With happy and full bellies, Blaze and Alcheringa return to the Revive, a few hours later Alcheringa reverts to his normal Elven form.
Bonzo returns to the revive and falls contentedly asleep after a long night.
The next morning, when he meets Kyren, he claps with joy at the good news. "Tzarek Champion!? I knew you could do it, Kyren, you lucky dog!" Bonzo clasps his shoulder, and continues "We ran into a bit of luck last night as well, friend. We uncovered and eliminated an entire assassin hit squad by fighting them in pit fights!" He shakes a foot back and forth a little shamefully, "Well, I just bet lots of money on the fights... but then we won!"
Bobo hops to the other two halflings
Good enough, betting is like killing with money, uncle Fiddlediddle used to say. And don't they say the right coins can save lives, heh!
Alcheringa and Blaze appear like magic at the breakfast table, relaxed and well rested...
Kyren comes back into the Revive wearing a shiny pair of bracers, a ring upon his fingers and a shiny Mithril Buckler.
Seeing Alchy return to his normal state, Kyren comments, "Kazam, when you said you were more of cat person, I guess you really meant it!"
""Well, I just bet lots of money on the fights... but then we won!"
Gambling? Hmm? I am sorry I missed it! Well I am able to pay you back for the money you lent me, Here you go, my lucky friend."
"And this here is for you Vaugn, my dagger weilding pal."
"There we are, my debts with my friends are settled and now just to pay the big debt off to the Whippletars."
Congratulations, Kyren. Must've been quite a night! You have enough to settle your debts now?
.
Before we head out, I've got a brief bit of business to take care of--won't take more than an hour. In fact, I'll start it now while you all catch up.
I take a cup of whatever we're drinking and a couple of pastries to another room, and begin to write a letter.
After moving to a quieter space, Vaughn takes out some parchment and writing charcoal. After several long moments of thought, and several false starts, he's able to scrawl something down. If anyone approaches while he's working, he'll stop, and try to cover it up--this is NOT his strong suit and it shows. (he won't fight too much if someone REALLY wants to see/help, but he's clearly not comfortable having someone else looking over his shoulder)
To My Parents,
I dont know where to start--never been big on riting. I'm in Kaer Maga, but DONT COME HERE!!!!! It is really creepy and dangerus. I got real lucky becuze the ferry man--er halfling!--gave me a tip to a place where I found some great frends. We work together with the Dusk Wardens to keep the streets safe, and they sure need it. You wudnt beleeve the monsters that pop up out of the ground!! So DONT COME HERE OK? I saw peple get eeten--not good!!
I got even luckyer and met a dwarf named Goldy Blasthammer. He seems real nice. He knows mom. Hes rich and wants to help and he gave me FIFTY PLATNUM to give to you! Him and me hope this is enuff to get you both in to a better nayborhood. You can rite back to me and send it to the Reviv For A Better Life, I'll get it that way. I will send you more coins whenever I can, but I do have to keep myself in good wepons and armor so I do hafta spend some, sorry! But rite and tell me when you get out of the nayborhood and in to a better one--tell me how nice it is!!
So dont worry about me OK? I have real good frends who are real tuff, but we dont bother folks who are, um, normal. I dont do that anymore. We only bother folks who are like i used to be--or worse. Or they are not folks at all!! (like I sed, DONT COME HERE!!) But the guys Im running with now are not like the guys from Ridle Port. These are good guys.
Rite me back. Hope I can send you more coins soon.
Love,
Vaughn
I seal it up, and get a larger bag or box in which I can put both the letter and Goldie's gift. Anyone want to join me? I need to find Captain Yarbly--Bobo's cousin--to send something home to my folks in Riddleport, won't be but a few moments I hope. I'll be right back here after, then we can head to the Duskwardens?
I'll then head out whether anyone joins me or not to where I was left off from my ferry here, in search of Yarbly.
@ Vaughn: To reach the ferry station, you have to leave Kaer Maga through crowded Meatgate and skirt the city on the south city where the Turandarok river flows.
There are a couple of wooden building on one of the river banks, where several ferryboats lie and a host of workers load and unload.
After asking around for some minutes one points to a group of wagons next to the ferry you know quite well.
Yarbly stands on the pier and is occupied with cleaning the hull from clams that sit closely underneath to the waterline.
Yarbly stands on the pier and is occupied with cleaning the hull from clams that sit closely underneath to the waterline.
CAP'N YARBLY my friend!! Greetings!! I move over to shake his hand. Good to see you again!! I see you're keeping your vessle in ship-shape, great to see!! You've got to come see your cousin at the Revive, the place is changing rapidly. Bobo's got new recipes, we're remodeling/redecorating, catering to a whole new clientele! You wouldn't recognize the place . . .
I'll continue with the chit-chat about that kind of thing before going to business.
Say, the reason I came down here is this: I ran into a family friend who I think you know--Goldie Blasthammer? He has a gift for my mother in Riddleport. I wonder if I could hire you to transport it for me, as I'm pretty busy here. It's a small box here I hand it over, and lower my voice [/b]but have a care--it's pretty darned valuable--so I'm going to ask you, and ONLY you, to hand-deliver it to my parents, the Elliots, over in the west end of Riddleport. I'll be honest, they're not living in a particularly nice section of town, so be ready. How much you gonna charge me for this service, Cap'n?[/b]
Yarbly, the carricature of a pirate, uses his hooked hand to scratch his backside, then he grins and eyeballs you from head to toe
Heh, didn't think I'd see you again...alive, heh. But, why has Bobo any recipes at all? I thought he was some kind of doormat for this Worsh guy?...So Goldie sent you? I owe him a friggin lot, if he likes you I will also call you a friend and I don't charge friends for friendly turns, savvy?
Hey and Bobo really runs this necromancer shop, with new recipes? What the hell is he selling there? Zombie onions?
Heh, didn't think I'd see you again...alive, heh. But, why has Bobo any recipes at all? I thought he was some kind of doormat for this Worsh guy?...So Goldie sent you? I owe him a friggin lot, if he likes you I will also call you a friend and I don't charge friends for friendly turns, savvy?
well, that's mighty kind of you Cap'n! You let me know if there's a turn I can give you sometime!
Hey and Bobo really runs this necromancer shop, with new recipes? What the hell is he selling there? Zombie onions?
Oh, like I said, you wouldn't recognzie the place!! No necromancer shop anymore. It's more of an inn, tavern, restaurant, haven, whatever you might want to call it. It's a work in progress, mind you--but Bobo is running things. Worsh is, how shall we say it--"Worshed up?" HAW HAW HAW!! And he's got fancy-schmancy foods he makes. His almond-paste pig snouts really aren't half bad.
.But seriously, thank you kindly for your services. And watch yourself in Riddleport--it's nothing like here, but don't let that get your guard down. Thugs like me'll steal yer hook if you give 'em half a chance!! And next time I see Goldie I'll tell him how obliging you've been!
Unless he's got more specific questions or comments (or messages for Goldie or Bobo), I'll head back to the Revive, feeling much better that I've already started what I came here for--make my folks' lives better!!
"I think its time we undertook our mission and investigate what troubles the Earth Mother, we must go underground and find her her ailment"
Alcheringa stares at the pile of coins he won from the night before, examining them closely, mumbling the occasional incantation, then looking at them perplexed, then mumbling, then perplexed...then mumbling, then perplexed.
After gathering again at the Revive, you check your equipment and give Bobo a big hug. Like you, the halfling chef is quite concerned about your next mission.
Grand uncle Blenden always told me not to play underground, I hope he wasn't right that there were monsters lurking in the dark.
As you leave the place that has become a haven for you in dangerous Kaer Maga, you twice feel a shaking of the earth. Both are accompanied by screams in the distance and patrols of Duskwardens rushing through the streets to a foe you can at least imagine, most of the passersby just gawp and wonder.
The Duskwarden's headquarter is also in a state of major alarm. Weapons are given out and wounded men and women are sitting in the corridors. The guards don't recognize you and they nearly send you back, wasn't Amberline appearing exactly in this moment
Alcheringa, good to see you and your friends. You arrived just on time, are you ready?
Alcheringa, good to see you and your friends. You arrived just on time, are you ready?
"Yes we are, well rested and well fed. We will need ropes and probably lanterns or the like I suppose... or how about a couple of Sunrods? Then show us to the entrance and give us our brief"
Dragging through jogging troops of Duskwardens and volunteer helpers, you follow Amberline deep into the basement of the HQ. The corridor, lit by flickering torches, get more and more narrow and you only stop as you already have the feeling that you must be at least 20m below the surface.
This is entrance Valyria, coined after a famous Duskwarden of the past. You have to memorize that name and the phrase "Out of the dusk into the darkness." This will serve as your identifictaion below when you meet other Duskwarden patrols. In the small chamber over there she points to a small iron door you will find anything you need for spelunking. Just take what you think will be needed. Your mission is this: Follow the tunnel that leads down from this room, until you come to a subtarrenean tower. Bring this letter to the Duskwardens there and receive further orders. Any questions left?
Any questions left?
"I was just wondering if you had a map or anything of the region we are entering or are we exploring new territory? By any chance do you have any clue as to what we are going to find down there?"
Let's see what's in the equipment chamber--we could use climbing gear, light sources--what else? Other than that, I'm ready to go.
The equipment chamber abounds with tools for spelunking:
Lanterns, ropes, grappling hooks, sunrods, torches etc. Just everything can be found in here.
Yes, we do have maps, yet...it sounds stupid, but you haven't proven your loyalty by now and the maps are not given away easily. I hope you can understand that.
I'll take some extra rope, grappling hook, climbing gear. I can carry quite a bit, so if anyone has anything they can't handle, give it here and I'll take it. I *don't* want to carry a light source, as I don't need one and I'd rather have both hands free for fighting.
.
I'm OK with rear guard, or point--but I don't think my senses are as sharp as Blaze's, so maybe Alcheringa and Blaze should take point/scout? Followed by Donna, Bonzo, Kyren, then me at the rear? How does that sound to everyone?
As we enter the tunnel, I'll note whether these are large tunnels or small ones. If they're large (like there's more than 30' clearance) I'll have my bow out; if they're smaller, I'll keep daggers drawn instead.
@ Vaughn:
After you have gathered your equipment, you peek into the tunnel and you are astonished by the dimensions. Like in a salt mine, the tunnel is nearly 50 feet wide. Strange green and blue fluorescent mushrooms grow at the tunnel walls and on the ground in small groups, and wasn't that some kind of lizard that scurried out of view?
The whole thing is alien to say the least for someone used to the hustle and bustle and open sea of Riddleport.
The whole thing is alien to say the least for someone used to the hustle and bustle and open sea of Riddleport.
This place just keeps getting weirder and weirder.
I'll keep my bow out, then, since there's that much room.
Kyren gathers up the equipment for a Climbers kit, and 50 feet of Silk Rope. After lifting the rope he calls out to Vaugh, "Crazzleboks! This is heavy! How much of this stuff should we be bringing?"
I'm OK with rear guard, or point--but I don't think my senses are as sharp as Blaze's, so maybe Alcheringa and Blaze should take point/scout? Followed by Donna, Bonzo, Kyren, then me at the rear? How does that sound to everyone?
"That sounds good to me! My friends, I am happy to announce that ever since my kite flying days, I have been practicing how to make objects and people fall like a feather. If you are in need of help, please yell, HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLP!!!!!!!"
"Sounds good to me, too! Also, I'm glad to hear that, Kyren--I won't worry as much when you're in those kites." Donna, meanwhile, stuffs several pieces of equipment into the burlap sack that she is now carrying for Bonzo. "We ready," she says.
"Blaze can travel up front, keen eyes and a sharp nose hould warn us of any trouble, and being able to stalk in the shadows shoud equally keep her safe."
"Well, Alchy. This is very exciting. I am all dressed up ready for cave action. I've got my rope and some pitons and a little hammer. I also picked up a bullseye lantern in case it gets dark down there."
"Well folks, I have been meaning to tell you, I have found a contact that can get us into Lord Sassaner's house. I think we have a way into his lair of evilness! When we finish in the caves, we will have to make a run to free some imprisoned slaves. What do you guys all think?"
"Something to consider once we have this place cured of its ailments"
"I don't know a lot about caves, but this is a good time to learn... and to learn of those creatures dwelling here in the deep, those that feed on the overly rich soil saturated with blood and rot from the necromantic ways of the Humans above us"
As you have all gathered some equipment from the chamber, Amberline takes a last inspecting look at you
That looks good, I think you got everything you will need. There is one last thing you always have to bear in mind: The Darklands are completely different to the surface, you might encounter things you have never seen before.
With that said she bids you farewell and wishes you the best of luck.
Cautiously you enter the giant corridor and make your way further down into the bones of Mother Earth. The strange fungus is a constant companion on the way down and while the colours remain in the spectrum of green and blue, the size is varying all the time. From tiny mushrooms to 2m high fungus trees.
From time to time you encounter small reptiles that are quite alike the lizards of the surface world, they only have whiskers for better orientation...
After about an hour in the total darkness, the first of you begin to feel that the threatening walls around you have an impact on their psych
Will Save -
"Amazing down here..."
Alcheringa slows the party down a fraction as he studies the flora and fauna.
Will Save
"I'm not afraid of the dark, really! I use to play blind man's bluff as a wee Tosscobble and I got really good at fumbling around blindly! By the way, did anybody bring any extra snacks with them? This is starting to feel a little too much like work!"
"Amazing down here..."
"Alchy, if you want to stop and have a closer peek at that bluish bush, go right ahead. I think I will just try out this rock and see if it feels comfortable to sit on!"
As you come closer to one of the mushrooms with your light source, it starts to crumble and loses all its colour...
Will save (Vs. Fear):
I'm able to shake off the claustrophobia, in part due to the new belt's Darkvision power, I think!
I'm keeping my eyes peeled and an arrow nocked.
Upon seeing the mushroom crumble: *low whistle* Wow, looks like the light never gets down here, doesn't it?!
Venturing further you witness a breathtaking sight:
The large corridor opens up to a gigantic cave, whose ceiling must be about 15m high. The thing must be at least 200m wide and has a circular form. Groups of very large mushrooms bathe the interior of the cave in a play of colours you will never forget. In the middle of the cave is a large pond in whose midst stands one, about 7m high, purple mushroom, whose cap looks like a giant umbrella. Strange, the size of a man's forearm, dragonflies flit over and above the pond and you hear strange croaking noises, but you can't identify their sources in the calico twilight.
At the shore of the pond stands a bricktone tower which is nearly as high as the giant mushroom. The lifeless banner of the Duskwardens hangs from its top.
"I'd never have thought that this is what dwells in the Earthmothers womb."
Alcheringa picks his way towards the tower, pausing to take in the scenery from time to time. He looks rather at home, or at least more so than when up in the city.
"Yeah, me either!"
Funny how roles can reverse . . . Vaughn looks a bit like a toddler taken away from home for the first time. He's obviously extremely uncomfortable; the giant dragonflies are very unnerving, and he half-draws his bow at any croaking sound that emenates anywhere nearby. He's looking around quickly, trying to keep his eyes everywhere at once, against danger.
He's close on Alcheringa's heels as they approach the tower--so close, in fact, that a couple of times he bumps into the elf as he pauses to take in the sights. Uh, sorry. Was looking over there . . .
"This is a most interesting cave. I like the colors. Now I wish I brought my harp down here. Can you imagine how it would sound down here? It is just so tricky trying to pack for an adventure. Sometimes I bring too much and sometimes too little. I really had to force myself to leave my Tzarek board in my room back at the Revive."
Without the lantern, the subterranean panorama is even a bit more magical.
Stumbling through the "forest" of mushrooms you reach the tower and are met with a
Greetings, down there!
A helmed, friendly bearded face appears at the top of the tower looking down on you.
"Hi up there! We are the Wee Bluets. Who do we have the pleasure of addressing?"
A smile flashes over the man's face
The Wee Bluets? Splendid! I'm coming down to open the tower.
Some moments later you hear the unlocking of three locks, then the door is opened and a sturdy Duskwarden stands in front of you.
Welcome, strangers, what tidings do you bring?
Kyren greets the Duskwarden with an open hand. "I am Kyren Tosscobble at your service, and these are my companions, Alcheringa, Vaughn, Bonzo, Donna, and the cat is our faithful mascot, Blaze! We are sent here by Amberline to assist the Duskwardens in anything that needs done down here. Well, not anything. We don't do housework or dishes, but we do anything that involves climbing, exploring, examining plant life, eating, or simply hanging about chatting. Sometimes, we even deal with danger! What is your role down here, my bearded friend?"
The guard cocks his head and grins
Very well, come in and I'll tell ye.
You enter the tower and are surprised that it is much less a military building than you thought before. The interior of the ground floor reminds you of a spelunking museum: All kinds of tools, new, old, rusted and well kept are lined up at the walls. Above them are large maps and floorplans showing corridors over corridors. In the centre of the room is a large oval table on which the remnants of a roasted turkey with dumplings and red cabbage are.
Noticing your surprised faces, the man licks his fingers and says
Was just about to finish dinner, you want something to eat?
He takes some plates, forks and knives out of a cabinet and places them on the table.
I'm Samson Messer, Duskwarden at the Fungal Tower. My duty is to keep our scouting groups equipped and the tower also serves as a last barricade before something from the Darklands was able to crawl to the surface.
Was just about to finish dinner, you want something to eat?
Kyren brightens up at the mention of food! "Well, Master Messer, I certainly wouldn't want to be rude and decline your invitation. We would be delighted to enjoy a nice meal with good company. I love turkey and dumplings! My you sure have an impressive looking tower here. So tell me, Samson, what kind of creepy crawlies live down here? Does this place really hold them back?"
Well, no...but to be honest, it doesn't have to. There are far sturdier fortifications farther below in the deep. But this tower can be used as a last straw if things turn out really bad. Mostly we fight otyughs, basilisks and other deep dwellers, but during the last weeks something mysterious has happened, something very powerful stirs in the deep and drives everyone mad. There is a caravan of Duergar I expect tomorrow morning, you could help me during the negotiations with them...these creepy dwarves are a dangerous bunch...what did you say was your mission down here? Oh yeah, and help yourself with the food, I was already finished.
Mostly we fight otyughs, basilisks and other deep dwellers . . .
Did you say basilisks? Don't those creatures turn people to stone! I admit the rocks are very pretty, but I would not want to be a permanent fixture down here. What do you do if they gaze upon you?"
There is a caravan of Duergar I expect tomorrow morning, you could help me during the negotiations with them...these creepy dwarves are a dangerous bunch...what did you say was your mission down here?
"Our mission can be flexible, but we are essentially trying to find out what is driving the purple worms and otyughs out to the surfcae. However, negotiations sound fun. I have had to work on a number of squabbles in the past. In fact even yesterday during the Kaer Maga International Tzarek Tournament, we had a number of angry competitors that needed calming down. I am not good with the Dwarven language, but my good friend, Vaughn, speak a little Dwarven." Turning to his dagger wielding friend, Kyren says, "Do you think you could translate if needed, my friend?"
"Our mission can be flexible, but we are essentially trying to find out what is driving the purple worms and otyughs out to the surfcae. However, negotiations sound fun. I have had to work on a number of squabbles in the past. In fact even yesterday during the Kaer Maga International Tzarek Tournament, we had a number of angry competitors that needed calming down. I am not good with the Dwarven language, but my good friend, Vaughn, speak a little Dwarven." Turning to his dagger wielding friend, Kyren says, "Do you think you could translate if needed, my friend?"
Sure I can translate--I actually speak excellent Dwarven! But . . . didn't Amberline give us something to show Samson here? Specific orders perhaps?
Thank you, Vaughn! How could I forget?! The Duskwardens all use a password! Now, what was that phrase? . . . "Out of the barn and into the field". . .No, no,. . . "Out of the door and into the mud." No, no, . . . "Out of the frying pan and into the fire," no, no that's what I say when visiting Autie Bethelda. Wait, wait, I've got it. . . . "Out of the dusk and into the darkness." Yah, that's it. How was that?" Oh, and here is a letter for you. I think you will explain a great deal." Kyren passes Samson the letter given to him by Amberline.
Alcheringa is watching the conversation, just taking it all in.
Bonzo Will Save vs Fear
Donna Will Save vs Fear
Donna begins to tremble as they descend into the darkness. Bonzo climbs up onto her shoulders and whispers into her ear comfortingly, but she continues to jump at every small noise.
When they meet the guard, she jumps so surprisedly that Bonzo tumbles off her back and crashes onto the ground with a loud thump. "I sorry," she mumbles to him, and he stands up and brushes himself off, smiling at the guard. "Pleased to meet you." They let Kyren do the explaining.
After greeting Bonzo and Donna (the latter one with a very surprised countenance) Samson takes the letter and after opneing it his expression becomes a bit concerned.
Yes, that was the correct identification phrase. The letter underlines your qualities, it says you're very experienced adventurers...but without any Darklands knowledge. The meeting with the Duergar tomorrow will help a little bit...Ok, you help me during the negotiations with them and I persuade the grey dwarves that they accept your comapny until you reach Deepclaw, their nearest settlement. Once you are there, speak to Grendel Shadowfist...he's an unreliable informant of us. Ask him about Ilvarandin, he might tell you something interesting. Oh, and Basilisks? Run when you encounter them without protection from being petrified, just run.