Onyx remained in the shadows, watching silently. They are real!
As his companions offered their aid he remained in the shadows, wanting to wait a bit longer in case they were being deceived.
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... In response to Damon and Stella, Onyx pulled his short bow from his shoulder and said quietly "I'll take a wide berth and stay in the shadows. We need allies, but my poor attempt at diplomacy didn't do any of us favours back there. Stella, you say these may be the cursed former crusaders? I still don't know if I believe the rumours, but I hope they aren't as bitter as I would be if I were forced underground for generations. Be safe, both of you." With that Onyx pulled his hood tight and hugged the wall, skulking in the shadows while keeping both his allies and the humans in sight.
Onyx did his best to hide his smile "A pun? From you? Damon, I expected more from a Knight of the Sunrise Sword! Maybe mine, or one of the other higher forms of humour." He pulled his bag from his shoulder and started to unravel the rope. He looked to the party "Who's up for impersonating our Dwarven friend and climbing some walls?"
Onyx's grin widens and he puts a hand on Stella's shoulder
Onyx stands next to Stella, hands on his hips and looks up the incline. He tests a few of the old pitons and handholds then turns to her, smiling. "Ropes. We can get some people up top, and we can feed ropes down to our injured companions. I'll climb up in advance and replace any loose pitons or hammer in new ones if there is a difficult gap. If we go slowly and carefully enough it shouldn't be too difficult. What do you think? Oh, and who's Onyx?"
In an attempt to get a better angle, Onyx moved towards the fire pit and fired another arrow. Stormbrow is down... if we can't put an end to this soon we're going to be in trouble. Pulura, don't fail me now
Onyx smiled, satisfied that his arrow (finally) flew true. He hoped the Dwarf wouldn't have much left.
At Horgus' remark, Onyx flushed and he gripped his bow tightly, knuckles white.
The distress behind his smile wasn't difficult to see.
Onyx drew another arrow and took aim at the mad Dwarf
Onyx's shoulders slumped as he sighed deeply "You damn fool! Are you trying to get yourself killed, because that's how you get yourself killed!" Feeling guilty that his interference was, at least, partially responsible for Kokam's injury, Onyx quickly nocked an arrow and fired at the insane Dwarf.
The arrow missed its mark and clattered uselessly to the ground Pulura, why have you abandoned me so? Your guidance has always been so sure...
Onyx moved forward, stepping out of the shadows and raised his hands. "Damon, wait. Whoever he is he seems more afraid of us than anything else. We must have startled him. Please stay your hand for a few seconds, maybe we don't need to end this in bloodshed." He looked towards the Dwarf and projected his voice "Sir Dwarf, we mean you no harm, but if you cast on any of us again we are going to have a problem. I am Onyx Duskrunner. What may we call you?"
Onyx raises a hand, signaling the non-combatants to stay put. He then slowly advances 20-30 feet behind Damon, trying to keep him in sight while staying out of the torchlight.
He looked to the rest of the party. "Well done, all of you. Kokam, did you take that one out by yourself?! Stella, I'm not sure what your plan was, but it seemed to be effective..."
Onyx drew a third arrow and was about to fire it into the darkness once again when it blinked out, and he could see three of his allies standing where the darkness had been. A strange creature lay dead at their feet. He swiveled in place and aimed his arrow for the center of the other pool of darkness just as that one winked out as well. Relaxing, he lowered his bow and scanned the room for any more threats.
Onyx drew a third arrow and was about to fire it into the darkness once again when it blinked out, and he could see three of his allies standing where the darkness had been. A strange creature lay dead at their feet. He swiveled in place and aimed his arrow for the center of the other pool of darkness. He paused for a moment as Stella charged in, shield and dagger in hand. ...Firing blindly with two allies nearby, what could go wrong? Onyx fired his short bow into the blackness.
Onyx heard his arrow clatter against the rear wall of the cavern, making his miss obvious.
Pleased that he didn't hear Damon shout out after his arrow plunged into the darkness, Onyx drew another arrow and nocked it on his bowstring. As he drew back the string he watched Stella run into the darkness, shield raised. She's running into it?! Hells below... He fired at the same place again, hoping his arrow will strike true, despite all the new obstacles.
He waited a moment and listened for any human-sounding shouts. No sound is good... I hope.
Onyx was visibly frustrated as he was unable to see a target. Abadar's scales... two?! He held his arrow at the ready in case a chance to strike presented itself. He heard Damon's cry and shot towards the darkness, hoping to hit his mark.
"Groetus' crooked grin, of course there are tentacles now too!" Onyx swore. He moved back, drew his bow and waited for something to shoot.
"Kokam, get out of there, or make some noise so we can find you!"
Onyx looked to Anevia, eyebrows raised "They're real?! I always thought they were just stories that mothers told to get misbehaving children to sleep!"
With his preparations done, he moved around and handed out rations to everybody, making s point to ask them all how they were doing, and if they had any concerns for the day ahead. He handed Horgus his share in silence. He put away his supplies and looked at the gathered people "Well? Are we ready for another bright and sunny day in the bowels of the world?"
With the room free of immediate danger, he moved forward and began looking at the carved figures, brushing a hand across the stone armour and weapons.
Onyx nodded and said, loudly enough to be heard by the others "It's been a long day for all of us, we were devoured by Golarion itself! If anyone here says that they aren't exhausted, they're a lying ass." More quietly he added "The day has taken it's toll on us all. I worry for my father and the rest of Kenabres, but we're stuck down here for Nethys knows how long... one arrow. That's how many I've landed since the fall. One. I don't know if it's that noble prick, the maggot, or everything else, but I'm far from my best too. So push past that voice. Tell it to shove it the best way you know how. Prove it wrong. Continue leading us out of here, and get us back to the real fight." Onyx slapped Damon's shoulder as he continued to put things in order.
Onyx watched the head leave the undead priest's shoulders, and would have smiled if he wasn't concerned for Damon. He started to approach when he heard Stormbrow's question. He thought of the markings on his back Riftwarden? How would he know that I have any connection to those people?
He searched the room thoroughly, and was confident there was nothing else hidden. ... At Damon's words Onyx nodded and began to help his friend.
Onyx pulled the second arrow from the quiver at his waist end fired it in the same heartbeat.
Onyx drew another arrow from his quiver, ready to fire.
Seeing Damon stride forward with his blade drawn and hearing his declaration, Onyx said "So I'll take that as a 'Yes' on the interesting front" He then drew his short bow and readied himself for a fight.
Onyx smiled widely as Stella seemed to push the door open quite easily "Aha! All it needed was the touch of Desna! Well done, Stella!"
Onyx watched the insect pierce his ally, and before he could react Kokam's spear had returned the favour. Damn she's fast Seeing his allies rush to Stormbrow's aid, Onyx believed it well in hand. He moved forward to the doors. "See why I hate bugs? Awful things..."
He knew he had seen the symbol before, but couldn't recall any more. He stood by the doors, waiting for assistance to push it open.
Onyx's eyebrows rise slightly and he raises his hands "Many apologies, I should have realized that Kokam was light of foot as well. Of course you're welcome. 2 or 3 doesn't make any difference to me!" ... Onyx approached the cavern with his ally(ties?) careful to be as silent as possible.
He stood in the entryway and took in the room. He took a moment to look for any movement, taking special note of the building.
Comfortable with the information he gathered, Onyx gestured to his ally (ies) and returned to the party to report his findings.
Onyx looked to the green glow and asked Stella. "Unnatural? Is there any chance it could be glowing mushrooms? I've been told of such things but never seen them myself." He looked to the rest of the party "I'm happy to go and take a look if you'd like? Stormbrow, you said you could be quiet, right? Care to join me?"
Onyx nimbly jumped up and grabbed the pack. He looked inside and described the contents to Stormbrow. "If we're stuck down here, most of this will come in handy. I didn't notice anything else up there, so let's head back to the others." ... When Onyx returned to the group he tossed the bag to Damon with a grin. "Take it all, I like ti travel light. I didn't see anything else up there, but the pack has some useful supplies. Especially the potion. Speaking of useful, our Ulfen friend here makes a great ladder. We should keep him around."
Onyx shrugged and followed the Ulfen's directions. He climbed onto Stormbrow's shoulders, and while up there he hammered in a piton just above head level. He used the piton and his companion to lift himself enough to grab the pack's strap that was visible from below.
"What's with this place and bugs?" Onyx took a few steps to the North, putting his back to the wall. He waited until one of his allies was distracting the insect before firing an arrow from his short bow.
The arrow struck true and pierced the crunchy carapace of the cockroach, pinning its lifeless body to the ground.
Onyx smiled at the archer. "Your assistance is appreciated, Anevia. Let me know if you need any arrows." The Tiefling checked himself, making sure he hadn't lost anything in the fall, and was about to announce his intention to scout ahead when Stormbrow stepped forward and challenged Horgus. It stopped Onyx dead in his tracks. Oh, now this could get interesting... With the attention focused on the Skald and the noble, Onyx slinked back into the shadows and drew his bow. Just in case things gets out of hand...
Onyx looked to the group and saw that they were ready to start moving.
Onyx still hadn't fully recovered from his near-death experience, and his feet dragged noticeably more than usual. He recognized it, but also knew there was nothing more he could do right now. First he moved to the northern passage looked as far as he could see, and listened for any signs of what lay ahead.
He was pretty confident with his observations about this passage. He crept to the Southern passage and repeated his actions.
Confident with the information he had gathered about their potential paths, Onyx moved back to the group and made his report.
Onyx stood up, picked up his short sword and cleaned it on the edge of his cloak before sheathing it into its scabbard. He then moved to his short bow and picked it up, checked the string, and slung it over his shoulder. He glanced to Damon and said "Honestly, thank you. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to repay the favour." When Stella handed the berries to Onyx he ate the first, and immediately recognized the good berry. These tiny berries were a staple of his diet whenever he was scouting with some of the more magically inclined Duskrunners. "And my thanks to you as well, Stella. I feel much better now." Onyx moved to the injured wizard, and introduced himself. He did so loudly enough for Stella to hear, and he hoped not to make a big deal about her mistake (which he thought was hilarious and hadn't corrected). "The mamet's Onyx Duskrunner. It's a pleasure to meet you Aravashnial, we'll get you to a proper healer as soon as we can. Until then, we'll be your eyes." Onyx then moved to the archer, looking at the splint. "I don't think I caught your name. I'm Onyx. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with that bow. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two." he said with a grin. Throughout this entire time Onyx made an effort to avoid reacting to or even looking in the direction of Horgus. I'm sure this man will stick around like the bad smell that he is...
Onyx felt a searing pain on the side of his neck, and before he had a chance to react his vision faded to black.
Onyx felt as though he had only blinked, but he awoke to find himself lying on the rocky ground. Again. He blinked his eyes and looked up to find Damon's shield interposed between him and the maggot. As he blinked blearily he said weakly "Hmm, my very own knight in shining armour. Until now I never knew what all the fuss was about."
Onyx cursed to himself Abadar's scales, how did I let this slug get so close to me? and moved into a flanking position with Kokam. He dropped his short bow to the ground and in the same motion drew his short sword from the scabbard at the back of his belt. He lunged forward and stabbed at the nearest maggot.
His short sword sunk to its hilt in the grey maggot flesh. As he pulled it out, a stream of green goop splashed across his cloak and arm. "This is not a good look for me... See why I prefer the bow?"
Onyx realized that during the fall his hood had fallen down, revealing a pair of curved black horns tightly contouring the sides of his head. The black from the horns continued down his head onto his neck, the striations disappearing down his back under his cloak. He pulled up his hood self-consciously and turned from the old man saying "I am not your enemy. I am sure this will be clear soon enough."
He spoke quietly to the party and gestured to the form "We may have a problem. Looks like a spider. A big one. Doesn't look like it's moving though." He squinted and moved out of the circle of light to get a better look.
Seeing that the other two were taken care of, Onyx moved to the elderly man. "Hello, my name is Onyx of the Duskrunners. Are you well? We seem to have taken quite the fall." He took a closer look at the man to look for any injuries he may have missed at a brief glance.
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