Pointing to the pile of scraps Rheynold has.
"What about all that? There seems to be some kind of block with all that junk you picked up."
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"What all did you find?"
"I will go ahead and make sure the others do not move to far into the tunnels." The vines shift open for Voz, though they stay close to his body - as if sensing others are near. Aak, Jenya, and Rheynold: Voz passes through the vine. "We should stay here until Tamayra is able to pass through."
Voz seems unsure about whether anything will come of the sound, but continues forward all the same. Although you can see the vines moving, they do not approach again. After several hours you can feel the corridor get warmer. Voz turns to speak. "It is best to rest before we move on. Beyond this point it is unlikely we will find safety. We must all pass a test of the gate keeper. Beyond the keeper the creatures run the tunnels free."
Voz motions to a grouping of lose rocks, bits of which have recently fallen to the tunnel floor. "If it isn't a collapse, it may be larger creatures. There may be times the risk is worthwhile, but not for the vine."
As the projectile ricochets back toward the party, Voz shakes his head while covering his ears.
non-lethal damage.
Moving forward quickly, Voz often stops to let everyone catch up. He does his best to point out slippery areas. At times everyone still has a tough time keeping their footing and at moments you think you see the vines moving. But as soon as the light shifts to reveal them - they are still. Reflex saves:
Only Tamayra manages to keep her footing. Everyone else slips, taking damage. "Watch out." Voz points toward the shadows. Initiative:
Jenya:
From your prone position you can see the vines creeping toward you, Aak, and Rheynold. Round One: Jenya now acting. GM: Perception rolls:
"Both. Any other concerns before we head out? Looking toward the torch. For now light is fine. But when I suggest putting it out, it will be best to do so." He carefully folds his cloth into his robes.
Looking quietly toward the tunnel he's just come through.
"So what say you? Are you ready to move forward?"
Aak and Voz shake hands in the torch light. You can see the man has just removed a cloth not unlike the ones Daggerless gave to you. He has slightly pointed ears and a pale grayish complexion. Unlike anyone Rheynold, Tamayra, or Jenya have ever seen. "Good to see you Aak. Looking toward the group. Well met. I see Mal'c isn't with you. We can forge ahead if you like. He'll catch up I'm sure."
Looking at Silx, "We must go soon. Glancing toward the others. I would suggest you all get into the city quickly if you can. If what I've found is what I think it is one of the cult's assassins has been in the area. He holds up a bit of black thread. Even though it is a small piece, it is clear that it is very fine thread. There are few who could afford this silk, let alone who would be interested in the paths so close to the main road."
Stepping from the shadows, Voz smiles at Silx. "You've learned a bit since last we met my friend. His smile growing. But, you have much to learn yet. I come with news and help. gesturing to a small clearing off the road, toward a half-elf. Word of your deeds against the cult have spread. I gave my word to Adalric that I would help him find you. Looking at the group as whole, recognizing the new face, Voz makes the proper introduction. My lady, I didn't expect to see you among adventurers. A wonderful surprise. Looking back to Silx. And with you my friend, a word of good news in private." Voz whistles, the sound of night bird, as he and Silx begin to walk toward the darkening clearing. Adalric looks toward the wound, gives a slight nod and begins to approach slowly.
Silx: With a bow, "I will ask of you when next I make the trip here. Send word to Mal'c if you can and I'll be sure to hear from him on my next visit."
Silx: While you're training, Voz interrupts, "I wanted to bid you farewell brother before I made for the mountain road. I must head south before the weather turns for the worse. I hope your journey, wherever it takes you, is all you hope for."
Shayne: Voz smiles as you conquer the first room, nods with respect at your awareness of limitations, and gives you a solid pat on the back after the third room. "You do yourself proud friend. I do hope you make it to Minmish one day. Though I doubt I'd be able to talk you into joining my order, I would very much enjoy showing you the use of the Bone Dagger."
Looking at Silx, "Somewhere in the south is my guess. Nearly all the Drow the monks of Minmish were able to rescue were from the south. There are a few Old Ones that hail from this region. And you? Are you from this area?
Voz takes a deep, calming breath. "I remember little of my family as I was captured by slavers when I was very young. Though from what I have gathered since, I believe I was captured with my family, but we were kept separately. Thankfully, the monks of Minmish - were I am now a brother - confronted the salvers. Though the monks saved me, my family wasn't so lucky. Pausing to take another calming breath. "Other Drow were freed too. They shared with me stories, both during the year I was a slave, like them, and after as we all sought to find new paths with the help of the monks of Minmish and the folk that call the town home. This is one of the stories they shared." Long ago, when this mountain range was was still young the Duergar were the only people to call it home. Far beneath the mountain they mastered the ways of their people, until a great evil arrived. A powerful wizard from a distant land came, with his fellow humans, to exploit 'undiscovered' resources. When he came upon these mountains he claimed them as his own. Using his powerful magic he forced the Duergar to the surface, to use their craft to build him a magnificent tower. For hundreds of years he was the supreme ruler of the region. This is how the Dwarves came to be, but that is a story for another time. Then one day, the allied forces of humans who had long suffered under his evil, free Dwarves, and elves from a distant land broke through his defenses. They used contraptions of steam and metal to shatter the wizard's golem army. In a panic, the wizard sought the ancient runic magic of the Duergar. He found one master craftsman, giving him access to ancient tomes, the wizard hoped the Duergar would create a new army of golems to repel the allied army. This Duergar, Kaldan, did as he was asked. But, he kept one secret from the wizard. It was this secret that let Kaldan turn the new golems against the wizard at just the right moment. Without his golem army, the wizard fled into his tower, and then the depths of these mountains. It was into these caves the allies followed. Another evil, the wizard's unseen ally, await there. Though both were defeated in time - the centuries underground, close to such evil - the elves were changed. When their children emerged from the deep caverns victorious they no longer looked as elves looks. The bright light stung their eyes, now perfect for seeing through the underground darkness. Their complexions too had changed. Though there was no enmity among these changed elves, the Drow, and their bothers and sisters the unchanged elves - they could no longer live together. So it was that many Drow returned to the caverns that they had freed of immense evils. Others went south, finding caves and caverns of their own.
Voz, remembering himself pauses thoughtfully. "It isn't just Hanjah that has joined her ancestors?" As if to delay hearing the answer he fears is true, Voz continues quickly. "Though it pains me still, I would happily share the stories I was told when I was younger. Inclining his head toward Silx. "And if my brother by blood chimes in, all the better."
Looking toward Shayne, "So is it as I fear? Has Hanjah made her final earthly journey?" On speaking the question it is clear Voz realizes it is an unfit question for meal time, but simply must know what has happened.
The Drow smiles, "The way she described you.. I knew one day what she told me would come true, but it's still a surprise. His expression turns to one of concern as he realizes what you said. What has happened? Seeing that Mal'c is preoccupied, looking toward the monastery, the Drow cuts himself short. My name is Voz. I will arrange to extend my stay. I hope to see you both soon.” With that the Drow turns and heads back toward the small building that he had emerged from moments ago.
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