Missy see's the fire bloom forth from where she was in the back and rushes forward. If someone got hurt, then she'd have to be upfront to heal them. Even if not to heal them, then to at least provide her support. As such, she decides to seek shelter with Joska, hoping the woman's large shield would keep her safe from the flames.
"And doth yee behold, Matthew the swift,
A man of balance, and quick of shift.
Dodging his foes' ire,
All their attacks, in particular fire.", as she moved slightly closer to the ones doing an active search.
As Joska, Missy, Callen and Nicolette move forward, they each catch a glimpse of a stocky, mangy red haired dwarf, in a dirty tan robe. Yet he is obscured, not only by his position behind a statue, but something about the dwarf's appearance is distorted, almost blurry.
As he shoots, Callen is sure his arrow will strike true, but at the last second, the dwarf seems to shimmer and the arrow skips of the nearby statue.
Still tucked down as much as possible behind the statue, the dwarf turns toward Callen out in the open and shouts out in his native tongue. "Bha fios agam gun tigeadh sealgairean bana-bhuidsich a losgadh orm - cha toir thu beò mi gu bràth!"
"I knew you witch hunters would come to burn me - you will never take me alive!"
As he does, he works an arcane gesture then thrusts his hand at Callen. A crystalline ball of ice hurtles at the halfling, but it goes wide. Seeing his miss, he turns and scurries down a narrow tunnel behind him.
Amelia seems so caught off guard by the surprise attack that she stays back with Aravashnial and the others.
Since Joska is setting the pace of the advance, she moves in close along the wall. When she gets close Joska comes at the dwarf from the wall-facing side of statue he is using for cover. It's tight, and not very advantageous for her own attack, but she is more interested in forcing the dwarf out from the statue and into the open room. The party's numbers will make a greater difference if she can herd him in the right direction.
Kevin dashes forward and says to the dwarf "There is no need for you to die here today. Throw down your weapons and surrender and you will be treated well."
The medic shuffles forward at the sound of the figure speaking.
"I did not expect something to be communicating down here with us." she thinks, but she can't make out what it is in his hastened form of speech.
"Does anyone know what he said?" she asks.
Now that the others are in the range of it, she can see the figure trying to slink away, so Nicolette now puts away her sling and tries not to drop it as she stuffs it back in its proper place.
"I wonder how long he's been down here? Maybe he knows something about the Shrine?"
As quick as she can, she will attempt to pull her dagger out. "I am not a combatant. I need to get better at this..."
What is he saying? Did we upset him?
Amelia, seeing the dwarf continue to attack extends her arm and utters a draconic phrase of power.
Arcanis 'Nar! And two multicolored bolts erupt from her fingers and racing towards the dwarf, slamming into his chest and momentarily cause the areas hit to shimmer a multitude of colors before returning to normal.
Callen barely dodges the spell cast at him, and continues to hustle forward, drawing another arrow and taking a shot past his ally. "Who cares what he said, he clearly is trying to kill us!"
Amelia's magic missile and Callen's arrow both strike the dwarf, and he cries out at each injury. A heavy burn now mars his shoulder where the arcane bolts struck him, and the arrow is lodged in his thigh. Anyone can clearly see the dwarf is significantly wounded.
Meraati advances forward to about the center of the chamber, and halts her verse, of which the effect remains in her allies's mind a little longer.
Missy continues to follow Joska and Kevin, focusing on preparing to try and help the two if need be. An attack comes in, shove them out of the way. If they get severely injured, heal them. Trying to get stuck into the melee mess that'd form seems like a poor idea at the moment.
Seeing the forces descending in around him, the dwarf cries out, "
A uilebheistean! Bheir mi ort pàigheadh airson seo!"
"You monsters! I will make you pay for this!"
He quickly steps back , then works several arcane gestures as he thrusts his hands forward. A shower of flames leaps out at Joska, Kevin, and Missy.
As the flames dissipate away, the dwarf can be seen reaching into the folds of his robe and grabbing something small.
Joska decides to take the brunt of the fire in order to end things quickly. She wades through it and strikes the dwarf with sword and shield.
Missy manages to duck beyond Joska as the flames come in, avoiding the worst of the brunt. She immediately felt kinda bad about using someone else as a living shield, so she followed the woman forward. Practiced words slipped off her tongue and a hand came up, as she cast a healing spell onto the woman.
Kevin maganged to evade the first burning hands somewhat but forgot to dodge the second time as he was trying to talk the man down.
Nicolette's eyes go wide at the gouts of flame. At the sign of danger, she rushes forward around the dwarf's flank and slides in behind him to keep his focus distracted while Joska or another finishes him.
Kevin steps up as he says "I gave you a chance. Now be redeemed by the sword!"
The heroes descend on the mad, fire-wielding dwarf. Nicolette circles around to cut off his escape, while Joska and Kevin press the attack. Kevin's swing goes wide, but forces the dwarf to confront the warrior woman head on. Though his magical effect steals the accuracy of her shield strike, Joska's sword lands true, and she feels the crunch of bone as the dwarf cries out and crumples at her feet.
As the dwarf falls back toward you under the might of Joska's blow, a small vial rolls out of his hand.
Callen cautiously approaches his comrades surrounding the fallen dwarf, an arrow still knocked in his bow. Drawing close to the others, he uses his foot to tap the dwarf's. Looking up he speaks quietly, "Looks like he won't be casting any spells again. Though does not seem to be one of those First Crusaders the elf was going on about. Give me a moment, I will poke my head around the corner."
Callen tucks low and hugs the stone as he slowly works his way down the narrow tunnel past his allies.
With an agile hand, she cushions his fall to the ground and presses his hand with the flask against his side. This is an attempt to keep the vial from falling to the ground. If she can, she will ease him down with care, safely recover the flask, and will check on him. He may very well be unconscious, but dead?
If the dwarf is near death, she will stabilize him for the moment. "Who knows what we will find? None of us could understand him. If he was a cultist, I have no qualms ending him. If he was an ally, will we regret harming him? Perhaps the place he was running to will reveal the truth?
She states in a kind manner, "I know he seemed a villain to us...and he was definitely trying to kill us, but he definitely seemed mad. That's a state of mind sometimes not controlled. Let's try to treat him as a life worth saving or at least one of respect until we know he is not. He, after all, was sentient like us. Perhaps we can find something of his in the tunnel?"
In the meantime, she observes this flask.
Joska isn't the eye rolling type, so she just looks at Nicolette impassively.
"He was hostile, no need to understand his words. His actions were designed to kill, and he had other choices he could have made."
I've killed both hostiles and non-hostiles and I can tell the difference, feel the difference, believe me.
"If you keep him alive, he's your responsibility as far as I'm concerned. I want no part of it because it will end badly."
She turns to Missy next. "Thank you. Burns are extremely painful, beyond the actual degree of wounding they cause."
"W-Well, I kinda hid behind you... Might as well m-make up for that. She offered with a small shrug, rubbing the back of her neck. "B-But yeah... fire hurts. U-Um... At the very least, if he's alive, h-he might be able to give us info about these caves? L-Like, first hand account info. Not just second hand book info... I-If anyone wants me to, I'll take a look and try to patch you up further?"
You were across the dwarf from Joska and saw the cold fury channeled by the warrior into her blow. The dwarf's collarbone is shattered as are several ribs, the cleaving wound having torn open his chest. It's likely the lung beneath has collapsed as well. Through your deft skill you are able to stop the major bleeding, but are certain that unless magical healing or some other means are applied quickly, the dwarf will not be long for this world.
Looking down at the vial, you see a milky white liquid, with flecks of silver floating within.
The narrow tunnel loops around to the right, opening quickly into a chamber beyond. The space is curious, it is much smaller than the previous room, and lacks any of the fine statues that are there. A combination of loose rock and worked stones are haphazardly stacked to make a half wall toward the corner. In front of that area a small fire burns low, with a heavy bedroom laid out within it. A couple of bags are stacked nearby against the wall. On the other side of the half wall is a wide growth of fungus. Another tunnel continues at the southern end of the chamber.
"We can't trust what he might tell us even if we happen to find someone who speaks his language, making sure he's kept secured will slow us down, and he will be a burden on our scanty food supply."
Joska shrugs.
"But you're going to do what you want to do regardless. I want no part of it."
Joska goes to inform the rest of the party back on the other side of the cavern about the new developments.
Joska's terms are heard by the medic. She thinks, "I could say the same of each of you if you didn't speak my language and I woke up surprised to see all of you in my cave." She holds her tongue for the moment, but when Joska states that she wants no part of it, Nicolette nods. His death and life are in her hands. She understands this.
"Just please do what I ask and investigate the tunnel. I will not expend any supplies on him and will take his life myself if he proves to be as villainous as he seemed. I'll be along once I slow or stop his bleeding."
Eventually, her task is achieved and she cleanses her tools. They have a small bit of time to find out what is what, and in this moment, she opts to stick close to him and research this potion more.
"Milky-white...same flecks in it." she wants to be sure, so she first opens to smell and then samples it.
Callen moves from the tunnel into the chamber, first checking behind the low wall, then down the other tunnel, for other threats. If there is no one in sight, he will shoulder his bow and draw his mace, enchanting it with a light spell before searching through what he assumes are the dwarf's belongings (the bedroll, bags, and such).
"Does it not strike odd, that a single dwarf, underequipped as this, attacked on his own such a large group? Somehow it reminds me of a cornered cat. You know, desperation."
Meraati silently wished she could speak dwarven right now.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Pardon me. Amelia says catching up to the others. She stares at Joska, clearly angry about her cold words.
But what about protecting and saving people? I thought the entire point of even being in this part of the world was standing at the ready to defend others. Even if they may not deserve it? We have no idea who he is, or why he lashed out at us. What if some demon got to him and addled his brain? What if he has been down here so long he has gone half mad? There are a plethora of reasons why he would lash out at us without being evil, especially in this place, and especially with all thats happened today. But you clearly have no compassion... You know, I couldn't wait to meet the people here, and when I saw you I just knew you were a gallant knight defending people.. well I guess not! Some protector you are! Would you simply kill a poor farmer turned bandit just trying to survive by taking some food?! Would you turn away a starving person simply because you feared you might run out of food yourself!? She finishes, a strangely pained expression on her face. She seems ready to go off on another tirade but simply says.
If they are bad, fine. Do what has to be. But at least spend the effort to confirm that before leaving a dying person in the ditch!
Before jogging over to the dwarf to help.
to identify the potion.
Joska looks at Amelia in the same way she looked at Nicolette, a neutral expression. Her voice is not agitated but businesslike.
"I work with what I know. I was protecting you, others, and myself. The dwarf had bathed me in fire twice by the time I reached him, the first time was his announcement of his presence. He introduced himself with violence against Kevin and me."
"He could have chosen differently. He could have decided to hide, flee, parlay, surrender, or simply start a conversation with strangers. I don't know why he chose as he did, and it's not something I'm going to ponder. I responded appropriately to his actions. As I've said to the others, I dealt with him once, and if you decide to revive him, it will be your responsibility to handle him the next time. You will have to solve the problem you create."
"Let's say for example he is indeed possessed by a demon. We can't fix that. As long as he is among us then, he will remain a constant and significant threat to every one of us. He will require constant attention so we are aware of his actions. There will be no rest for us due to the danger he poses. He will strain our resources, slow our progress, and divide our attention. If something tragic happens as a result, it will be on you. I've already settled this once."
Joska moves on from Amelia to Aravashnial, Anevia, and Horgus. She explains "There's been a hold up. We were ambushed by a dwarf with fire magic. We finished him, but it seems some others among us want to revive him. I think that's a mistake but it looks like naivety will win out. Anyway we can move on up to join them while we finish looking around. We'll move on as quickly as possible."
Joska guides Aravashnial as they move forward. Given she's first had to run forward into harm and then all the way to back to the rear to keep everyone with them together and guarded while others scurry about with hand-wringing and gasps over mortality, she's beginning to think poorly of some of her companions' understanding of responsibility or the dangers of the world.
Anevia, Aravashnial, and Horgus are all huddled toward the rear of the chamber, clearly having put their differences aside as they await the outcome of the battle. As Joska approaches, they relax a bit. Aravashnial is the first to speak up, taking Joska's hand as it clasps around his own. "A dwarf, you say? Hmm, most strange, that does not match what you say has been discovered here at all. Are you sure its a dwarf? Does he show signs of mutation or deformity? If so, could it be descended from humans?"
Anevia and Horgus follow behind, Anevia keeping an eye toward the rear, and Horgus offering only a few huffs and sighs as they approach. Getting up to the others, Horgus offers his now typical scoff, "By the gods, that thing smells fowl. I've dealt a good deal with dwarves in the past - they are master craftsmen and loyal business partners - though have never met one so filthy and wretched looking. No doubt this one was mad!"
Looking over at Kevin, the other who was caught in the fiery blasts, you are shocked to note barely a mark of burn on his scaled flesh. Likely a boon granted from his unnatural form.
The liquid has a smooth, viscous texture on the tongue. I has a very mild flavor, with hints of vanilla. Though you don't initially feel any change to your body, your eyes catch a brief glimpse of your hand, fading for a second. You are holding a potion of invisibility.
What you find is far more than a camp, yet not quite a residence. The bedroll is a mismatch of old fabrics and furs, and would be a relatively comfortable, if smelly, bed. Looking past the half wall, it looks like section of the fungus bed have been harvested, possibly used as a food source by the dwarven resident. Tucked at the inside corner are both a light crossbow with a case of bolts and a battered axe - the head has clearly been used many times to strike something on stone, and would need to be heavily mended and sharpened before once again being a serviceable tool.
In the first sack you find a collection of household goods - a small cast iron pan, a large wooden spoon, a small dagger, a wooden bowl, a horn mug, a pouch with flint and tinder, several candles. The second sack, tucked neatly under the first and with the fabric folded around the shape inside, reveals an old, leather tome - flipping through the pages reveals arcane writing that starts off ordered and precise, but over time, becomes wild and disordered. Tucked in the pages of the book is a narrow, sharpened bone with a fine tip, that could possibly be used as a writing quill. It also contains a small pouch with 11 platinum and 23 gold within. The third sack rattles as you lift it, and opening it, you find a collection of bones within, some with muscle scraps still attached. Many are from some unrecognized animal, but shockingly, more than a few are clearly humanoid - and have been gnawed upon.
The mushrooms are edible, though likely can have a mild mind-altering affect with long term consumption.
Attacking a much larger force definitely gives a sense of desperation. On the other hand, the alternatives Joska offered for his actions make sense - none of you had spotted him, he clearly had another route out of the area, yet he continued to press his attack when he had both a chance to flee and a chance to surrender, so perhaps his intent was malicious. In truth, you think perhaps it is a bit of both, with a healthy dose of madness tossed in - the body before does not look like that of a sane man.
Getting up to Nicolette and the dwarf, you note Nicolette is already studying the first potion. In that moment, you see a scroll case on the belt of his robe. Pulling out the stopper, you find within a aged arcane scroll, containing the spells shocking grasp and resist energy.
Callen feels a knot form in his stomach at the realization of the contents of the third sack. Putting it back down, he picks back up the second sack, the only one of worth. The weapons are in disrepair, not worth taking.
Hearing the continued debate between his comrades, Callen hurries back down the tunnel. Looking down at the dwarf, he points a thumb back over his shoulder. "His layer is just down that tunnel, maybe 30 feet. And the tunnel continues out the other side. Got something you might be able to look at here-" he pulls out the arcane tome and hands it to Amelia, "but before we get to much further into the debate over him, you should know there is a bag full of half-eaten bones back there. Animal bones, and man bones. If his magical attacks on us weren't enough, that latter fact makes it clear to me. Now, Amelia, maybe you can make some sense of that book and it will tell us otherwise, but I am guessing it would be best to allow this dwarf to return to the earth from whence he came."
The continued conversation attempts to distract her from saving a life. She appreciates Amelia's views on the situation but has her opinions in this case. As the two split ways, Nicolette affirms her position to Amelia in newfound privacy.
"Thank you for your valiant efforts to preserve life. I myself would not do this were he some denizen of the dark. I've grown up with dwarves on the battlefield all my life. They can be villains, but they aren't inherently so. I wished to give him a chance, that is all. I have stopped his bleeding for now. It won't be overly long before he perishes without magical aid or more serious work. Just try not to think ill of Joska. She did have to rush in face first into this dwarf's fury. If you want to help, and you have a prestidigitation spell, that would help me clean this garment..and perhaps his clothing as well...whew..."
It is clear that the blood has been cleansed from Nicolette's hands and rests mostly on a white rag nearby. If Amelia can help, Nicolette will reuse the garment.
At Callen coming out, she nods to him and looks to the book he hands Amelia. "No doubt he was surviving. He probably relied on cannibalism for a time. That is standard in such cases where someone is isolated...or by choice. She holds up the potion. "He intended to drink this upon his near demise. It is a potion that turns you invisible. That speaks to tactics and having wisdom. A person able to know how to drink a potion in a moment's danger does not speak to me as someone being mad and wild. Afraid maybe? Perhaps angry too from the looks I saw of him. In any case...magic takes a significant amount of focus and in some cases, even study. I'm not saying he didn't deserve to die. I am saying that appearances can be deceiving."
She looks to the approaching men and women and replies to Horgus, "Most foul. I imagine he hasn't bathed in a while. I have been extremely careful in handling him. By chance, would any of you speak dwarven?"
Its just.. If he is bad, then so be it I guess. Yet, Shelyn teaches that all life is precious, demons withstanding I think, and someone that is foul today may change and create something beautiful and breath taking tomorrow. Besides.. I would rather know, and walk in good conscious than ever wonder "What if he wasn't evil" or the like even if it puts me in a tougher spot...
She pauses a minute, doing as asked by Nicolette before continuing.
I believe that, deep down, everyone has the ability to do good and wonderful things... Just, sometimes it takes another person to give them hope and belief enough to try.. After all, if we can't have hope in others, can't see the potential in them.. why should we ever expect them too? yes, sometimes it cannot be helped... but if we don't always try and strive for that... well... There are more ways to help and protect a person than simply keeping them from physical danger... and often times, those other ways are perhaps more important than the former..
With that, she falls silent for a time listening to what the others discovered. She will nod and take the book to look through it later.
Finally. She speaks up again.
I think we should try to help him. Even if he made bad choices once... I have a spell, I could prepare it tomorrow so I could understand him, at least.
"Dear me," she comments to the young redhead, "I love your heart. I am of a similar mind. I understand your position, but because of his actions, he is going to die here soon. If no one can understand him," she nods concerning those in the distance making their way over, "then the courteous thing to do is to let him go while he remains unconscious. Perhaps that book will reveal some secrets as to his mental state?"
Nicolette points to the book the mage just tucked away, encouraging her to explore its contents in brief now.
Meraati, having now calmly pondered over the impression and behavior of the dwarf, adds to it.
" 'e was capable of tactical reason, but crazy enough to try and attack a large group."
"It could well be something in between, or a combination of factors, for another possibility. Gone mad from isolation or trauma, faculties intact, but lashing out at anything out of paranoia. Or whatever, as it seems none of us speak dwarven. Though may'aps it is not the only language 'e knows."
Horgus continues to look disgustedly at the body, yet he does reply to Nicolette's question. "I have no scholarly mastery of it, but dwarven is a useful trade language, and as I said I have dealt with them on more than a few occasions. So yes, I can read it well enough, and speak and understand it so long as not in a rush. Do you want me to... Talk to the... Dead dwarf?" He asks the last part with a confused look on his face.
Despite what many people think, a spell book does not contain just spells. Often times, it contains pages upon pages of research and notes, with an occasional spell tucked here and there. That is the case in this book. And the earlier pages, the writing, all in dwarven, seems precise and orderly. But a little more than halfway through, the quality of writing begins to degrade, to the point that in the last several pages it is little more than a scribble. Though you cannot read it, lacking knowledge of the dwarven runes, You suspect the writing has an aggressive, erratic nature to it. In addition, you find almost two dozen spells tucked within his pages.
Kevin looks down at the dwarf and says "We gave him a chance at surrender, redemption and life. He chose not to take it. Let's move on. Maybe fate will intervene on his behalf, that is unless that book condemns him some how or saves him."
Callen sighs, looking between his companions. "It is true, it is possible this is all a misunderstanding. I am not one to condemn a man blindly, having been unjustly persecuted myself in my life. But he was trying to kill us, and from what I found in his chamber beyond, likely intent on eating us. I am sorry ladies, but I have to agree with Kevin and Joska. I fear this man is a threat best left to pass."
"No, not a dead dwarf. He is unconscious and near death," she answers Horgus. With all of her other companions minus Amelia voicing their disdain for her decision, she merely takes the brunt of the assault with patience and ignores them, awaiting Amelia. "If you could just take a couple minutes and help Amelia sort through the latter pages of his writings, I would be appreciative," she asks once more of Horgus.
Horgus seems to get a bit excited as Nicolette asks for his assistance with the matter at hand. Stepping toward Amelia, he clears his throat and reaches for the tome tucked beneath her arm. "Pardon me, young miss, but may I?" Assuming she allows him to take the book, he begins to thumb his way through pages, skipping over some, spending time reading others. An occasional, "hmm" or "strange" escapes as he flips from page to page. But after a couple minutes, his expression becomes more serious and drawn, then his face starts to go pale. Finally, reading another page, he begins to wretch, and quickly shoves the book back into Amelia's hand before darting away a couple steps, and loosing whatever was left in his stomach from the morning.
After a few minutes to compose himself, he pulls out a small flask from an unseen pocket, takes a swig, then dusts his brow with a kerchief. Finally, with a little bit of color back in his cheeks, "the dwarf, whom I believe is named Millorn, seems to have been a brilliant mind who came to Kenabres a few years back to find the horrors of the Worldwound so that he might study them. He seemed focused on drawing power out of them in some manner. About two years ago, he was caught experimenting on demons within the walls of the city, and fled the wrath of the witch hunters, seeking refuge here. The timeline gets a bit fuzzy, but about a year ago, he encountered a lesser horned demon and subdued him, then began eating his flesh. It would seem there are some that live nearby, and he has done so with several of them. He is convinced he will gain the might and powers of a greater demon by doing so..." Horgus' voice trails off with his finishing words.
Meraati's opinion of the dwarf potentially being of positive mind, is completely cast aside.
"Well, that answers some questions on 'is state of mind and motives."
She says with a look of disgust.
"Perish the thought if 'e would win, 'ed be crazy enough to per'aps even eat me and Kevin?"
"Thank you, dear Horgus," she comments sadly and with a quiet voice. This means the impending death of the one before her. It isn't so difficult. A quick snip of a suture and the blood flows free. She rests over him like a guardian angel and states, "I know not where you will go, but I pray the winds of justice find you for the evils you've committed and set in motion. Whoever led you astray, I also hope will turn away from the choices you've made and seek their repentance."
She will wait the minute or less for the dwarf's ultimate demise and then will stand and ready her things to move onward. She does not address who was correct, but she does seem appreciative of Horgus and places a hand of welcoming on his shoulder before continuing on.
"Did we explore the whole length of inside here? Does it continue onward?"
Callen recognizes the look of sorrow and resolve on Nicolette's face, and softly puts his hand on her shoulder. As she reaches down to the dressings, he understands what she is about to do - no healer ever wants to let a life expire within their grasp. Callen pushes the head hood back from his head and lowers the scarf around his face when she begins her farewell for the dwarf. He holds a solemn gaze while she speaks, offering the blessing of the cruciform sword at the end of her words.
Callen responds to Nicolette's question before turning to the others. "The chamber beyond was his residence, of sorts. There is a tunnel going out in the other direction from there, though I did not follow it yet. We were just starting to look over that small campsite when the attack happened - Nicolette, do you find anything at value there?"
Callen turns toward Meraati, "indeed, Kevin was in the blast of the dwarf's initial spell, though it looks like it had little effect on him. Hmm, perhaps he would have wanted me for an appetizer as well..." The halfling's perpetually quiet, dusky voice trails off as an unfinished thought.
Callen had been clothed, head to toe and even wearing gloves, to this point. What little bit of his face that was visible before was pale, but now with the hood and scarf removed, everyone can see the deathly pallor of his flesh, offset by sharply angular features not common on a halfling and black spidering veins on his neck and jaw. Several pock scars are visible as well.
Horgus is caught off guard by the halfling's corpse like appearance, and quickly takes a couple steps back. He seems about to say something, but then closes his mouth, perhaps finally deciding silence is the wiser course.
Aravashnial, on the other hand, gestures for Joska to bring him closer. "Hmm, He sought to gain power by consuming the flesh of demons, intriguing. Though I have seen some limited mention of such cult like beliefs, in practice I've never seen any evidence to suggest it as a reality. Moreover, you said they were bones? Even this close to the Worldwound, a demon's physical remains would disperse quite quickly after death. No bones would be left behind, not even flesh to really feed upon. Perhaps he fed on demon touched then? Oh! This, this could be proof that the children of the first crusaders are real! Indeed, it confirms it, For they were warped by the Worldwound's demonic influence! Yes, they must have a settlement nearby!" The elf seems quite pleased with his deduction, even as the rest of you gather in somber silence.
Amelia for her part sighs, before quietly going back to Aravashnial's side.
She does mutter a question.
Do you think these people would be friendly?
Callen's smaller halfling hand is appreciated. He can tell because she tilts her head toward it briefly in an affectionate way and then shake her head in disgust at the whole situation. Then when the dwarf has passed away, she looks up as the redhead and elf speak.
"To us?" she scoffs playfully at Amelia's question, even though it is directed to the elven man. The look on her face seems to indicate that she doubts this would be the case. She can be a bit cynical verbally at times even if she doesn't have a true pessimistic viewpoint. "I doubt it down here...mmnn...nah nevermind..." she states as if she was going to say something nasty or negative as a joke but changed her mind. "I shouldn't voice such things around people who aren't used to me. I should keep promoting an aura of positivity, not doubt and hopelessness. It's not that I believe there is no hope anyway. That Missy girl seemed to be pretty hopeless right at the start. I'm sure my opinions wouldn't help much on that front if I stick to such nonsense. Ooo..."
While Horgus' face is one of shock in regard to the halfling's revealed pallor, Nicolette's mind and eyes become more...positively engaged. It's like the unwrapping of a present to her. Callen's condition doesn't bother her at all as she's seen way worse, plus, she cares more about the mind than the body in people she views. To her, he's a good-looking guy. One could even say her mind is more positively engaged than normal as she seeks to shake the thoughts of the dwarf's death off. Nicolette moves forward to the cavern entrance then gives the Callen a beckoning nod to join her in scouting ahead.
+1 vs traps
"Let's search to the back and see if it continues onward."
Once down near the campfire, she will start to sneak further into the next opening.
Joska is pleased to be back on task and moving again. She takes up her usual position trailing Callen and Nicolette by about 60'.
As she watches them for signs of trouble, her mind isn't entirely on the task at hand though. She keeps playing with parts of Amelia's criticism in her thoughts. Some of it stuck with her.
Gallant knight indeed! What a terribly misguided read on me. She has no idea at all, even after that little tiff, how wrong she is.
It's still hard for Joska to remember how few people in Mendev recognize who she is by sight. She may not be wearing all her armor, but in western Varisia the breastplate alone would be enough for anyone to know, even with a helmet hiding the scars on her face.
Callen catches the look Horgus gives him, then pauses slightly as he notices Nicolette's intrigued expression. 'she is not disgusted as so many others are? It almost seemed like it... Fascinated her? Well, she is a healer after all.'
Callen pulls up his scarf and repositions his hood as he comes back to the moment. He casts a glance at Horgus then the others before leading Nicolette down the tunnel into the next chamber and beyond. As they move into the further tunnel Callen glances at Nicolette. "It was the fiendpox, some years ago. When it hit Kenabres, my mother was one of those that treated the sick. Eventually it infected her, then me. I survived, she... Didn't."
Nicolette and Callen lead the way down the tunnel past the dwarf's liar. It proceeds for a short distance before opening into a shaft, rising at a near vertical pitch to a height beyond your limited vision. The shaft's walls are rough, with both cracks and outthrusts providing handholds. Surprisingly, there are also pitons and wooden steps hammered or wedged into gaps. The combination of all of these makes it appear that it would be easy to ascend the shaft itself, not unlike climbing a ladder. Though where it leads to, of course, remains unknown...
Callen looks to Nicolette with a look of surprise and confusion. "This is interesting, looks like someone, at some point, used to climb this frequently. I don't think it was the dwarf though."
Poking his head back down the narrow tunnel towards the dwarf's lair, he calls back. "Fortune seems to be blessing our way - we have a climb ahead, but someone, or something has already established a path of sorts. I am going to head up. Everyone, get ready to ascend."
He moves back up with Nicolette, tucking his bow beneath his pack, and tightening the loop on his quiver. He pulls his mace out and offers a short prayer to Iomedae, which causes it to glow with the light of a torch. Tucking it into his baldric, he looks up at Nicolette. "Wish me luck!"