|
Currently in the dark with out a light source Levistus moves cautiously toward the remaining hypnotized man, "Would you be so kind as to tell me who charmed you and how to find him?"
Calix:
|
|
Caelwyn's arrow flies past Thovar and cuts into the troglodyte, who stumbles for a few more steps before falling heavily into the shallow water.
Lemedor, illuminated by the light of a single torch mounted just behind him in the side tunnel, responds slowly with a confused tone, "Charmed?" he asks, "I wasn't charmed... was I?" The animal handler frowns, trying to remember what had happened.
"I heard a voice... from nowhere, gave me advice... good advice, I think... told me to open cage..." he pats a large bundle of keys at his waist, "to feed Master Fuln's experiment."
|
|
Levistus says a quick arcane word bringing the light back to his crossbow to push back the darkness further and study the animal trainer. Looking into the man's eyes and seeing the dull look gone Levistus relaxes, "Hmmm, your suggesting the experiment has that ability then. Would you have normally opened the cage and released the experiment into the sewers? Most likely not. And then, to take up residence in the sewers with trogs. Questionable behavior also. Do you recall how you arrived here or where the creature is now?"
|
|
The Troglodyte's only possession seems to be a string necklace adorned with small bones and polished pebbles.
Lemedor continues to frown as Levistus speaks, taking several seconds to think before answering, "You think experiment was using magic? No... no... cage was protected... stopped magic from getting in or out... voice told me that I should feed eye shaped pendant to experiment... started when I found—" The animal handler stops with a gasp "—Master Fuln is hurt! In his lab!"
|
|
Realization suddenly dawns on Levistus' face and his eyes quickly dart to the man's chest searching for the amulet, "Calm down! Master Fuln is fine. We just left him a short time ago to come looking for you. What happened in the lab...happened some time ago. So the experiment ate the pendant? What happened then?"
|
|
Lemedor calms down a little at the assurance that Fuln is safe, "yes, experiment ate eye pendant, then voice tells me to follow into sewers... to fight reptile men... then to wait here and stop people from passing... then you arrive..."
There is no amulet at his neck, though a brooch in the shape of a talon fastens his cloak.
|
|
"To fight the reptile men, you say? These very same ones you were now found working with? So if I am interpreting what you are saying correctly, it looks as if the pendant has the ability to charm and control people or creatures and is most probably now controlling the experiment. Which means we are facing a somewhat more dangerous creature with an intelligence to guide it. Secondly, it has gained the leadership, probably through force of these trogs. Do you have any idea on how many more of them there are? They can be quite dangerous." At this last statement Levistus looks at the hole and bloody wound he suffered from the Lemedor's arrow.
|
|
Fixing Lemedor with a penetrating stare, "So, no idea about how many more of these trogs there are? Or where the experiment might be found? As for this wound, I would suggest you make it up to me by accompanying us. Your assistance in identifying the experiment and fighting these trogs would prove invaluable." Turning toward the elves with a wry smile as they return, "Nice job, it appears that there at least an inkling of truth to the legends."
|
|
Lemedor furrows his brow, then starts to count on his fingers, "one... two... three... huh.. four... five... six... but two here... so... er... one... two... three... four?"
He lets out a sigh as he drops his hands, "was more, but they went away... to mountains, to bring more back. Experiment is waiting for them in cave." He points in the direction that the troglodyte was fleeing, but when Levistus suggests that he accompany them he starts to shake, "No! I don't want voice in my head again!"
|
|
"Cave where experiment is waiting opens out onto cliffs near sea..." Lemedor answers the elf, "experiment called himself, er... 'Lord Corgar'? He said he would wait for reptile men to come back... then take them to wizard school and attack..."
He pauses, thinking of anything else he might be able to share, "up ahead... there is room with pool where some reptile men are... just past that, hole in wall goes to cave where experiment is... nothing else I know, I think."
|
|
Nodding his head in understanding, "I understand your reluctance to face the experiment. Would you perhaps have anything in your possession that will help us face it on our own. I would, of coarse, put in a good word with Master Fuln about your assistance in recovering the experiment you freed." Levistus also fusses some more over his grievous wound that Lemedor was responsible for.
|
Thovar pipes in, "It's quite understandable if you do not wish to face the troglodytes again. Besides, you have already had enough of fighting and perhaps another person in these crowded sewers would just slow us down. Perhaps you should wait safely for us, or head back. But just in case you are captured again, perhaps you should entrust those keys to us? I am, after all, a servant of Abadar." At this Thovar holds up his key-shaped holy symbol.
|
|
Lemedor looks around at the crowd of people speaking to him, and struggles to keep up with them. He clutches tightly to the keys in his hands as he is overwhelmed by their combined voices, but when Olomorn puts things into more simple terms he gravitates towards the dwarf.
"Yes, you take keys," He says, thrusting the keyring into Olomorn's hands, "then I go back home, to bed... but you also take potions... in case you get hurt."
The simple minded human takes a pair of vials from his belt and holds them out to the dwarf. "This one stronger," he says, lifting the darker coloured one up.
|
|
Levistus says a quick arcane word bringing the light back to his crossbow to push back the darkness further and study the animal trainer.
Levistus' awaits the scouts to retake the lead. While walking he says to his dwarven companions, "Am I to suffer a long agonizing diseased death since I have an open wound in this cesspool or can we do something to heal it? I believe the lesser of those two vials from Lemedor would suffice."
|
|
The tunnel narrows once more as you continue, and the narrow side channels become more frequent, from a little up ahead, you all notice the smell of burning meat gently permeating the otherwise foul smell of the sewers. Alerion, Olomorn and Levistus hear a faint clicking sound about 50' ahead, much like a clawed foot step.