and move the stone.
[Ooc](assuming he is able to free her from the stone)[ooc] "Glad you are free, now let's look to this leg. I am Callen, by the way."
Her eyes scanned the people moving about to try and help the survivors. She... she should be doing that. She should be helping. They should all at least be able to see the damn sun one last time. Or maybe it'd be better to just die down here, entombed by the stone. Made it less likely a demon would steal their souls... Instinct won out over despair, and her feet carried her forward. She recognized a few faces in the crowd, Callen, it was good he was alive. A couple of warriors, they'd be important... In the end, she went to help Joska, since she didn't think the woman had any ability in healing.
"D-Don't worry, I'm here to help." She said as she stumbled to a stop next to Joska, crouching down by the unconscious elf to begin checking him over properly. That burn looked bad, did she have any ointment in her pack... Was it any good after the fall? God, she hoped.
"HEEEEELP! I AM BEING CRUSHED!! I CAN'T BREATHE! HEEEEELP MEEE!"
His darkvision granting him superior sight in the darkness, Kevin is the first to make it to the man calling out. At the base of the rubble lies a somewhat portly, older man in perhaps his late 40's. Though dirty and torn, he is dressed in the finery of a nobleman. As Kevin moves the pile of rubble crushing him, he realizes it is little more than a broken light wooden frame, as might be displayed outside a tavern. Lifting it easily, the man reaches up and grabs Kevin's arm, expectantly letting Kevin help him to his feet.
"Finally, thank you. I was about to die, your arrival is most fortuitous." Hearing Nicolette calling out that she is coming to offer medical aid, the man continues. "Why yes, I surely have lost a great deal of blood and have broken bones. No doubt you will get me on the mend, as would be-"
With Nicolette beginning her exam (his wounds are only superficial) and Amelia approaching throwing forward further light, he gets a glimpse at his rescuer Kevin. He pulls back suddenly, a look of terror and revulsion on his face upon seeing Kevin's form. "What is this?! A demonspawn comes to slay me!? One of you, dispatch this foul beast of the Abyss! Do it now, protect us all!"
Meraati is just approaching the central commotion when she hears the man crying out about the 'demonspawn'.
----
Across the chamber, Joska notices the petite halfling woman suddenly at her side, tending to the fallen elf's horrific wound. With her ministrations and the support of the warrior, the elf slowly begins to come to and sits up, accepting Joska's assistance. He instinctively tries to look around before reaching up and feeling the bandages over his face. The slim, pale skinned elf is garbed in the robes of a scholar or arcanist, his blonde hair falling loosely on his shoulders. Weakly, he opens his mouth and speaks, barely above a whisper. "Thank you. So, it really happened..." His words moreso trail off as a lost thought rather than a question.
----
Tucked in a corner with limited view to the others, Callen manages to move the stone pillar enough for the woman to pull out her leg. Wincing and biting down hard on the wooden stick, she allows Callen to split her leg, a piece of debris nearby serving to stabilize the limb. Looking up at the diminutive man, she shows a brief look of surprise before a smile of sincerity crosses her lips. "Thank you Callen. I am Anevia. I hear voices, are there other survivors?"
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Kevin laughs at the man as he calls for his death, "While my appearance may be unorthodox, I am no demon and not here to slay you. If I was I would have my sword out," he taps his scimitar, "and would have cut your head off while you were under that light frame. My name is Kevin Hurly, servant of Sarenrae." He shows his holy symbol to him but does step back for the man's own comfort.
What is this?! A demonspawn comes to slay me!? One of you, dispatch this foul beast of the Abyss! Do it now, protect us all!"
Meraati pinches the bridge of her nose.
We survive a fall, and of all kinds of people, it's one of -those- we almost immediately run into
She activates her sleeves of many garments, changing her on-the-road attire to a more stylish red and warm orange, kind of aristocratic dress. In the least, something suggesting she'd be of proper upbringing and etiquette.
That's more like it.
Taking a walking pace she'd seen the wealthy women take within the city, she calmly approaches Kevin and the screaming man. She folds her hands in front of her for a more reserved impression.
(insert charming French accent)
"Now, now, sir. Surely you are mistaken.", she lets some of her hair fall over the lighted earring, to not blind the man to her own appearance.
"I can understand, given circumstances, the mind can play tricks upon someone's psyche. Severe fright can do that to a traumatized person's mind." She pauses briefly. "However, good sir, this man here is not of the sort you mistake him for. Observe, if you will, this man's attire, his build, is not at all like the demons that attacked the city."
"After all, actual demons would not have aided you. This man and i both have had no saying in who or what lies within the ancestral tree, we are merely the recipents of some unfortunate twist of fate."
"If misconceptions are out of the way, by what name should we address you?"
Across the chamber, Joska notices the petite halfling woman suddenly at her side, tending to the fallen elf's horrific wound. With her ministrations and the support of the warrior, the elf slowly begins to come to and sits up, accepting Joska's assistance. He instinctively tries to look around before reaching up and feeling the bandages over his face. The slim, pale skinned elf is garbed in the robes of a scholar or arcanist, his blonde hair falling loosely on his shoulders. Weakly, he opens his mouth and speaks, barely above a whisper. "Thank you. So, it really happened..." His words moreso trail off as a lost thought rather than a question.
Missy worked quickly and efficiently. Luckily, burns were something that she dealt with a lot as a nurse. Demons loved their fire and acid, so cleaning the burns and bandaging them came second nature. Making sure he wasn't going to fall over, she heard what he said and froze. Her own mouth worked a bit, as she tried to think of something to say. What do you tell a blind man after what just happened? There were no reassuring words to give, the only hope she had was that they get out of the caverns so they could at least feel the wind again before dying. Gulping, she looked over to Joska and nodded to the man.
"C-Can you help him walk for now? We should get to the others. I'll guide the way since I have the light. A-And well, you know, halfling."
With no severe wounds, she will help calm the man, but of course, given what she's just seen, she too is on guard. Kevin's behavior doesn't seem so offensive, so she continues her aid in checking the man, but her body is turned so that she can defend herself if needed. With the rebuke coming from not one, but two tieflings, she wonders what they were doing near this area? Were they there to fight? Were they the cause of what happened? Yet after listening to them both she considers not.
"He is perfectly just in being fearful after what was just seen and having fallen such a way. It is not a slight on your character." she replies to them for the sake of peace on behalf of her patient.
"Sir," she addresses the nobleman now, hoping to pull his thoughts from fear to a pretty face. "Sir," she reaffirms once she has his attention, "You clearly have the bone structure of someone healthy. What would have crushed a normal person's frail legs, you survived with only minor cuts. That, or the gods have blessed you this day. I can see nothing broken. That said, please be careful. You will likely have some significant bruising here...and here..." She placates him a little bit to show how he isn't coming through this unscathed. "And I will need to dress those lacerations later" "These idiots always like the bigger words when in shock." "But for now, I need you to be brave and help us find a way out of this mess. It's not safe here. That will take priority. Can you help these here who have survived look for a way out while I help the other wounded?"
She wonders how long it will take for all of this to cave in on them. Was there even a way out? Were they doomed to be trapped down here in a sealed tomb?
In the limited light, she now will make her way toward the other light source with Callen. On the way, she looks for other injured and a way out.
[+1vs traps]
Joska nods to the halfling then squats down by the elf. Speaking to both him and the halfling, she explains what's coming.
"My name is Joska Ibarguren, Stormcaller's Brigade. We need to bring everyone to a single place so we can figure out what to do next. We need to get out of this hole as soon as we can."
"Tell me when you are ready and I will help you stand. It looks like people are starting to gather nearby and I will guide you to join them."
Callen places himself under Anevia's arm and shoulder, acting as a crutch until a better one can be cobbled together. "Survivors, yes, there are. I even saw a couple that I believe I recognized. Skilled healers in fact, perhaps they can do more for you than I. Come let us go see what all the commotion is."
Helping the woman along, Callen holds his mace aloft, both as a source of light, and in preparation for whatever confrontation they are approaching.
As they draw closer to the central part of the chamber, he calls out, "Oi, Missy, Nicolette, good to see you both on your feet. I have another wounded here, could use either of your talents." Looking about the assembled group, a thin smile comes across the pale halfling's face. "Eh, things could be worse, right?"
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The nobleman, still partly hidden behind Nicolette as she tends to his minor wounds, draws a dumbfounded look as Kevin bursts outing laughter. His mouth slowly closes as the horned warrior deftly and directly lays clear his lack of malicious intent. Indeed, the man begins to straighten his doublet and step toward Kevin when Meraati steps out of the shadows and offers further dialogue against his reaction. He briefly draws back from her, but then can help but listen to her words as his eyes take in both her bearing and appearance.
Clearing his throat, he steps toward Kevin. "Ah, yes, well, of course. Thank you sir knight, for your assistance. I will see that you are handsomely rewarded for your goodly work. It's just, well, given today’s events... and not too many of your ilk take up the crusade... on this side... my apologies." The man still seems rather caught off guard and ill at ease, but honest in his words.
Turning to Nicolette, he offers a respectful nod. "Lady chirurgeon, why yes, of course I have the constitution of a mighty warrior, though my profession lies elsewhere. Your skills are most greatly appreciated. Surely after this mess is sorted, I can find employ for you with House Gwerm."
Finally coming full circle to Meraati, his eyes dart up to her horns before looking at her regal bearing, striking features, and noble garb. With a quick shake of his head, he runs his hand through his hair before speaking. ”Lady, you have me at a loss. I did not expect to find another of culture so entombed down here with me. I will ensure these warriors guard your safety and virtue as they escort us safely out of this situation.”
----
The elf leans on Joska for support, though his light frame is little trouble for her to bear. He is shaky at first as he stands, but becomes more secure on his feet with the strength of the woman to brace against. He also seems to note both her posture and heavy armor as he begins to walk. Looking down toward the voice coming from his waist’s height, he offers a soft smile. ”Thank you. The pain is manageable now.”
Turning his blind face back to the woman hoisting him, ”Joska, Stormcaller Brigade… hmm, yes, one of the mercenary companies. Good, good. I am Aravashniel. Yes, we will need to set everyone in order. You are a military type, you can help organize all these people. I can direct you on how best to move forth once we are organized. Now, let us be on to the others.”
When the nobleman shouted about demons, Amelia's face turned to panic for a few moments as she twisted and turned about looking for them. At the laughter, she quickly comes to realize what had happened and despite herself, lets out a small sigh of relief.
Amelia busys herself with taking in everyone else, then, with a loud gasp she remembers.
AH! Frost! before hurriedly setting her pack down and checking the special attachment she had had made just for her little bun bun. Her panic was for nothing however, as when she checked she found him, quite content, and quite asleep. She gives a half smile before picking him up.
Leave it to you to sleep through something like that hehe. she gives him a small nuzzle before letting him rest in a shoulder sling she had for him. Like a little hammock.
having solved yet another crisis, she turns her attention back to the others and steps up. Feeling rather small compared to most of them due to her short height. Well, except maybe Callen.
Ah, right, I'm Amelia. Amelia Rose. Its a pleasure to meet all of you... uh, despite the uh, circumstances. hehe. Oh! and this is Frost. She gestures to the fluff ball resting in his spot at her waist.
Say hello frost.
For his part, Frost merely stares out, seemingly past everyone into an eternal void. Though he does twitch his nose.
So. Um.. anyone have any ideas on how to get out? I mean, I'm sure there is a way. Just gotta find it!
Lady, you have me at a loss. I did not expect to find another of culture so entombed down here with me. I will ensure these warriors guard your safety and virtue as they escort us safely out of this situation.
Meraati gives a polite nod to the man.
[i}Felana, those practices in wordplay 'ave truly paid off.'opefully they will so again in the future.[/i]
As the man stands up, Meraati looks sideways to Kevin with a small smile that would spell 'victory'.
"Greetings, Kevin. My name is Meraati. You are a knight, of sorts?"
The elf leans on Joska for support, though his light frame is little trouble for her to bear. He is shaky at first as he stands, but becomes more secure on his feet with the strength of the woman to brace against. He also seems to note both her posture and heavy armor as he begins to walk. Looking down toward the voice coming from his waist’s height, he offers a soft smile. "Thank you. The pain is manageable now."
Turning his blind face back to the woman hoisting him, "Joska, Stormcaller Brigade… hmm, yes, one of the mercenary companies. Good, good. I am Aravashniel. Yes, we will need to set everyone in order. You are a military type, you can help organize all these people. I can direct you on how best to move forth once we are organized. Now, let us be on to the others."
"I... It's nothing." She didn't really want to have to say anything else. In this particular situation, she was still struggling to figure out anything else to say. Getting back to her feet, her eyes turned over to Joska as she helped the man to his feet. That was her name, Joska. It sounded somewhat familiar to her, though she couldn't exactly place it entirely. There were lots of people she treated at one point or another... Still, despite being blind, he was keeping his cool. It was enough to make Missy calm herself down somewhat. "M-Missy Quickbrook. Nurse and Herbalist... R-Ready to help."
Callen's voice drew her attention, and she saw him supporting a woman. Giving Joska a last glance, she scurried over the rubble and rocks to get over to the two. Coming to a stop nearby, she gave Callen a stare. Opening and closing her mouth a few times, she nodded eventually. [b]"I-I suppose so. C-Could you help her sit down? I'll need to check if i-it's a fracture or a f-full proper break." What she didn't say, was that she was pretty sure she couldn't heal it no matter what it was. Setting broken bones was one thing, fully healing them with magic was an entirely different thing.
Callen moves Anevia close to a series of boulders she could sit on. After carefully lowering her, he gingerly lifts the splinted leg to a shallow stone as a rest for Missy to examine. As he does, he sees the shaken look on her face. Reaching out, he takes Missy's shoulder, and looks at her earnestly. "Missy, it's okay. We are going to be alright. We'll get through this." Pausing but a moment, he knows the struggling mind focuses best with a purpose. Gesturing to Anevia's leg, he continues, "I have secured it well and good, but I fear the bone is shattered in multiple places. A chunk of a column came down on it. I didn't know if your gifts would be able to mend the break?"
Stepping back to give the herbalist space to work, Callen stands, pushing the hood back from over his head. An angular featured, pallid skinned halfling stands before you, his dark, partially grayed hair pushed haphazardly back. Looking around at the assembled survivors, he tucks his mace into a baldric loop on his shoulder, affording a hands free source of light. The whites of his eyes catch a strange, yellowy ting from the light, something not quite normal about them, and a keen eye might spot a few pock scars and strange black veins toward his neck.
He takes a moment to look over the other survivors, trying to note any religious markings any might carry.
In a low, raspy voice he nods to each in turn. "I am Callen Shieldborn, a junior member of the Woundstalkers, and dutiful attendant at the House of the Hallowed Shield. While not a field soldier the likes of these two-" he gestures toward Kevin and Joska, "I am a capable tracker and wayfinder. I reckon we can find a path from this cavern out... To somewhere."
There is a resting peace, and even a job offer. She bows her head in response to the nobleman's kind words, but she would be hesitant to take him up on his offer. Still, she lets him think she's ameniable to his desire to reward her and helps lead him through the dim light of the pit.
When they come upon Callen, she is almost surprised to hear her name. It is no doubt that she has met many a people in the healing tents of her father, as well as on the battlefield, but the last place she expected to see someone she knows would be down here.
"Callen? Oh...right," she answers him at his hope for aid with a nod and jogs over as carefully as she can. It seems he has things in order though. "You did well with that splint," states the young medic to reassure the hobbling patient of Callen's. Surely it was at moment's like this he probably wished he was taller.
She will patiently wait for the nurse, Missy, to examine the patient before hoping to move her along. When finished, she will point out their dire situation once more.
"We need to be on the move, even if it causes harm. This area is not safe to linger in."
Nicolette will act as the woman's aid and keep her propped up. It is impressive to see such a thin woman be so strong. Her height truly helps as well. Upon Nicolette's robes are the symbols of her being an authentic front-line medic. How she helps this woman makes it evident how impressively skilled she is .
With everyone introducing themselves, she takes in a breath, and to those who do not know her, she volunteers, "For those who have not worked with me before, I am Nicolette Yardley, First Brigade of the Nerosyan Medics." Essentially stating that she is the type of medic to rush into the frontlines, put her life on the line to secure the wounded and drag them back to healers.
As the group gathers together Kevin says to the group "My name, for those who may not have heard earlier is Kevin Hurly. I may look a lot like one of the demons, but that is not my fault. I am a servant of The Dawnflower. I just arrived in town so I don't know any of you but some of you may have run into my kin. Both my father and mother's families have supplied many a crusader. Can anyone channel positive energy? There are several among us that are hurt and the would help the most. If not I can heal some individually by touching you. When we head out I will be happy to take the lead." As you look the tiefling over you see he does indeed resemble the demons who attacked the town; shiney green harden skin, sharp teeth, hooves for feet and a tail. It is easy to forgive Mr. Gwerm his initial impression of Kevin after getting a good look at him. You also see his cold iron scimitar, breastplate, heavy shield and wooden holy symbol of Sarenrae, which looks very nicely carved.
"Nice to meet you Aravashniel, though the circumstances could be much better."
Joska's thinking is similar to Aravashniel's. They will have to get organized. The place they're all in seems big enough so far that air won't be a problem, but water will be one very soon. After that food, if the lack of water doesn't kill them first.
She has no illusions about any rescue from above. As bad as things looked in the brief time she was up there to see them, they're probably much worse now. If anyone above is still alive, they will have to look to themselves and those around them. The city could well be flattened and the scale of its emergency would be many multiples of their own problems. She and the others are on their own to stay alive and find a way out. They'd best start right away.
Joska describes things as they come to the elf as she takes him to the gathering point. She thinks the halfling who helped before she took off to be the nervous type. But maybe she's in shock.
And why shouldn't she be nervous anyway?
When she's delivered Aravashniel to the gathering point, Joska prepares to take a look around to gage the size of their cavern, look for missed survivors, and see if there are any exits.
The tiefling's little speech makes him seem promising so she walks up to him and sticks out her hand.
"I'm Joska. We need to size up our situation by looking around. I could use you along with me."
Well, since we are doing introductions, may as well join in.
The ruby eyed tiefling now takes a more relaxed stance.
"Greetings. My name is Meraati. I am...was, per'aps, a member of the Purple Lights Orchestra, one of the groups of musicians, performing just before all this 'appened. I believe i 'ave met miss Quickbrook earlier today, picking up some things for aged backs.", she gives a friendly nod at Missy Quickbrook.
"It is a relief, to see we are not short of skilled physicians.", is said with a smile.
Taking a moment to trace your memories, you recall the name Gwerm attached to a household of shrewd merchants, but know little beyond that.
It is known among the scouts, explorers, and wayfinders that serve the Crusades that there are a myriad of caverns and tunnels near Kenabres and the surrounding cliffsides. Sadly, you have little experience with them and so, no clear path forward.
You search through the rubble, hoping to discover even one more soul capable of saving, but you are met with only disappointment. It is too painful to count the lives lost. Yet as you turn to step down, you spot three things of interest: the first is a well made leather pack, hanging about 20 feet above you on a broken spear jutting from the mountain of shattered stone. The second is actually several shining, silver scales the size of a man's hand. The third and final is the silhouette of some large arachnid, hanging on the wall just above a darker shadow - a possible exit?
As Nicolette and Missy offer what further aid they can to Anevia for her leg, the blinded elf Aravashniel steps carefully off of Joska's support. Though blind, he speaks with a determined confidence. "Hmm, yes. So taking stock, we have two capable warriors in Joska and Kevin, a skilled tracker and guide in Callen, a pair of healers in Nicolette and Missy., and a debutante and opera singer, Lady Meraati. Then of course we have Anevia, who is limited by her injuries much like myself, and the skilled merchant Master Gwerm, though I doubt we will have use for his negotiating will at this time. I did hear another voice, but I am sorry Miss Amelia, I did not get your details. Come, let us all be clear to our purpose, so that we might best prepare for the troubles ahead."
Having searched through the bodies on the way over to Callen, she is burdened in her heart at the death before her. At least there were no screams of anguish from family here. Still, in her mind, she hurts for each one of them and tears up for a brief moment for each one of them. As she does explore, she will find some silver scales and will observe them. Did they belong to the dragon above? In any case, they seem valuable and not something to be left behind, so she will gather them.
Nicolette then spots the leather sack high above and curiously wonders if by disturbing it, it would cause an avalanche of rock. If so, she will leave it be. If not, she prepares in mind to use her grapple to grasp it. First, however, came Callen's call for aid. Once she ensures that the woman is safe, she spots that exit and the silhouette of an arachnid shape hanging over it. Nicolette will wait until Amelia answers the question and then will speak up:
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am relieved to meet you all. Pleased..." she corrects herself. Clearly, the death of those around her has affected the medic. After a sharp intake of breath, she ekes out, "People...I don't mean to alarm anyone, but I think perhaps I see a way out, and perhaps a problem. Over there..." she points into the darkness which she can clearly see into and will state, "...I see the silhouette of an arachnid form hanging over our exit. If it is alive...well...I can scout ahead if you wish to make sure what I'm seeing is accurate."
Oh, uh um. I studied magic for many years at the Acadamae. I'm... well, I haven't put quite the time and dedication towards it as I should have. She pauses and mutters as she glances to the side.
at least in some peoples opinions
Before refocusing on Aravashniel.
But, I do have more control over what spells I do know than most people! Its fun to bend magic around a little bit, I also focus more on conjuration. Though I also like evocation and illusion, because the effects can be so pretty. But, conjuration proved more practical in general. She says, beaming at him.
Ah, anyway, besides that I'm uh.. I'm not particularly good at a lot..I've read a lot of books, but, well, yeah. If, If we can find him, my I'm sure my uncle could help. Hes a knight! And a good one at that!
at the mention of the spider like form
Well.. at least its been content to sit and wait for us to gather ourselves. I doubt whatever it is hasn't noticed us. Since.. ya know.. there is a lot of bright light where once there was pure darkness.
Kevin takes Joska's hand and shakes it. "Glad to fight by your side." he says and then listens to the others. He turns to Joska and says "That spider sounds like our cue. Give me a second to put on this shield and we will take a look. Nicolette, let us advance on this thing everyone else can cover us. Yes?"
Missy took a deep breath as Callen put the hand on her shoulder, trying to steady herself. She really didn't believe him, but... For his sake, she at least needed to keep together. Let him have his hope, it was the last thing he might have. "Okay... Okay Callen. We'll get out of here." Looking over at Anevia, she gave her a difficult smile before starting to examine her. "Now let's take a look at you... I doubt I can do much for the broken leg, but I can at least make sure it heals right. Maybe help with the pain."
He had splinted it as well as he could have in the situation, and it'd take a proper spot to sit and work to make sure everything was aligned properly. So she did the only thing she could do. Examining the woman for another few moments, her eyes settled on a spot she knew. Right above her left hip, she pressed a pair of fingers and channeled a bit of divine energy into her. A bit of healing to help numb the pain, and make it easier for her to move.
Standing upright after that, she looked at the group that had formed. Callen was a pretty decent shot. Nicolette, she had no idea as to what she really did beyond healing. Meraati she hoped was more of a magical musician than a mundane one. Having a proper specialist in the arcane was probably a very good thing. Her eyes flicked over to the giant spider, and her hand went to the mace at her hip. "I-I'll be right behind the warriors. Gotta be close to do my job."
As the warriors discuss advancing on the giant spider, Callen u slings his longbow and knocks an arrow. "I can lend you covering fire, and keep an eye out for others. I doubt there is only one of them around." Callen swings to a low, outside position taking up the flank as the two warriors move forward.
Aravashniel smiles a bit as he listens to Amelia describe herself. "Ah, a fellow practitioner of the arcane arts! And a conjurer no less. This is most fortuitous. You will assist me, serving as my eyes as we work our way out of this labyrinth we're trapped in. Who better than one who shares the same passion in the arcane weave?"
He stands, and begins to hum a slight tune, a smile forming upon his lips. After a few seconds, he turns in the general direction of Kevin and Joska, "Alright. You two should take Callen and be off to deal with that arachnid Nicolette said was hiding in the shadows. No reason for us to leave our guard down with a monstrous spider sneaking about."
Not far off, Missy goes about offering what further aid she can to Anevia. As the diminutive healer presses in just above the hip, Anevia let's out a slight wince before a relaxing sigh. "I'm not sure what you just did, but thanks."
As Aravashniel continues to speak so boldly, Gwerm can be seen bristling and noticably giving the elf a very disapproving look.
You believe the bag itself would be safe to remove, though climbing up to it may be challenging. A light PC might have less risk of disturbing it.
Nicolette brushes her hair back and ties it up with a ribbon. She gives a nod to Kevin and while he is pulling out his shield and getting ready for battle, she procures her grapple hook.
"Just a moment and I'll be ready too."
It seems it is tied to an end of a rope, and although others can't see it, she aims for the leather sack's sling.
Were it not for the rotating whoosh of the rope, releasing it at the right moment, and the speed at which it was thrown, it would be thought to be too simple. With the throw as perfect as it can be, and assuming she hooks the strap perfectly, she now lightly whips the connected rope a few times in the direction that would free the leather bag. This way, without disturbing the spear much, the bag will, hopefully, gently slide off with her grapple hook--landing safely in her cushioning arms. By doing this, she not only hopes to save time but also hopes to avoid the chance of disturbing the rocks by climbing up there.
If that is successful, she will creep forward toward the silhouette but will want to stay at least 60ft away from it so she can get a better view of it. Is it real? Is it just an arachnid-styled gargoyle? Is there even a pathway?
(+1vs traps)
With the combined lights of the gathered group, it's easier to see Joska well. She's tall, though unlikely the tallest human woman anyone has seen. Joska is solidly built, but her armor makes her body's lines nonspecific. The breastplate she wears is very unusual in design. The number of unused straps and buckles on it suggest Joska is wearing partial armor, with a number of pieces missing from the complete kit.
The most noticeable detail about Joska is her badly scarred face. The scars are not a livid red, their fading indicating they have been there for quite some time. Joska's dark hair and eyes, along with her paler skin give her a generically Avistani appearance, rendering her particular place of origin a mystery. Her accent when speaking suggests it is not a place that typically supplies Mendev with crusaders though.
"Right. A big spider on the wall by a tunnel sounds like a good place to start."
Joska hands off her torch to Missy the halfling so she can ready her shield before she draws her sword. As she makes her way in the indicated direction, Joska makes a gesture toward moving with some stealth but it's a moot attempt.
Kevin walks towards the spider ready to do battle with it.
She let out an internal sigh as she managed to catch the man's disapproval towards the elf. Was it because he was an elf, or was it because he used arcane magic? It was hard to tell, and she really didn't want to deal with it. So she didn't even bother to mention it, instead, she focused on what they were doing. Glancing back at Anevia as she spoke, she gave her a nod. "Just doing my job."
Getting the torch passed to her, she blinked at Joska... She just dropped it after Joska got her shield ready and walked off. Her own shield already had Light cast on it, plus she needed that hand free. Considering they were all literally glowing in the cavern's darkness and half of them clanked a lot, she didn't bother trying to sneak after Joska.
Figures. That man is more likely jealous of power the elf could wield, over 'is own power of pompousness.
Snared perfectly by her toss, with a little effort the high perch leather pack falls off the spear and into Nicolette's waiting arms. It has some heft, and lowering it down she loosens several of the straps so she can look within. The pack itself is worn in the manner only something of exceptional craftsmanship should be, appearing to have gotten better with age. Within the bag you find: 10 days of trail rations, flint and steel, a set of caltrops, two flasks of oil, a bundle of 12 arrows, a potion of cure light wounds, and a potion of lesser restoration.
As Nicolette searches the continents of the bag, the silver scales she had previously had in her left hand spill across the floor and catch the light of the torch abandoned by Jessica. Anyone nearby catches the shimmering metallic glow they cast off, and there is a sense of power radiating out from them.
The palm-sized silver scales can be from none other than the recently lost silver dragon Terendelev. Has he left you some parting gift in his death?
Moving forward together toward the shadowed giant arachnid, a sense of dread and foreboding comes upon each of you. As you approach, the musk of the creature gives off a putrid, rotten odor. The monstrous foe could undoubtedly devour a human, and the horrors of above echo back even as you draw near. And yet, given the many sources of light, and the lack of any stealth in your approach, it is…. Strange that the creature has not moved at all to confront you. Far from it, it seems to stand, or rather hang, limply in place, not a twitch of movement in any of it’s eight limbs. There is, however, a shudder, and a muffled sound echoing out from its bloated abdomen…
Suddenly, with a sickly wet plot, three fetid, meter long maggots fall from the carcass of the dread arachnid, their forms defined by greasy, pale flesh and a dripping, circular mouth filled with tiny, sharp teeth as they begin to undulate forward.
INITIATIVE
Having been prepared for a brutal fight against the giant spider, Callen is caught off guard when the trio of maggots fall from the corpse. Startled a bit, he nevertheless raises his bow and snaps off a shot at the nearest one.
When Joska sees the true nature of the threat she begins to fan out to the right so she can approach one from the end rather than the center. They shouldn't be fast moving so she expects she can get close to one without having to expose herself to any others. She signals with her hand for Kevin to do the same from the other direction.
She remains slow and quiet as possible until the last few steps, then she quickly closes the last few remaining feet shield forward, striking with her sword as she arrives within arm's reach.
Kevin nods to Joska and moves to the other end and attacks the maggot leaving the middle lane open for any of the ranged combats to fire into.