Vildran relays the request to San. He's not enthusiastic about separating the head and wonders if its easier to just bring the whole body.
It may be precarious to bring it over the pit. Hopefully they will come out and inspect it.
"Oh, we already took care of that. I'll go get it." Despite his willingness to go behead an enemy, San hesitates as he stands over the body. Grimacing, he gets to work removing the head. Arriving back at the hole he asks Vildran to translate "Can we just toss it over there? I'm not sure I want to try balancing across this ledge while holding it."
"Sounds like they won't mind the additional desecration of the corpse," Morga remarks dryly, her frowning with impotent disapproval. "But you should ask them if that's okay first," she adds to Vildran.
With the approval of the voice, San throws the grisly proof of your allegiance across the pit and toward the turn in the tunnel. You see a clawed, grey furred hand reach out and snatch the head before retreating from view. Several very unpleasant squelching sounds follow, along with some murmurs and likely foul things said in a language you don't recognize. They continue on for a minute or two this way before they turn back to speaking in gnomish.
"This one had killed several of our kin himself and it is a delight to see him torn apart. His eyeballs are going to be quite the delicious supper as well. You were true to your words after all and you have done us an important service."
Out from beyond the corner of the tunnel you hear the flapping of heavy wings for a moment before a truly ungainly furred creature flies out. This odd humanoid has some gnomish features, but otherwise seems to be some kind of humanoid bat with tattered wings. Her gleaming red eyes squint at your light and she doesn't get too close to you. "I am Kikogamm. So long as you do not encroach upon us, we will have no quarrels. If you're looking for the Darklands, you have found them. They are all around us. The layers closest to the surface world at least. As for the boggards, you speak of the tribe down the eastern tunnels? They are foolish creatures, but we tolerate them and they leave us alone. For that they are better than most."
"But to come from the surface just for some boggards is strange. Surfaceworlders always want something more, no?"
San fights back the surprise and revulsionat the sight of the bar thing. Attempting to maintain a dialog, he answers the translation. "Well, the boggards were trapped there by the surface worlders that were allied with that derro. We're also after them. They want so summon some demon and turn the world to rust. We don't particularly like that idea so we aim to stop them. Helping the boggards along the way seemed like the right thing to do."
Kikogamm perches at the edge of the pit and answers San "You want to kill the other surfaceworlders? Wonderful. Wonderful! And you are kind souls as well. In that case maybe we can get you something to help you."
"We know of a place where an adventurer breathed their last breath long before we even came here. They left some shiny things. We were going to save them for an emergency, but these claws are clumsy things for wielding weapons. You on the other hand could make use of them against the demon summoners." Kikogamm grins rather with delight at the thought. "After you leave we will retrieve them. Come back here a little later and they will be waiting for you."
Autumn whispers to the others
Maybe it's better to not ask for any more details. I'd rather not risk changing their minds about helping us...
Vildran nods. Turning back to the creature across the pit he accepts.
He looks at the others and begins to step away from this place.
Morga bows respectfully to the bat-like people, then turns to go explore the tunnel that leads south. They probably mean that skeleton on the ledge across the chasm, she muses. That's handy. Glad we didn't spend a bunch of time and effort trying to do that ourselves.
San follows the others away from the lair of the bat-people. But where to next? East is the only logical way to go. "How long do they need? We aren't planning to stop our exploration just yet. Let's at least scout out the east tunnel."
Vildran nods. My thoughts exactly. There is a little uncertainly left to remove on this level.
Kikogamm nods in acknowledgement before she flaps her way back down the tunnel into what seems to be some bat-creature hidey hole.
You turn your attention to the remaining tunnel to the east. The initial entrance to the tunnel is narrow and damp and you have to squeeze through awkwardly in spots as it turns and descends along a cold rivulet. The tunnel ends up opening in a low-ceilinged cavern with a floor that gently slopes down to the south where there's a shallow muddy pool. All around the pool and on muddy tufts within grow a multitude of mushrooms. Both exits from the chamber lie to the north.
Four deep boggards of a similar variety to the ones you met upstairs wade in the muddy pool, picking mushrooms. Each carries a satchel of pickings, has a sickle in hand, and is dressed in loose grey robes. One happens to look up from her work and her eyes go wide. She points her sickle at your group and shouts in alarm!
San quickly produces the badge that shows they are friends of the boggards. "Wait! Gurga gave us these to mark us as friend! Please don't try to fight us!" San doesn't mention it but the thought crosses his mind, It probably wouldn't end well for you all.
"We've been trying to make the way safe for Gurga and the others with her to return home." Morga holds out the hand that isn't bearing a shield to show that she holds no weapon.
The boggards here don't seem to understand you very well, but they recognize the badges that Gurga and the other boggards fashioned for you, and that proves to do wonders. All four brighten and you hear croaks of "Friend-mark, friend-mark, wow, wow, wow!" in rough common. After their initial excitement they look a little confused. They scurry about looking at your group and the tunnel behind you before asking "Gurga where? Lost? Long wait. Very long."
Vildran points vaguely upward.
Gurga up. Take you to her?
IF they do not seem to understand, he will try it in all of the languages that he knows.
San has a momentary thought of Kikogamm's opinion of the boggards being correct. Allowing Vildran time to try to effectively communicate, San eventually chimes in, "Or we bring Gurga to you? Is your way home clear? We were told 'if we find clan mates, we know we are close'. That sounds to me like if we make it here, we can bring Gurga and her friends."
"Hm. Yes. We bring Gurga here?" Morga enunciates clearly, trying not to sound insulting while doing so.
The boggards exchange looks as they listen and attempt to make sense of your meaning. Eventually you're able to get through to them that you can bring Gurga here, sending them into a round of excited chatter. They seem pretty happy at the suggestion and point northward to the tunnel to the right of the one you entered through. "Bring to village! We go. Tell chief Glutu!" And with that they gather their mushroom satchels and scurry northward to share the good news.
---
As for yourselves, you're able to make it back up the long stairs to the basement of Rusthenge, through the enormous statue room, and then back up to the magical laboratories. It's quite the climb going back up, reminding you just how far under ground you've descended to confront Meitremar and this cult. Once back at the first basement floor of Rusthenge, you head back to the quarters of Gurga and the other two boggards with her. Gurga greets you and asks for news of the path down to the Darklands, and a somewhat recovered Ordwi is there soon after to ask how your delve has progressed.
Ordwi comments "You don't seem too worse for wear, but you were gone for quite some time. I was starting to worry."
Well.. he starts, cracking his knuckles.
We found the other boggards and seemingly the way into the darklands. We can take you to them, a path cleared of dangers!
He waits to see how she receives the news. Hopefully excited.
Responding to Ordwi, "Not sure if you remember but those derro that were coming after you on your ship and on that island that sparked our involvement in this situation. They were sent by one Ziaox. Well, we encountered more derro in the cavern below including Ziaox. You'll be happy to know that he is no more. And, eliminating that threat has opened the way for Gurga and her tribe to go back home finally."
As they trudge up ever-more stairs, Morga recalls that the destruction demon might still be there. She keeps an eye out for him/it as they traverse that level.
Earlier while you were ascending past the chamber where you encountered the abrikandilu, Morga briefly stops and listens for any sign of the creature. Eventually she hears sounds of crunching down the tunnel, faint, almost like it's trying to be quiet. It seems like the demon is not too interested in encountering you again, or maybe is just biding its time.
The three boggards upstairs cheer at the news, hopping about. Gurga says "You are very good friend-allies. Yes, definitely. We grab our treasures and go with you."
Meanwhile Ordwi nods at the news from San "The dero that attacked us back on the ship... I was wondering why. It still seems strange they would travel such a distance, maybe through the Darklands, just to attack us. Especially if you found their leader here." She smiles at the cavorting boggards and adds "In any case I feel a little refreshed now. If you wish I can join you below. From your stories though it seems I could also put my talents to use back in town. You know your enemy and your capabilities well at this point, better than I. So I'll defer to your judgement."
To Ordwi, "Apparently you are important to their plans. Vildran was able to read a tattoo on Zaiox that was a letter telling him to come capture you. Something about a debt being fulfilled if he did it. The fact he was still hanging around means he probably got betrayed by Metrimar. He even hinted as much while we were fighting."
Considering her offer to join them, San thinks through a few possibilities out loud. "You were obviously targeted for a reason. Maybe your devotion to the Cayden was of particular interest to them. But they left you for quite a while... perhaps they don't need you any longer? In which case there's less risk to bring you down with us.
But if they still need you or someone like you, there's just as much risk for Morga as there is for you. If that's the situation, you may as well come with us. One more person would be a boon in this fight. Especially if they were more successful with this summoning ritual than we hope."
Shrugging, he looks to the rest of the party for opinions.
Morga goes silent as a stone at Ordwi's question. Finally, she speaks. "There are sick townspeople up there who need a cleric's healing. I...can't be in two places at once, and my great-aunt..." She squeezes her lips and eyes shut for a moment to compose herself. "Can you heal the rust creep? Because if you can..." She can't speak anymore, but stands there gripping her shield with white knuckles.
"Come capture me on the boat?" Ordwi frowns "That seems quite extreme. And unwarranted. I'm certainly no one important, just a humble retired adventurer. And none of what I heard from Meitremar or his allies suggested that there was anything too special to me getting caught. Though I suppose I wasn't quite in a good enough of a mental state to hear all of it, especially nearer to the end there." She pauses, then shakes her head, troubled by the concept.
To Morga she answers "I have no special magic to remove diseases, but I've treated the sick before in more conventional ways. If there are still those suffering in town, I can like do some good there. And if your great-aunt is with them then... we'll have to do our best to keep this disease at bay. I'm certain she's fighting right now." She pats Morga reassuringly.
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Autumn frowns slightly, unsure of the safety of conclusions around Metrimar and his ritual needs.
It's still possible Metrimar meant to return for Ordwi. Perhaps the risk to Morga is the same, but... the sick above need one of them as well. I'd defer to Morga and Ordwi to decide who, but I will say we're pretty used to Morga's fetch fighting style. She certainly blocks hostile creatures from getting to Vildran. she states flatly. She's pretty sure Morga will volunteer to continue the dangerous path.
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Vildran's antennae start doing little squat-dances along with the enthusiasm of the boggards.
Yes! We can help you rejoin them. Then you can proceed back to your homelands.
The choices are put to Ordwi and Vildran generally concurs: We've gotten through quite a bit danger so far, the four of us. It doesn't make sense to keep a helping hand away from town.
San nods along with the rest of the group. "Morga ran herself ragged trying to treat just us. I'm sure your skills will be put to good use treating... those who are are still sick." He doesn't mention Morga's great aunt. It's not his story to tell.
Nodding sagely, Morga adds: "Yes, be sure to get enough rest yourself. My condition worsened when I didn't, and it was a bear to fight through to get better. ... Thank you."
Ordwi agrees "Then I'll make my way up. Did you come across my things somewhere down there? Especially my holy symbol? It would be reassuring to have those in case I encounter anything on the way to Stonehome." She of course asks a number of questions about the safest and most direct way back, including any other potential hazards that may have been left behind. Once she's satisfied that she understands the way back she says "Well, if you're taking this fine trio back to their friends, I'll head out immediately myself. I'm as rested as I will be from sleeping on soggy mushrooms, I think."
"Your holy symbol might be in this heavy chest," Morga responds. "Autumn, can you please try unlocking it again?" A little sugar with that "please" ought to mollify Autumn's pride, after having so much trouble with broken lock picks lately. Morga casts Guidance on Autumn right before she begins.
He looks nervously at Autumn.
Um... are you ready to go through some more lockpicks?
Autumn sighs deeply in resign
Don't fail me now, lockicks...
She approaches the chest and motions for Vildran to follow her for repairs.
Autumn buries her face in her hands and without speaking hands her lockpicking kit to Vildran.
His antennae stand on-end, reflecting his sudden anxiety.
Oh!
They've been here before...
Simple Lockpicking in Exploration Mode: By taking a full hour to make a Pick a Lock attempt, you may take a natural 20 as the result of your die. This represents making many attempts, including breaking your picks and repairing them several times.
Autumn takes the lock-picks back and exhales deeply before slowing herself down.
I... rushed before. Everyone, give me an hour before we head out and I'll surely have this box open.
She looks up at Owdri.
I'm betting your holy symbol is in here...
She flashes one last expectant glance at Vildran, until he gets the hint and walks away.
I do NOT need that nervous energy behind me for an hour.
*CLICK*
Working slowly but surely, with a lot of broken picks along the way, Autumn teases out the tumblers of the chest's rather good lock. After an hour's hard work and plenty of assistance from Vildran, the final tumbler falls into place and she opens the chest. Within you find a rather extensive collection of items.
1x rapier
several leather pouches filled with coins, totaling 14 gp and 66 sp.
1x ??? red vial labeled healing potion
1x ??? brown vial
3x ??? white vials
6x ??? small copper flasks
Ordwi takes the rapier and holy symbol, tucking the latter into an inner pocket in her tunic. She checks the rapier and then belts it on with a sigh. "Now that feels much better. I'm sure all of you dears will be just fine down there, but if you need my help, you know where you'll find me." She gives a brief smile "And take care of these three little ones!" She waves to the three boggards and then heads out to start the trek back to town.
Gurga turns to your all as the other two scurry about grabbing things. "We're ready! Lead the way!"
Before they completely depart, Vildran looks over the items Ordwi isn't keeping.
1x ??? red vial labeled healing potion
1x ??? brown vial
3x ??? white vials
6x ??? small copper flasks
Given there's no time constraint at the moment, San provides his insight to Vildran's investigation.
-
---
Together with the boggards, you make the trek down to the lower floors once more. You pass through the temple without any further sign of the demon you cowed and soon find yourselves back in the damp caverns below. Heading east through the tunnels, you reconvene with a couple of boggards that stayed behind in the mushroom pond. Gurga's two underlings rush forward to cavort with their friends while Gurga nods and leads you onward.
Turning northward, you cross a twenty-foot-long bridge made of strange grey timbers that spans a narrow section of the ravine. The bridge creaks and sags rather ominously as you cross it, but holds as Gurga points out the weaker timbers. On the other side you find yourselves at the edge of a vast black lake that stretches out in an enormous cavern. The water is glass-like and still. On the closest shore of the lake, a mud hut stands on a foundation of gray, wood like supports, just over the surface of the water. A pier of the same material allows travel from the hut to the stony cavern shore. Narrow pathways travel around the lake to the east and northwest. A narrow cave opening exits the chamber to the southwest, and a bridge leads to the south.
Several boggards scurry around the scene, though two larger individuals stand in conversation next to the hut. One boggard has a fancy headdress while the other has a club, javelin and curved sword strapped to his back. Gurga leads you to the two of them without hesitation. She calls out something in their native language and the two turn toward you. The armed boggard looks thrilled to see Gurga, while the one in the headdress is a bit more reserved. After their conversation the one with the headdress addresses you in surprisingly good (if croaky) common. "Gurga says you have faced the rust people and won passage for her. You have the thanks of the Black Lake clan. I am Glutu, speaker for Queen Bolargus. What brings you to our home?"
Vildran confirms that the red vial is a lesser healing potion, and identifies the three white vials as lesser antiplagues. The fix copper flasks contain a strangely fruity-smelling water that also turns out to be magical. Vildran identifies them as ration tonics. Only the brown vial evades easy identification, even with San's help. The two of you do confirm that it's an alchemical concoction, but that more or less ends your understanding.
--------------------
Vildran clears his throat, answering
Well met, Glutu. I am Vildran from the surface world. Though you could probably tell that on your own. We believe some more of the rust people passed through here, or nearby here recently heading deeper, or perhaps somewhere else we haven't explored at this level. Their name was Metrimar. Are you familiar with them?
San also chimes in, "He was probably holding this big demon horn. Apparently it's some sort of ritual piece. Not sure what kind of entourage he might have had with him." He holds his hands apart in an approximation of the size of the horn as he mentions it.
"He plans to raise up a demon lord that will destroy everything it can, including your home. We're here to stop him. By whatever means necessary." Morga adds, wanting to avoid any misunderstanding about their intent.
"We know the rust people and the trouble they bring. Many tides ago they came and brought their dero with them. They started searching for something, and every time they found us in the way they attacked. Most of our kin have now fled for the deeper caverns to get away from them and live peacefully." Glutu gurgles his displeasure "My scouts have seen the one with the horn. Many other rust people in robes with him."
"If you want to try to fight them, it will be welcome. We saw them last several tides ago, opening the cursed door." He points to the south west, in the general direction of the broken bridge and grand door you saw when you first descended to this floor. "Since then we have not seen them. With luck the curse will kill them all, but we wait and watch to see."
Though Glutu clearly harbors no love for Meitremar or his helpers, he seems to also be watching you all with some suspicion, despite what must have been Gurga's positive report.
Autumn frowns.
I see you don't entirely trust us just yet. You believe we could have tricked Gurga. I understand. We will return with proof of their demise.
Must we convince the entire underworld that we aren't with these rust people?!
"The curse?" Morga's not sure how much this distrustful boggard will tell them, but it's worth a shot to try.
"That would be welcome." Glutu answers Autumn, before speaking to Morga "The curse! All boggards who try to open the door grow sick and weak, their hide turning brown and wriggly. Of those who tried, none have survived. Now we know to leave it alone." Gurga nods, clearly having seen this particular horror personally.
But... the curse doesn't affect non-boggards?
Vildran asks, a little frightened.
"We don't know, but we expect it will happen to the rust people as well. If it does, or maybe already has, then great! Job done." Glutu grins rather cruelly.