Isani casts Spiritual Weapon and shapes the white energy into a scimitar and directs it to attack the goblin at .
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Isani repeats the gylph she recognised on the forehead and altar, "Shoggoth.".
"Do not touch their bodies until we can decipher these glyphs and sigils. Then we will transport these two honourable men back to Saravale." Isani whispers fervent prayers to the Everlight on behalf of both Mak Morn and Henry Ironhorse, sorry that they had died this way, so far beneath the earth.
Isani draws her scimitar and heeds the directive of the wali. She moves forward as well, ensuring she can be in distance of the party in order to assist and heal.
Isani watches the wali, trying to discern her thoughts. She turns her focus on the space before and around her, hoping to discover more about this place and further trace of the allies lost somewhere within it. Blessed Everlight grant us the wisdom of your sight.
Isani, as she diligently follows the others, reflects on Lia's revelation regarding the text and runes upon the walls.
Isani gestures Lia to her and points to the larger writing, in blood, above the doorway. "Are you able to read these words here, walī?"
translation: walī=protector, helper
Isani moves directly to the statues positioned in the alcoves and studies what features can be still discerned after noting the natural erosion and desecration done to them. She hears Yillim speak of one with elven features. She wanders through her mind, trying to discern any knowledge she may possess about such figures and the significance of their presence, standing watch like some silent guardians.
Isani listens and looks into the darkened corners and strains her eyes longer, toward the tunnel entrance. "The water rose high on my chest and the creature may have swum away to safety or is waiting to attack us swiftly and cunningly. We need to move to higher ground." Looking up at Arasmes still flying in the air, "You are the leader of this expedition and we will consent to your instruction. What do you say, habibi, do we try to escape this foul watery place? For I cannot see how Mister Ironhorse or Mak Morn would wander down into this watery trap when both are experienced cave explorers. Tell me, us, what you want us to do?" Isani's mismatched eyes are full of concern and questions but she knows her place and waits for a command, hoping it comes soon.
Isani tries to recollect all that she saw when the creature first slammed into the back of them.
She speaks quietly beside her companions, "There is a strange feeling in the air, the darkness feels cold and ominous. Moments ago, the water rolled high against my chest and then passed behind me. It seemed to fill the width of the tunnel. I do not like this", she warns the others.
Isani moves just to the side of the three before her, who are readied for the creature's attack. She looks up toward the roof and then peers back down where she last saw the thing, using her darkvision to help her see.
She looks at Arasmes with unfathomable eyes and nods her head once, yielding to his request, aware that time was scarce before the creature would likely strike again. "Everyone who needs healing please gather around, close to me, and I shall endeavour to restore what you have lost through the divine grace of the Everlight." Holding the silver ankh before her and quietly speaking the words, the bright energy flows outward, across those whom Isani has noted and included (selective channeling).
And for good measure, she channels a third time:
So, 17 HP are returned to everyone who came to be healed (Cali, Clari, Yillim ...).
If Clari braces, she will need to be healed because she won't stand a chance if the creature attacks her directly again. Isani lays her hand against Clari's arm and casts Cure Moderate Wound spell on her, Clari's hp are now: 15+11=26 HP. Continues moving to a place behind Clari and any other who braces for an attack.
Noting the mild fascination the spider has with the Nosoi Psychopomp's song and heeding Arasmes' instruction, Isani starts to move back toward the entrance, hoping to put a little distance between the spider and the group. They were too close for comfort at this point.
Instead of attempting to heal by touch, Isani decides to channel healing energy to those of her allies in need (selective channeling, 30 ft radial burst), especially Clari who is now slowly sinking 'neath the surface of the dark water and Yillim who was injured earlier by the creature. Holding her silver ankh, she channels the power of the Everlight through it. She is still also wearing Ariarh's golden dragon amulet which supplements her healing magic, making it stronger.
So in that case it is simply a +2 scimitar attack (using my previous rolls): Isani drawing her +2 Scimitar, attacks the creature: Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Isani's Crit on Scimitar: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Isani stops moving toward the entrance (she is 80-85 ft from the creature, I believe??) and turns around in the direction of the creature currently being attacked by her companions. She casts and a magical weapon of bright light in the shape of a scimitar appears before her, hovering. She directs it toward the creature and attacks.
Isani casts on herself as she tries to push her way through the waist deep water and back toward the entrance as Arasmes commanded. She feels the half-elf's hand around her wrist, aiding her movement. She whispers a fervent prayer to the Everlight, "Blessed Everlight, lend us the strength of the Light and keep us from harm."
Isani calls out, "Look, there, a light beneath the water! Caution yourselves."
"We entered the Spider's Nest when the sun was at its highest point in the sky. I would humbly suggest that we are mindful of the hours which pass and we do not stay below when it is dark. I believe another two hours below ground should suffice in determining whether our friends are in these caves or not. That will give us time to retrace our steps out of these flooded passageways and depart without additional threats."
"Arasmes, we need to remove this foul water or decrease it to below our knees. Can we summon a creature who can aid us in this?"
"We have not heard a sound in this forgotten place, apart from those of our making, habibi. I wonder at the predicament of Misters Mak Morn and Ironhorse. May the gods protect us all and reveal the evils that lurk within the dark. Blessed Everlight shine your light on us and upon that which cannot be seen."
"If we were not specifically searching for allied friends, then I would declare wading through this fetid water a rather unwise decision. However, we must determine if they have been trapped somehow in here or not."
Isani bows her head to the strange man and wonders privately why he believes the party would not follow Arasmes and Caliphana and simply leave them defenseless (well, without support since both the summoner and Caliphana were not entirely defenseless). It would do no good to split the group and have each move into the western and eastern caverns because precedence showed them they were stronger as one and anytime they divided, danger seemed imminent and deadly. Isani waits her turn to cross to Arasmes' side. She defers to Arasmes' judgement, "Do we leave Clari and Lia here, on higher ground, ready with their bows? Or should they accompany us inside the cavern?"
"Perhaps we can tie a rope around each other and move steadily to the entrance of that passageway? So, if one potentially slips on the rocks and begins to fall toward the dirty water, the others joined weight may be able to steady them enough and pull them back? I do not advise swimming in this water, Mister Dross, for it has much filth and could bring disease upon us."
"I did not swim overly much in Sothis but I do know how to swim. My skill lies in breathing beneath water. My lungs are better able to do so than others I know."
Isani moves forward, mindful of the slippery rocks but also concerned for Yillim who slipped and fell into the murky water. She sees him resurface and draws a relieved breath. She casts and retrieves his torch from the water, moving it to the rocks beside Yillim. "Are you alright, Mister Dross?", once again hoping her voice does not carry across the large chamber, even though Yillim's splash would have caught the attention of another if it were present with them but hidden in the cavern. Looking at Arasmes on the mention of having to swim, she politely responds to Yillim with, "Arasmes is not a strong swimmer. I, however, can hold my breath beneath water longer than most." Isani is not bragging just simply stating a fact.
With softness of voice, although the caverns seem to be carrying their words aloft, Isani answers Yillim, "Climbing the staircase will take all our strength of wills. The Lady Ariarh only managed to climb half way before having to turn back. Perhaps we should find an alternative method upward and these side tunnels may provide us with such a way. I say let us explore the side tunnels."
"Yes, Lady Ariarh mentioned the Black Stone which drained magical energy, voiding its effects and usefulness. We must not waste spells in its vicinity. The water below us is lapping against this cliff we stand upon. It is being pushed yet I cannot see what it is forcing the water forward. There may be something in the water. I recollect the Lady Ariarh mentioning they had come across an Undead Serpent guarding this underground lake. I am unsure if they dispatched it upon their last mission, so all be mindful of the water." Hearing Arasmes suggesting channeling, she nods slowly, "I shall try when we are closer, Arasmes."
Isani watches as the lit arrows elevate and cross the darkness from both bows. Using her darkvision and then the light beyond that point, she strains to see anything of import, especially hidden monsters or their missing allies.
A thought crosses her mind as she looks, What if our allies were taken lower, deeper beneath the earth?
Having not heard a reply from Arasmes regarding her information, she turns to any companion close enough to hear her restrained voice and warns them that something has broken through the wall causing the opening and that they should proceed with due caution.
Isani tugs at Arasmes' sleeve to gain his attention. In soft voice she shares her observations with him, "The tunnel has been fashioned by tools and the opening there is a doorway. Yet, see the rocks and refuse at the base of the doorway? They are not native to the stone that is on the walls. It looks as though someone has brought rock from the outside here and attempted to wall up this opening. Although unsuccessfully because it seems as though something tore down the rocks to enter. I do not like the look of this, habibi. The foul smell in this cavern is coming from beyond that entrance."
Isani looks about her, taking in the surroundings using her darkvision and if further afield then the magical light off Lia's scimitar. About 40 feet in front she spies an opening in the far wall...
Isani gently strokes Sadiki's cheek, patiently awaiting the order to take to the saddle and ride to the Spider's Nest. Addressing the Foreign Ambassador, "What is our riding order, Arasmes?"
Isani bows before Lady Ariarh and hearing Arasmes' words in their native tongue, smiles gently and blushes. in Osiriani to Arasmes: "May our quest to find our allies be fruitful and may the gods protect them. I always enjoy riding beside you, habibi."
"I shall accompany you and the others, Arasmes. When will we be leaving for the Spider's Nest? I have heard that Mister Ironhorse's wife is distraught by his enduring absence and lack of word."
Isani listens as Yillim speaks of scaring the information out of the followers. "Mister Dross, the seven men who survived the blast and fire are safely held in the barracks. They are currently disoriented and we have no idea whether they have been inserted with these tiny parasites but I would hazard a guess and say they have been. If they have, then no matter of learned interrogation or scare tactics will benefit us or them for their will is not their own and forcing them to go against their master's orders will lead to pain and possible death. The best solution is to find a safe way to remove these parasitic creatures from their hosts. Perhaps then we may simply ask these men questions and they may answer us without the need for forceful interrogation. We cannot forget they are innocent people who have been caught up in the lies and deception propagated by the late al-Kazeem and his cultists. I do not believe they had any idea the Black Kota would take away their ability to think and act of their own free will. Quite a tragedy and one we as a Council cannot allow to occur again." "So, we must learn more about these tiny scorpion-like creatures, and apply that knowledge without delay and cure these innocents."
Isani faces Brett and begins to disclose what she and Arasmes had discovered in the building owned by the cultists. "We were met by eight of their followers who seemed dangerous but also confused and not functioning in the proper way. We appeared to be on the verge of getting through to them when another came out from the building - the one left in charge -- his name was "Smyth", a false name of course, which he admitted to. He was a cunning creature and while he spoke to us in conciliatory, friendly fashion he had ordered one of his men to set the building ablaze, but not before "Smyth" inserted a knife up into his brain, ending himself before we could question him. The Foreign Ambassador and I summoned two elementals -- one to put out the fire and the other to carry the smoke far from Saravale. One guard perished inside the building possibly due to the blast and fire. We discovered alchemical solutions in clay jars and they seemed to have blown apart like bombs. All the scrolls and documents contained within the building were destroyed except for one page untouched by the blaze which had a scrap of paper attached with information regarding creatures -- an insect indigenous to the deep deserts in the south west of Osirion, closer to Mwangi. Also inside the chamber, we discovered 18 glass cages, 6 inches deep, 12 inches high and 1 foot wide containing 3 inches of sand and tiny, scorpion-like creatures. All but one perished and I undertook healing so it could live and be further examined. We surmised the creatures were important to the cultists or why else would they seek to destroy them all. I have compiled a report and have it here for you all to read. It seems these creatures were forced into the skulls of individuals and used to steal the will of their hosts, turning them into a sort of mindless slave, open to suggestions of the master. Councilman Rowan you may read the findings for yourself." Handing over the report to the Holbyt with a small respectful bow. Report for all to read: The creature is a small Vermin type creature and is carnivorous. It goes into another creature, feasting on its flesh like a maggot. However, it should be noted that if these tiny creatures are deliberately forced into the skull, typically through the ear, sometimes the eye, then the creature will typically burrow its way inwards toward the brain, chewing through the ear canal until it reaches the brain’s cerebral cortex, then burrowing deeper until is able to wrap around the base of the cortex. There, the tiny scorpion-like creature will continue to gnaw and feast on the brains electronic impulses – it takes power from electric energy and it can gain energy from electricity. However, it should be noted that a victim, if it is so bonded by one of these creatures, will become extremely open to suggestion. This victim, or host creature, will then be forced to bind all of its free will to the suggestions of the first creature that it comes in contact with. In short, it is believed that these scorpion creatures have proto-psychic tendencies which can override the mind of a host creature. This power is done by strangling off the ability to reason and devours the part of the brain relating to free will. These wild insects have been bred, specifically for the purpose to be forced into the cranium of victims so that they bond with the brain of said victims and so that the victims are left open to suggestion. A victim, even if they are so bonded, may be able to resist the suggestion, possibly. But if so, the scorpion-like beast that binds itself to the brain will simply constrict tighter and cause the victim pain. Once the victim has been Bonded by the first creature it sees, then each time the victim decides to go against decision that is contrary to the will of the master, they may resist that action. However, they must suffer damage each time they resist. This will continue to be done until the creature is dead or the victim. More on how the creature can be killed when it is bonded to a victim may be discovered but not without appropriate research. Conducting this research on the living creature will take time and effort. Discovering the remaining victims is imperative as is discovering a method of curing them of these parasites.
Isani channels healing energy once and then a second time toward the tiny creature clinging to life in the glass jar and concentrates the healing on it.
"Arasmes, this one lives still but has been wounded. I would like to heal it so we may study it further. What say you?" Isani draws closer to the small glass cage and looks at the tiny creature.
Indeed. Well – more on the results soon – I’ll wait to see if Isani wants to toss up an “assist” – though at this point I don’t think it will matter. Even so – I think I’m going to crash out; then I’ll post up some tomorrow.
Isani takes Arasmes extended arm with a small nod of thanks and carefully enters the still smoldering stone building. She raises her arm to her nose so she does not breathe in the polluted air and gag on the acrid smell inside the building. Fortunately, the air elemental had cleared away the troublesome clouds of dark smoke. As she scans the room, she adjusts her eyes passed the steam rising from certain places (thanks to the work done by Arasmes' water elemental to put out the blaze), trying to see what was so important inside that al-Kazeem's thugs had to set a whole building on fire to conceal the truth. Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
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