Shapely white eyebrows rising up her face, disarmed by both the soothing magic and Kiley's sweet signing voice, Ari can only manage a simple quiet "Thank you."
Despite having only just helped her to her feet, Ari offers the shorter woman a shoulder for support. "Maybe sitting was the smarter move. Maybe give yourself a minute but if you can do it again you should probably take care of your own hurts."
Kiley nods as Ari suggests trying to heal herself. She focuses on that part of her she could feel and sings a few soft notes, but she only gets about halfway through the melody before her voice trails off and she nearly falls over as her head spins.
"S-sorry. That's all I had," she apologizes as she leans into Ari.
"Singing? That denotes bardic usually though not always." Rutilux finds this whole thing interesting.
Shaggar retrieves his axe and watches along the edge of the elevator and up the shaft, alert for any danger.
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The elevator continues its descent into the darkness below the stirge, leaving them far behind you for now. The rest of the journey down is uneventful thankfully and takes nearly a full 8 hours, plenty of time for the group to rest and recover from the extremely eventful past few days. Finally, the grinding sound of gears below you wakes any of you who have slept and you discover that the metal disk isn't moving anymore.
As the elevator groans to a halt and its massive doors creak open, a breathtaking sight unfolds before you. The cavern stretches so far that its edges blur into darkness, and the air is filled with a strange, serene warmth. Overhead, golden rays of sunlight cast soft radiance across the vast expanse in small amounts, illuminating fields of green and gold that ripple with unseen breezes. Neatly arranged rows of crops blanket the cavern floor—wheat, barley, and unfamiliar leafy plants sway gently, their colors unnaturally vibrant for such a subterranean place. Farmers prowl the fields, ensuring both that they are protected from intrusion and tended to properly.
Ahead, towering gates of carved stone dominate the landscape, their massive cylindrical towers etched with countless narrow windows like watchful eyes. Statues of grim dwarves, stoic and eternal, stand guard on balconies high above, their golden accents glinting in the warm light. The gates themselves are flanked by intricate pillars and crowned with vaulted arches that seem to touch the heavens—or at least what passes for them here.
Slightly off in the distance, at what appears to be an hour walk through the fields of crops, stands a small collection of buildings that looks to be some sort of trading post, or farmstead? Hard to tell exactly, but you can see figures moving around over that way.
The movement of the elevator doesn't bother Ari when it comes to time to rest as it continues its slow, inexorable descent into the bowels of the world - she's slept in both stranger and less comfortable places. The exposed nature of it, however, is more of a concern to the wary tiefling. With an insistence on watches, she manages to grab some rest, though its fitful and the quality is not exactly high.
When the ride finally ends, the scene that greets her is one Ari is not prepared for. It's almost as if the Western Hearltands above have been transported however many miles below the surface into the Underdark. The city - presumably dwarven, judging by the statues - was something she could picture. The farmlands, however, seem like Chauntea's greatest bounty.
"What's the plan, then?" she asks. "I'm assuming this is Brazenthrone. Do we just march up to the gate? Given dwarves tend to be hard folk and anything that lives down here is going to be vigilant, I'm not convinced we're going to sneak in unnoticed. I also don't want to give them any reason to dislike me at first sight - not that I can see why anybody would -" she flashes a quick smile before continuing, "I think it might be sensible to leave Ari behind for the moment and play someone else." So saying she starts rummaging through her possessions in order to sort her clothing, hair and make up.
Kiley does not rest easy. Memories of the raid on her home and Lucina's fate bleed into her dreams, turning them into nightmares. When they arrive at the bottom, it looks as if Kiley had not slept at all, and she sticks close to Shaggar.
"Hopefully the ones we are chasing haven't tried to turn them against us."
Shaggar waits for Ari to finish her preparations. ”Let us go meet these locals and see.” There was no chance of hiding most of their differences or a 7’ gnoll. Stealth was out of the question.
It isn't actually an hour's walk to the small collection of buildings, instead only taking thirty minutes or so to climb down the rather mercifully inclined cliff face down to the field. The farmers tending the crops don't pay you much attention (unless you decide to try and disturb their crops for some reason) and mostly keep to themselves, a hand wave or two and a called out greeting as you pass by the only interaction you get from the busy dwarves out in the field.
It's only once you get closer to the buildings, which look similar to various caravanserai that you've seen in other places, that you get more interaction. About two dozen dwarves (and only a handful of other races like humans and even one halfling trader) mill about the small area all conducting business in a handful of buildings around, of varying types. Wheelbarrows move trade goods from place to place, crops wagons roll through on their way to the main gates, bags are loaded onto the back of horses. A large two-story building seems to serve as the main inn and social hub of the area, with signs pointing out that they do in fact serve meals and ale there.
A heavily armed and armored dwarf exits the first small building on the left as you arrive, holding up a hand for you to stop. "Halt." he says, seeming gruff until he speaks again. "Welcome to the Brazenthrone Caravanseri! What business have you to declare?"
While delighted that someone else had magic, Rutilux does take the time to sleep. He rests and recovers as best he may in the eight hours and wakes nearly fully healed, and more importantly, his blood once more pulses with the full power of the storm.
And what a thing to wake up to, a sun touched farm! The halfling can’t help but smile at it. He loves Selune, but it is nice to see such light again.
He nods with Shaggar, ”Honesty is best as much as we dare. Dwarves don’t much care for liars in my experience and while they can be a bit brusque, are canny enough to spot them. Obviously that doesn’t mean we have to tell them certain details but still.”
The halfling waves to various farmers and smiles at them as they go trying to set minds or concerns of any dwarves at ease. After all, if this little halfling isn’t worried about being near a big huge hulking gnoll, then the gnoll can’t be that bad, and so on. At least, that’s Rutilux’s thought of one of his contributions to help the group.
A heavily armed and armored dwarf exits the first small building on the left as you arrive, holding up a hand for you to stop. "Halt." he says, seeming gruff until he speaks again. "Welcome to the Brazenthrone Caravanseri! What business have you to declare?"
”Well met, good sir,” Rutilux answers, ”I’m Rutilux Freewind, of the Freewind trading family and ...” He looks around, ”This is the prettiest area I’ve seen in a long while.” He means that too, ”We’ve had some rough patches, attacked by stirges and all.. so if my companions are amendable, I sure would like a full meal and maybe a pint in this fine inn to start. What’s your name and clan if I might inquire, sir?”
”Honesty is best as much as we dare. Dwarves don’t much care for liars in my experience and while they can be a bit brusque, are canny enough to spot them.”
"I suppose I'd better keep quiet and skulk at the back then," Ari says teasingly. She spends a while taming her hair with oil, slicking down her usually bouffant mane so it takes on a wet look and dabbing a little on her face and hands. She stands straighter than normal and slips into a long, navy blue trench coat and fastens a wide belt around it. "Haliyouna Eventide," she says, gesturing at herself to elucidate the unfamiliar name. "Merchant from the Gate, born of the water - kin to elementals, nixies, mermaids and the like."
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Shagger watches Ari transform into Haliyouna with a certain level of amusement. After she introduces herself, he follows suit. "Shaggar... still of the Bedine, still a gnoll."
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”Go wrestle with Umberlee, you oversized mutt,” Ari-as-Haliyouna replies gruffly. Then, in her normal voice, Ari adds, ”I thought it was funny, even if my watery friend here doesn’t share my sense of humour.” She then rearranges her face to look sternly at Shaggar.
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The gnoll blinks. "Haliyouna is mean," he says, even more amused.
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Sasha helps ensure her companions are fully healed before they rest, expending the rest of her healing magic and then settling down to rest against Pheliks and sleep as well as she can. The strange descent and environment don't make it easy, but when she does finally rest she sleeps soundly against her furry companion...
...To wake up to an entirely unexpected sight. "How in the...?" she mumbles before settling into a watchful silence. The light is enough like the sun topside that she is momentarily dazzled by it, so she puts her hood up and takes a moment to adjust herself while the others get ready. "Here I was expecting to be able to see..." whined the oracle to herself unhappily, before following the others and trying to make the best of the unexpected situation.
Once resigned to the light and appearance of farmland, Sasha is less awe-struck. She waves nonchalantly and at the entrance to the town begins to watch closely for how the residents will react - or not - to Pheliks' presence. As Rutilux introduces himself she approaches the front to greet the dwarf too. "Good...day?...sir. I am Sasha, touched of the goddess Selûne. As you can see, we have a diverse company. Will we be welcome in your city? Pheliks here," she gestures to the tiger, "is only the third best behaved of our company. Rutilux here is first, with Shaggar, our gnoll friend in second place. We three ladies have been known to cause some heartaches, but we will do our best to let off any suitors gently!" She says with a joking smile.
Rutilux chuckles at Sasha's words, "Sasha's too kind, but we do hope we're welcome for as I said, this place is a pleasant delight to behold."
The guard nods, seemingly approving of Rutilux's approach both in stating his purpose and family, and inquiring of the dwarf's own family.
"I am Tharvik, of the Stonebrand clan." he answers proudly, saluting the halfling. "It is good to hear of more trader-folk coming around these parts, we always need more trade going in and out of the city. Be sure to stop by the various traders we have around here, see if anything is to your liking."
The dwarf startles a bit upon Sasha's words, as if he hadn't fully processed the group had a gnoll and a tiger with it. "Well, if you two vouch for the two beasts, who am I to object? I've never had any issues with gnolls down here, so I guess it should be okay." he says, laughing. His body shakes with the laughter, his gut jiggling just a bit too much. Must be a safe posting, if the guards look like he does.
"It's good to have you here, head on over to the Caravanseri, the biggest building there, and I'm sure you'll be taken care of nicely. Tell 'em that Tharvik sent you, and they should get you set up with a good hot meal and a nice fresh ale. Just be sure you behave!"
It takes you a while to figure it out, but eventually you do: none of them cast shadows from the surprising sunlight, even though you most certainly do.
Sasha smiles and nods in agreement, content to head to the inn first and see what there is to see there.
Hearing Sasha's whine, Kiley smiles and moves next to the priestess to give her a comforting hug.
"I'd much rather have the stars overhead, too," she quietly admits to Sasha.
While Rutilux and Sasha introduce everyone, Kiley stays next to Shaggar, more for her own piece of mind than to assuage any suspicions the others might have of him.
"Thank you for honoring us with your name and clan, Tharvik," The halfling nods "I think I will head towards the Caravanseri as you suggest it. Many thanks again." And that is where he plans to go, though he hopes someone joins him.
After Rutilux and Sasha have spoken, Ari clasps hands with Tharvik and looks the dwarf square in the eye. "Well met, Tharvik. I'm Haliyouna Eventide. Let's ride the proverbial wave over to this caravanserai then."
Ari clasps the mans' hand, and he grips her back in a surprisingly strong handshake for one with the build he has. "Go on then, get over there and get yourself a nice hot meal." he says, nodding over to the main building before stepping back towards his little guard house.
As you make your way towards the caravanserai, you pass by two shops: the supplies trader , which looks to be an electric blue haired gnome hosting a business selling all sorts of adventuring supplies and various pieces of equipment to her clientele, and the crafts trader , where a burly female dwarf is cutting huge rolls of cloth into various shapes alongside crates and crates of materials outside the front door. She waves at you as you approach, beginning to spiel her pitch about why you should own the season's newest cloth craze: purple spider-silk robes.
"Do we need any supplies? Flasks of oil from there? Under dark small clothes from the other?" Rutilux inquires of his friends "Or I could chat either up and seek to learn more." He longs for a hot meal and bed, for halflings are creatures of comfort when they can be but he doesn't wish to neglect the mission.
Despite her somber mood, Kiley perks up when she hears about the spider-silk robes. Purple is not her color, having always favored greens and blues. Still, she welcomes the distraction from replaying the horrors she dreamt on the way down and wanders over.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am. Do you have anything in my size," she asks the proprietress.
"Honestly? I'd like to get out of the light for a moment," answers Sasha, shading her eyes as best she can from the ubiquitous ambient sunlight.
Shaggar nods politely to the locals as he passes.
Seeing Kiley stop to talk to the dwarf, and Sasha complain about sunlight, Rutilux suggests "Let's get some shadow over at this clothing shop for a second then?"
Hands thrust into her coat pockets, Ari shrugs. "As you will."
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Sasha glances at Kiley and notes her enthusiastic expression. With a shrug she hunches deeper into her cloak, smiling as she follows her friends to the shop and tries to find shade...anywhere...
As you approach closer, you can read the shining purple sign hanging above the front door: "Yrvara’s Silken Wares". The dwarf woman out front isn't actually Yrvara, apparently, as she directs you inside the shop itself.
Sasha will love the inside of the shop, actually, as it is mostly shrouded in darkness. A scattering of candles on large silver holders illuminate the room dimly, revealing a large set of tables covered in various clothing items of all sorts. A quick glance reveals that most of the clothes are in the darker range of shades, and a look at the proprietor of the establishment reveals a hint at why: an elegantly dressed pale skinned elf stands behind the counter, not a dwarf.
Sitting against the back wall is a large cage (about 5 by 5) which contains a surprising occupant: a spider about the size of a large dog. Seems as if you've found one of the sources of the spidersilk.
"Ah, welcome to Yrvara’s Silken Wares!" she calls out as you enter. "I'm Yrvara, the seamstress here at Silken Wares."
"I beg your pardon, ma'am. Do you have anything in my size," she asks the proprietress.
"Why, of course! We have something for everyone, I assure you." she says, motioning Kiley over and picking up several long pieces of clothing. "What can I help you find?" Yrvara asks with a wide reassuring smile.
The building did seem to be a silk shop at one point, but it has clearly been some amount of time since it was so. The boards of the floor have nearly rotted away, the cabinets are empty and the glass from the tops of display cases has long been smashed open. The cage still exists, though its fine shiny metal bars have long since rusted away, though the dead spider carapace sitting in the cage is most certainly real.
There is no one inside the shop, and when he turns around to look outside the door, the view outside is one completely different than the one he saw just a moment ago. The once-fine front of the caravanserai is similarly dilapidated and long ago rotting wood hangs from rust-covered metal fence posts. All of the people that were milling about just a moment ago, dwarves and others alike, are all gone completely. Not a single sign of anything living in this place can be seen anywhere.
Sasha smiles in relief, settling back and watching Kiley shop without much interest in joining her - but plenty of interest enjoying the darker confines.
Rutilux enters in all smiles. He touches a sample of the material, then his face grows intense, as if concentrating. He mutters a few words under his breath.
Kiley finds herself fast forgetting the night before as she takes in the shop's wares and the lovely Yrvara herself.
"Well, I was hoping for something that could stand up to the rough and tumble of adventuring, and some scarves. I, um--" she hesitates for a moment, realizing that there's one part of her anatomy that differs from most other humans and demi-humans that might make finding a pair of pants that fit correctly a bit of a challenge. "Th-there's also a bit of--ah--a unique condition that I have. I-is there someplace we could talk in private," she asks.
"Kiley, may want to hold up on that..." the halfling whispers to her as he sorts...something out.
Kiley looks at Rutilux with a quizzical expression.
"What do you mean," she whispers back.
I-is there someplace we could talk in private,
The pale skinned elf practically glows in the candlelight as she smiles widely. ”Of course, I have many such pieces you can look at, and even try on! Unfortunately, as far as my shop goes, what you see is what you get. So any private conversations you may want to have, will have to be done here.”
She tilts her head at Rutilux’s words and magic, seemingly confused. ”Is everything alright dear?”
"Oh," Kiley says as she blushes a little from her apparent faux pas. She looks around to make sure that no one can see her besides her friends and Yrvara. "Please keep this a secret. My friends already know," she tells the proprietress before carefully lifting up the scarves hiding her tail and uncoiling it from her waist. She turns to reveal where it comes out of the hole that had been made in the seat of the pants she wears to make room for it.
"It's not very comfortable to try snaking it down a pantsleg," she explains.
"It's not all right I..." AND Kiley walks off despite his request.
Why do too talls do that? She couldn't give me five minutes to wait?
To hell with it, I best get it out before they ALL scatter off.
"This is ILLUSION... the shop is in ruins, if you put on clothes here you're liable to end up wearing a whole lot of nothing. Focus your wills, double check your senses. There's rot in the floor boards, display cases are smashed open. And the people themselves are not really here."
Ari lets out a low whistle. ”Barnacles on yer buttocks,” she curses. ”So ye’re saying something smells salty and we shouldn’t believe our eyes?” She looks to Rutilux to confirm what he’s just said. ”Happy to take yer word for it, but why?”
Sasha looks taken aback by Rutilux's words, looking around with concern. "Illusion? Are we in danger too?" she asks Pheliks quietly. Then she bows her head and prays, invoking a spell like her halfling friend's and gazing about the shop.
"Illusion, not real, fakery, phantasm, deceit... bespellment" He adds "Because it didn't quite take hold on me and when I followed up detecting magic, well.." he says "Powerful illusion. I'd like to say the storm in my blood rendered me resilent but more like it is just halfling luck."
Shaggar has no reason to doubt the vehemence of the little halfling.
Rutilux says "Here... something that might help" And he steps THROUGH where the Seamstress is, holds there, and makes a motion above his head "I should now be wearing your elf seamstress as a HAT. Elf Hat, funny, but not supposed to be possible."
Kiley goes ashen pale as the illusion fades and she can see the truth of this place. The fur on her tail stands on end as her pupils narrow into slits. She brings out her greatsword in a flash of steel and looks about as she tears the keffiyah from her head to let her ears stand up and hear without impediment. She holds her breath as she listens and watches for whatever is trying to lure them into a trap as her heart thunders in her chest.
With a tired sigh Sasha closes her eyes and opens them again, a bit of relief that the light has dimmed but aware that the party may be under imminent attack. "Does anyone see any attackers?" she asked as she made sure Pheliks was not under the illusion's spell either with a deliberate motion through some of the "shop's" walls...
"I didn't see any.. though to be fair, mostly I'm disappointed the Inn is probably just as fake. We Hin are a luxury loving folk I admit it."
Sasha finds the actual walls of the structure to be as real and solid as anything else she's found in her life so far. The actual buildings are there, just not in the state the illusion wanted her to think it was.
A quick look through this small ruined clothes shop reveals loads of ruined and ultimately worthless, but Sasha's investigation of the walls and display cases turns up an interesting find: a dark hooded cloak is decorated with embroidered comets, moons, and stars along its edge. It seems to have survived the long years more so than anything else in this rotting building or town for that matter, should Rutilux be right about the rest of the town.
Before she can take too close of a look at it, however, a strange eerie musical voice pours out from somewhere above the main caravanserai building. It cascades down the walls, reaching into the silk shop to caress your ears gently. A beautiful voice...
...that Kiley, Sasha, Ari, and Pheliks feel the overwhelming urge to walk towards. Enchanted, even, using the most direct means possible.
Init: Round 1
19- Kiley
14- Sasha
11- Ari
8- Rutilux
6- singer
4- Shaggar
The singing soothes Kiley's frayed nerves as she slowly lowers her sword and her tail droops while the fur on it returns to normal. Her eyes turn glassy, and she drops her blade and walks out of the shop and towards the sound of the music. Something about the timbre of the voice reminds the tiefling of her mother.
vs DC 16
Though she makes an effort, bolstered by divine blessing, Sasha turns from her discovery and walks, urgently, with Pheliks towards the sound of the singing.