Aberus reached out to Uriel. The copper-haired aasimar looked terribly pale, having succumbed to the nauseating smell of the maggot's vomitus. Laying a hand on Uriel's shoulder, Aberus spoke, "May the grace of Sarenrae assuage your ills," and felt the healing powers of his deity flow through him.
Alexa grunts in acknowledgement and stabs at the maggot Ithilwen wounded.
Don't open your mouth. You'll taste it even more. Eugh.
he elf will inquire of her kinsman what spells he has memorized. Perhaps working together with our magic we might be of a good aide to our companions she remarks in elven.
Telerin with her back still to Aravashniel tries convincing him to use his magic. His ability is still there, protecting every person within 10 feet, granting everyone an additional +1 to their AC. He seems annoyed at Telerin's persistence.
”Go help the paladins. Can you not see my eyes are gone? The pain is still raw, focusing is impossible!” He snapped at the female elf. In his defense his face is burned off between his forehead and nose, his eyes literally cooked to the point of bursting in their sockets.
Aravashniel wears his emotions on his face.
He is suddenly disabled, and he's not comfortable with that. Plus, he isn't one for pain and his struggles double because pain makes him annoyed, and he gets annoyed because he is in pain. It's a terrible cycle.
Alexa tightens her lips and pushes out her cheeks, in fear of tasting the gunk that was dripping off her aasimar body. Thrusting forward she thought her aim was true, but the larvae flattened its body and your attack went wide. It bounced back into shape and squeaked at her as if laughing.
The maggot to the north(maggot1) decided to pick on the elf. Uriel had run away leaving Telerin all by herself. Swerving over with it's tri-fold mouth agape, and leaped at her! With a squeak Telerin is able to grab at her clothes, shift her weight and swiveled her pert elvish butt out of its mouth reach. It's jaws snapped closed. It growled and shook its body annoyance. The maggot to the south(maggot3) slithered closer to Ithilwen, and hurled itself at her with it's mouth wide!
It's mouth did not make contact r wrap around Ithilwen's tasty thigh like it had wanted. It slipped on some of it's own puke and instead of getting a tasty nibble it bumped its head into half-drow's bottom. It laid there, DAZED, not quite understanding what just happened.
The mercy of Saranae flows into Aberus' heart, through his circulatory system, and out through his fingertips. A dull orange glow flows under Uriel's skin, and both men feel, for the time being, a sense of warmth and tranquility. Every woe and struggle is forgotten in these six seconds.
[X]----Ithilwen: Attacks maggot 3. An 11 hits. 3 damage.
[20]—Telerin: Tries to convince Aravashniel to help.
[19]—Alexa: Stabs at the maggot and misses
[19]--(7HP)Maggot 1: Attacked telerin. 9 misses. No damage
[16]--(4HP)Maggot 3: Attacked, a confirmed nat-1 will not hit. Bumped into Ithilwen's bottom and is now dazed for 1 round.
[15]—Aberus: Cures Uriel of his sickened status with Restorative Touch
[11]—Arloric:
[7]—Baleon:
[5]—Uriel:
[X]----Ithilwen: Moves 20'. Attacks Maggot 5 with Scorpion whip, Arloric provides flanking. A 9 will hit. 3 Damage.
[20]—Telerin: Talks to Aravashniel, asking what school of magic he studied.(free action).
[19]—Alexa: Attacked Maggot...let's say maggot 5. He barfed on her last round and Ithilwen damaged it. So.......1 damage.
[19]--Maggot 1: Barfs on Uriel! Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1 minute
[16]--Maggot 3: Barfs on Ithilwen! Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1 minute. -
[15]—Aberus: Attacked, and got a 1. -whooosh!
[11]—Arloric: Casted Deathwatch, senses Maggot 4 is not dead, but its life-force is ebbing away.
[7]—Baleon: Attacks with great sword. Hits with a 19. 9 damage.
[5]—Uriel: Failed his fortitude save and withdraws.
[X]Ithilwen: Attacked with a crit: 3 damage to maggot 4
[20]—Telerin: Total Defense, protecting Aravashniel +4AC
[19]—Alexa: Draws her weapon and attacks . A 6 misses.]
[19]--Maggot 1:Takes a 5 foot step above Uriel. It attacks Uriel!
[19]--
[18]--
[16]--Maggot 3: Takes a 5 foot step towards Alexa. It attacks Alexa!
[15]—Aberus: Moved and drew a weapon
[11]—Arloric: Attacked Maggot 4 with longsword. A 17 hits, and 4 damage is given. It has stopped moving.
[7]—Baleon: Attacked maggot 2,with a greatsword. A 9 hits, and 14 damage is -overkill-. It is obviously dead.
[5]—Uriel: Attacks maggot 1 with a cold iron bastard sword? An 8 misses.
[2]—Maggot 5: It barfs on Alexa! Fortitude Save DC 13, or be sickened for one minute.
Shamed by his earlier retreat, Uriel charges back into battle, swinging for all he's worth at Maggot 3.
Shamed by his earlier retreat, Uriel charges back into battle, swinging for all he's worth at Maggot 3.
It's a +2 to your attack and -2AC if you're charging. Are you
Shamed by his earlier retreat, Uriel charges back into battle, swinging for all he's worth at Maggot 3.
It's a +2 to your attack and -2AC if you're charging. Are you charging? It would make sense if he is 'swinging for all he's worth.'
Baleon readies himself even as the maggot smacked head-first into Ithilwen's backside and fell back, shaking its bulbous head and mandibles. The paladin raised an eyebrow and shrugged.
"Well, that's one way to do it..." He said, heaving his sword up as Uriel flew past like a streak of copper fire to descend on the monstrous larva with his own blade.
Hearing Aravashnial's shout from over his shoulder, Baleon turned on his heel, and leapt for the other squirming grub.
Diplomacy
Here, let me at least cover your wounds to stave off infection and other damage. as she covers the eyes with the torn part of her robe.
It's a +2 to your attack and -2AC if you're charging. Are you charging? It would make sense if he is 'swinging for all he's worth.'Shamed by his earlier retreat, Uriel charges back into battle, swinging for all he's worth at Maggot 3.
Yes.
Arloric shoves forward, accidentally knocking Alexa aside on his way through.
"Sorry, Dorne!"
He takes his sword and swings at the maggot before Uriel and Ithilwen.
”Let the paladins use their gifts to heal me,” Aravashniel said to Telerin with crisp and annoyed tone. He had wanted to say more but Arloric's moving had him stopping to reconsider standing somewhere else.
”Sorry Dorne,” Arloric said when he stepped forward, pushing the rogue aside with his thigh and then his hip. Raising his sword above his head he brought it down at a smooth sweeping diagonal swing. The maggot sensing the air changing rolled away leaving the tiefling's attack empty, catching only air and dust. ---Or, if it's a +2 making the roll a 9, the slash hacks off a portion of it's face, including a portion of its lip hurtling it lost to the surrounding darkness. It's body stays there for a moment as if in disbelief and lays there shuddering.
Maggot 4 did not seem to care about Baleon's attack. It just laid there as if dead. Maybe it was a ploy and it was just playing possum, who knows? It didn't save maggot 1 at all. The bug was rendered a splattered stain on the floor. It was there, and suddenly it wasn't. Only a white pussy goo mixed with lines of red fanned out on the stones was left.
[X]----Ithilwen: Attacks maggot 3. An 11 hits. 3 damage.
[20]—Telerin: Tries to convince Aravashniel to help.
[19]—Alexa: Stabs at the maggot and misses
[16]--(4HP)Maggot 3: Attacked, a confirmed nat-1 will not hit. Bumped into Ithilwen's bottom and is now dazed for 1 round.
[15]—Aberus: Cures Uriel of his sickened status with Restorative Touch
[11]—Arloric: Attacks Maggot 3 with longsword. 7 misses. No damage. Or, it's a 9 and it hits, dealing 9 damage.
[7]—Baleon: Charge Attack with Greatsword vs maggot 1. A 13 hits. 16 damage.
[5]—Uriel: Charges and attacks maggot 3! +2 attack, -2AC
[X]----Ithilwen: Moves 20'. Attacks Maggot 5 with Scorpion whip, Arloric provides flanking. A 9 will hit. 3 Damage.
[20]—Telerin: Talks to Aravashniel, asking what school of magic he studied.(free action).
[19]—Alexa: Attacked Maggot...let's say maggot 5. He barfed on her last round and Ithilwen damaged it. So.......1 damage.
[19]--Maggot 1: Barfs on Uriel! Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1 minute
[16]--Maggot 3: Barfs on Ithilwen! Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1 minute. -
[15]—Aberus: Attacked, and got a 1. -whooosh!
[11]—Arloric: Casted Deathwatch, senses Maggot 4 is not dead, but its life-force is ebbing away.
[7]—Baleon: Attacks with great sword. Hits with a 19. 9 damage.
[5]—Uriel: Failed his fortitude save and withdraws.
[X]Ithilwen: Attacked with a crit: 3 damage to maggot 4
[20]—Telerin: Total Defense, protecting Aravashniel +4AC
[19]—Alexa: Draws her weapon and attacks . A 6 misses.]
[19]--Maggot 1:Takes a 5 foot step above Uriel. It attacks Uriel!
[19]--
[18]--
[16]--Maggot 3: Takes a 5 foot step towards Alexa. It attacks Alexa!
[15]—Aberus: Moved and drew a weapon
[11]—Arloric: Attacked Maggot 4 with longsword. A 17 hits, and 4 damage is given. It has stopped moving.
[7]—Baleon: Attacked maggot 2,with a greatsword. A 9 hits, and 14 damage is -overkill-. It is obviously dead.
[5]—Uriel: Attacks maggot 1 with a cold iron bastard sword? An 8 misses.
[2]—Maggot 5: It barfs on Alexa! Fortitude Save DC 13, or be sickened for one minute.
Worse Armasse ever!
Just minutes ago your whole world was torn asunder. It was supposed to be a great time with drinking, games, and enough fried foods to put clog the veins of a dragon.
Oh, right.
Yeah....
Terendelev is dead.
The matron of Kenabres and silver dragon is gone, decapitated by Khoramzzedeh shortly when the demons filled the city's walls. As you spend some time gathering your feelings and thoughts you all see something shiny softly shimmering in the darkness. From the guts and dust you each find pull one dragon scale. Each one is silver, and when you hold them you have a sense of Terendelev's love for Keneabres and her regrets for not being able to succeed in saving it. Also, you feel the hope she has in you to right the wrongs that happened today. On top of that, she bestowed some of her power to you.
Quoted from the module:
Cloudwalking : Three times per day as a standard action,
a scale can be used to cast levitate. A pillar of roiling clouds
rises below the levitating object or creature, growing and
shrinking with the target's altitude. This pillar is 5 feet in
diameter (regardless of the target's size) and provides
concealment (20% miss chance) to any creature or object
wholly contained within. -Alexa, Arloric
Disguise: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale
can be used to cast alter self. While disguised, the target gains
a +4 bonus on all Bluff checks made against evil creatures. -Ithilwen
Resistance: Three times per day as a standard action, a scale
can be used to cast resist elements-but only against electricity
or cold. -Aberus, Telerin
Sacred Weaponry: Three times per day as a standard action,
a scale can be used to cast align weapon, but only to make a
weapon lawful or good. Unlike a normal align weapon spell,
this effect can be cast on an unarmed strike or natural weapon. -Baleon, Uliel
[X]----Ithilwen: Attacks maggot 3. An 11 hits. 3 damage.
[20]—Telerin: Tries to convince Aravashniel to help.
[19]—Alexa: Stabs at the maggot and misses
[16]--(4HP)Maggot 3: Attacked, a confirmed nat-1 will not hit. Bumped into Ithilwen's bottom and is now dazed for 1 round.
[15]—Aberus: Cures Uriel of his sickened status with Restorative Touch
[11]—Arloric: Attacks Maggot 3 with longsword. 7 misses. No damage. Or, it's a 9 and it hits, dealing 9 damage.
[7]—Baleon: Charge Attack with Greatsword vs maggot 1. A 13 hits. 16 damage.
[5]—Uriel: Charges and attacks maggot 3! +2 attack, -2AC
[X]----Ithilwen: Moves 20'. Attacks Maggot 5 with Scorpion whip, Arloric provides flanking. A 9 will hit. 3 Damage.
[20]—Telerin: Talks to Aravashniel, asking what school of magic he studied.(free action).
[19]—Alexa: Attacked Maggot...let's say maggot 5. He barfed on her last round and Ithilwen damaged it. So.......1 damage.
[19]--Maggot 1: Barfs on Uriel! Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1 minute
[16]--Maggot 3: Barfs on Ithilwen! Fortitude save DC 13 or be sickened for 1 minute. -
[15]—Aberus: Attacked, and got a 1. -whooosh!
[11]—Arloric: Casted Deathwatch, senses Maggot 4 is not dead, but its life-force is ebbing away.
[7]—Baleon: Attacks with great sword. Hits with a 19. 9 damage.
[5]—Uriel: Failed his fortitude save and withdraws.
[X]Ithilwen: Attacked with a crit: 3 damage to maggot 4
[20]—Telerin: Total Defense, protecting Aravashniel +4AC
[19]—Alexa: Draws her weapon and attacks . A 6 misses.]
[19]--Maggot 1:Takes a 5 foot step above Uriel. It attacks Uriel!
[19]--
[18]--
[16]--Maggot 3: Takes a 5 foot step towards Alexa. It attacks Alexa!
[15]—Aberus: Moved and drew a weapon
[11]—Arloric: Attacked Maggot 4 with longsword. A 17 hits, and 4 damage is given. It has stopped moving.
[7]—Baleon: Attacked maggot 2,with a greatsword. A 9 hits, and 14 damage is -overkill-. It is obviously dead.
[5]—Uriel: Attacks maggot 1 with a cold iron bastard sword? An 8 misses.
[2]—Maggot 5: It barfs on Alexa! Fortitude Save DC 13, or be sickened for one minute.
Holding the scale of the fallen silver, the elf will say a short prayer to the gods of good that they receive her soul and reward her for the goodness she was to those in the Worldwound.
Aberus watched the last maggot get pounded and sliced into oblivion. Looking around at his companions, he asked "Was anyone hurt in that fight? I can heal minor wounds if needed."
The elf will notion to Aberus about the male elf giving an indication that the damage to his eyes looks bad.
Alexa spits on the maggots, mostly just to get the foul-smelling slime off of her lips.
"...that was disgusting."
Aberus saw Telerin gesture politely to the elven man whose eyes had been taken and his heart sank. There's really no good way to do this. "I am sorry, Telern, and sir. The spell that can restore your eyes," he began, then paused as he turned his head to address the woman with the mangled leg on the ground, "and mend your broken leg, my lady, is beyond my ability. I am limited to simple injuries."
He continued in what he hoped was an appropriately humble voice, saying, "I wish I could do more on my own. I can finish fashioning the splint to stabilize your leg, my lady. I can also assist with the bandages for your eyes, sir, to prevent infection. But we must return to the surface to find a priest who has been gifted with the power to fully heal you."
Arloric grunts as his magic wears off and he returns to human size. Noticing some of the others rummaging among the dust, he joins in, only to gape in shock as they find Terendelev's scales.
"By every god and their mother..." he says weakly.
"I know nothing is outside the cycle, not even a dragon, but...it doesn't feel right that we're still alive when she's dead. She was...she almost seemed invincible in her defense of the city. Now she's gone, and the demons are running free in Mendev. We've got to get to the surface somehow. I don't know where Red-Branch or my uncle are!"
It's with a satisfied grin that Ithilwen witnesses the two warriors and the giant caretaker cleave through the remaining maggots. "I believe we're all good, Aberus. The only things that were wounded were our nostrils... and our pride. Those bloated larvae weren't good at much beside vomiting on people and bumping into their derrières" she says, marking her words by forcibly lowering a leather boot on the overgrown vermin's still twitching mandibles, crushing them for good measure. Sorry, but you weren't my type. You're slimy, you're clingy, and now, you're dead.
Her satisfaction is short-lived, however, as another rivulet of viscous mucus slides down her hair and under her armour. "Today's truly been the definition of 'just when you thought things couldn't get any worse'" she sighs. And it's not over yet. Far from. "Here. Let me see what I can do" she says as she moves her left hand over Alexa's hair, the disgusting substance finally receding and apparently dissipating.
Ithilwen suddenly feels a profound sense of peace falling over her, as if suddenly everything that has happened until now – the Worldwound coming to Kenabres, Alexa's still missing brother, their disgusting meeting with the caves' denizens – has faded away into insignificance. The fact that such a majestic creature, whose name she had heard been sung in praise every day since she had first set foot into Kenabres, was so brutally butchered in front of her eyes should fill her with dread and despair. Instead, another feeling slowly creeps its way into the half-drow's heart. She feels... loved.
"Miles is also missing. But there's no way out whence we came." Falling here... we might very well have been the lucky ones." She knows better than to voice such a dismal thought aloud, though. "And as much as it pains me to say it, we... we should focus on those we can help, at least in the short term" she says with a grimace on her face, averting her stare as if unable to look either Arloric or Alexa in the eyes.
Moving next to Aberus, she can't help but witness the direness of the elf's wounds. "Alas, my magic is little more than a mummer's tricks... Is there nothing you can do to ease their pain?" she says softly.
Alexa, thankfully no longer dripping with maggot puke, wrinkles her nose as Arloric discovers the set of dragon scales. "Agreed--we need to get moving, now. We have to make sure Terendelev's sacrifice was not in vain."
She starts moving towards the eastern tunnels. "Telerin? Help Aravashnial forward. Aberus, help the lady up and help her move. Mr. Gwerm? Stick with the others. I'm going to scout ahead and see if there's another path out of here."
Aberus, help Anevia up and help her move.
Driving his sword into the remains of the nearest maggot one last time, more out of frustration and a general desire to be avenged upon the putrid creature than any worry that it yet lived, Uriel sighed, as though exhaling the adrenaline from the fight. He shook his head. Shameful. Is that what you are, a coward that can't tolerate bug vomit? he asks himself. Grandfather would be ashamed of you he thinks, gazing at the winged hilt of his sword, idly wondering whether he had meant the mortal grandfather from whom he had inherited the sword, or the holy ancestor the hilt's iconography represented. Shaking his head onke again, he tears the blade free of the creature's head, wipes the slime from its dark length, and fluidly sheathes it in the scabbard on his back. Next time he thinks, stepping back towards the group, then nearly slipping when his foot comes down on something hard, glinting a metallic silver despite the dust. Stooping down, he picks it up, turning it over in his hands. "Is this... he breathes, barely more than a whisper. "No...Terendelev." He feels a pang of sadness then, swallowed almost immediately by a righteous fury. Holding the scale aloft, he vows aloud "They will pay for this. The Storm King, his minions, every one of them!"
Arloric looks like he's about to cry, but he swallows it and clutches the scale to his chest.
"You're right. We're not dead yet. They might not be either."
He hears Ithilwen's question and shakes his head a bit.
"I can heal her flesh-wounds, but the leg's beyond my power right now. That said, I can help her along."
He goes over to Aberus and the lady.
"A merry meeting, such as it is," he says sheepishly as he helps Aberus help her up.
"Could you tell us your name, Milady?"
Baleon's fingers trembled as he clasped the silver teardrop scale. As the party around him begins to form a plan, he grits his teeth, and tightens his grip on the scale, almost cutting his fingers against its sharp edge.
Arloric voices breaks through Baleon's stupor, and he turns toward the younger druid as he says:
"You're right. We're not dead yet. They might not be either."
Baleon pockets his scale, strides to Aravashnial's side and begins helping the wizard to his feet.
"We will find them, Arloric. Besides, you and I, we've faced bad before." He chuckles.
"Let's help get these ones moving while Alexa scouts ahead, huh?" Baleon nods toward Aravashnial and the hobbled woman.
"Hope you'll beg my pardon, sir," He says to Aravashnial.
"My name is Baleon. We'll get you back to the city and find someone to help you."
As he is helping Aravashnial, he asks aloud:
"I don't suppose anyone here would know anything about these tunnels? They wouldn't be man - made, would they? Perhaps they lead back up into the city itself?"
Prestidigitation is a wonderful spell and most people don't know that it was designed by the Order of Fairy Godmothers for the very purpose Ithilwen is using it for. Many a maiden were transformed from commoner to princess with the power that spell provided. And, it's verbal component is, in actuality, 'Bippity-boppity-boo!' The goo vanishes in a loud puff cubic foot by cubic foot till until everyone is free of the slime. Despite this Aravashniel still looks cranky.
”Yes, I understand,” he said tersely. He then reached out to feel out who was speaking to him patting at his face and his armor to guess who he was speaking with. The woman with the broken leg managed to climb back onto her feet, the splint did its job and kept her upright. She watched the elf talk. “However, there is the risk of infection. I may not get my eyes back but my skin will close.”
”And I wouldn't mind not feeling the pain anymore, “ The woman added and glanced down at her mangled appendage and sighed. “So annoying. But you're right, you all do need to get out of here and it would be alright if you left us behind. I won't ho--” Horgus Gwerm then stepped in and interrupted her with a hand raised, finger pointed at the ceiling.
”This woman cannot speak for me or that elf. A thousand gold if you get me to the surface and then to safety!” He proclaimed loudly. The man certainly was dressed well, maybe he is good for it. Aravashniel scoffed him and pointed a finger at him....er, well, more like at Ithilwen's decolletage. Telerin may need to discreetly put that finger in the correct direction.
”The paladins of Kenabres cannot be bribed!” He announced back at him. Gwerm narrowed his eyes at him, pursed his thin lips and kept his mouth shut leaving it now to the seven of you to decide.
”But, I might know something about these tunnels,”” the elf replied to Baleon's question.
”Right. Sure. Anyway, my name is Anevia.” The woman said.
"Anevia? As in Anevia Tirabade, the famed Worldwound scout?!"
The elf will speak to her kinsman Come, we must get out of here and get you to a place where you might heal in peace and quiet. she says in elven and in a friendly manner, a smile on her face and in her voice.
Aberus finished the splint and with Baleon's help got the lady Anevia to her feet. "Thank you, Baleon. I wish we could meet under better circumstances, Lady Anevia."
He turned to the elf and said, "I will do what I can for your wounds, and for the lady's as well."
Finally, he faced Uriel. "And thank you for making sure they are all dead. We don't want them coming back after I do this."
Aberus presented his still-glowing holy symbol and concentrated briefly, letting Sarenrae's grace flow around him.
"Sir Gwerm, there is wisdom in Alexa's words. While I can appreciate your desire to return to the surface directly, we know neither what waits for us above, nor what lies in here in the caverns. Our best chances for survival are as a group, even one that includes the wounded. Anevia can still shoot with an injured leg. Our elven companion may not be able to see, but he can still cast any spells he has memorized. And we must proceed with caution, which means we would not be moving quickly regardless."
Anevia looked startled for a moment when Arloric called her by her surname and chewed her lip. ”I had no idea I was so famous. How did you hear about me?” She then glanced towards Aberus and smirked. ”Nice of you to call me a 'lady, thanks.'”
Aravashniel responded to Telerin. ”Peace and quiet is now a luxury.”
Aberus' speech is nice and it shuts Horgus up and gave him something to think about, but his frown still ran deep and disapproving. The scratch on his face disappeared with the channeled energy, and Aravashnial's angry wounds, those that can be seen aside from the strips of cloth covering his face dull and turn pink from the throbbing red color.
Anevia sighed in relief. ”Much better.”
The gods are with us. the elf states. I do not think that we are meant to perish in this underground maze but I do agree that we should not dally in our endeavor to return to the surface. Is everyone able to move with or without assistance? she asks.
"I talk with some the more...tolerant Crusader patrols, and many of them cite the information you've obtained from scouting as what saved them from traps or ambushes. As someone with a vested interest in doing the same one day, I've wanted to meet you! Plus, I'm the assistant groundskeeper at Truestone Park, where you and your wife, Lady Irabeth, have had many a romantic moonlit walk."
He finishes with a wink.
Aberus took stock of his companions now that he had some time to do so. As he suspected earlier, he recognized most of them from the previous night in the Defender's Heart.
The aasimar woman with the black hair, Alexa, had been there with a young boy that he now understood was her younger brother, Miles. They had been together for Armasse, too, but if he had fallen through the---what, exactly, a rift of some sort that had closed soon after it opened?---he was not answering. That did not bode well and Aberus did not want to think about the alternatives. Based on the chatter between the others, the surface was even more dangerous than where they were now. What she must be going through...no wonder she volunteered to scout ahead. She feels a greater pull from there than the rest of us.
As he watched her reason with the pudgy man named Horgus, it occurred to him that Alexa looked vaguely familiar. I've seen her before. But where? Well, the Defender's Heart, obviously, but before that. He had seen her from somewhere else, but he couldn't figure out from where. It probably explained why he kept staring at her last night.
Horgus, he could tell (because it was so ridiculously obvious how could you miss it?), was potentially a problem. He was used to having things a certain way, and having them promptly. This situation was going to challenge his view of himself, and in Aberus's experience people like this did not fare well when the things they depended on for power and influence were taken away. He would try to reassert some authority again. The key to defusing him was to find a way for him to feel useful: give him some semblance of control without actually giving him control. Easier said than done. First we have to figure out how he can contribute.
He saw a potential problem in Aravashniel, as well, though at least in his case it was more directly attributable to his condition rather than just being a glaring personality flaw. The elven man had lost his sight, and he was feeling vulnerable. He was not used to vulnerability. This would be a trickier problem to solve, since placating him would make the problem worse. He, too, had to feel useful and be given some semblance of control. Fortunately, Baleon had provided the perfect opportunity here by asking about the caverns. If Aravashniel really did have knowledge here, then he could fill the role of expert and guide. He wouldn't necessarily need his vision for that.
This, he reasoned, would be a good place to start.
Aberus addressed the group. "I am not sure that we have all been introduced. Since we may be down here a while... My name is Aberus, acolyte in the church of the Dawnflower." He then turned to face Aravashniel, so that he could be more easily heard, and asked, "Sir Aravashniel, anything you know about these tunnels would be most welcome. It may, in fact, save our lives. What can you tell us?"
Alexa's jaw tightens as she scouts forward, keeping to the shadows as much as she can. The bickering and chattering of everyone else would do nothing but distract her now.
I need to find a safe way forward. I need to find Miles. One step at a time.
Here, let me at least cover your wounds to stave off infection and other damage. as she covers the eyes with the torn part of her robe.
Hopefully it will help with the elf, I am not sure is the DM added any bonuses to it
"I'm... Ithilwen" says the half-drow after some hesitation, chiming in immediately after Aberus. "Scout in training; though it seems the training's over now. Still. I believe that puts me at your orders, Lady Anevia" she adds in a subdued yet serious tone, bowing slightly towards the limping woman. As many in Kenabres, she had heard of Lady Tirabade's exploit, to the point there had been a time she entertained the thought of her actually being her mysterious saviour – an idea she quickly discarded once she was able to get a closer look. I had no idea she had a wife, however.
"I... we can be your legs and your eyes, if you accept to be our expertise and wisdom" she offers, addressing Aravashniel in particular.
She turns and sees Alexa has already accrued a conspicuous head start. My place is with her. Before catching up with her, however, she whispers a couple of words while pointing a long, tapered fingered towards Aberus.
"This will help us remain in contact. If we find danger, I'll notice you immediately.
Arloric nods at Ithilwen's words.
"Better hustle. Dorne's got a head-start on you."
Aberus watched as Ithilwen worked an arcane spell, then pointed her finger at him. It was strange having magic directed at you---literally directed right at you---like that. Even stranger was that he intuitively understood how this spell functioned. Something tells me I'm going to get used to this sort of thing very soon.
He whispered his reply. "That is a brilliant idea, Ithilwen. I'm also relieved that Alexa won't be up there by herself."
As she and Alexa walked out of sight, he turned his attention to one of the silver scales the others had been holding. Terendelev's scales. He had seen the great silver dragon only two other times since coming to Kenabres. The first time was exactly a year ago, on his first Armasse. The second was some unimportant day in the spring when he happened to see her leaving Iomedae's temple, turning to dragon form and then flying off over the city. He knew precious little about dragons: they come in various colors, some are good and some are evil, and they live for hundreds of years. And they are terrifying, too, (even the good ones) and extremely difficult to kill. That she was dead seemed an impossible reality. It was a tragic loss for all of Golarion, not just here. And that she was actually killed by the Storm King? It was horribly demoralizing. It was all so wrong.
She died saving us. He picked up one of the scales, and almost dropped it when he felt a sudden warmth run through him unexpectedly. What is...? And then he understood that she was still working to save them. With this, he could replicate a spell that provided resistance against bitter cold and electricity, three times each day. Even in death...
He saw Baleon working to keep his composure. Terendelev served the leadership of Iomedae's church, tirelessly and selflessly. Baleon was a paladin of Iomedae, and probably had crossed paths with Terendelev on many occasions. This will be especially hard on him.
He and Baleon had actually met some months ago. Aberus hadn't known about Baleon's connection to Iomedae, and in a moment of ill-timed candor Aberus explained not just what had happened to his father, but also some of his opinions on the matter. The awkward silence that followed was almost unbearable. Fortunately for Aberus, Baleon was quick to point out that his relationship with his deity was, as he put it, "tumultuous". Aberus didn't ask him to elaborate, figuring he had already done enough damage for one evening, and it wasn't his business, anyway. Baleon seemed to be understanding and it didn't wreck their relations, and that night Aberus both thanked Sarenrae for how lucky he had been and resolved to not repeat that mistake.
Telerin again tends to Aravashniel's bandages. He still is not happy, but how can he be? His face was literally exploded off his skull. It's a it of a frustration having to deal with an injury like this, especially when Kenabres is in such need of heroes.
”They're old,” the elf sighed audibly and took a moment to clear his heart and his thoughts so he could give a calculated, correct answer for Aberus and Ithilwen. ”That can go without saying. But, what I can tell you would not necessarily be factual as it would be based on urban legends. Nobody knows the true reason why these catacombs were constructed, but scholars are certain that it was likely those from the first crusade. It's speculated that they wanted to hide something. That said, you must consider that it was believed that all this was just stories. A myth, and not at all real.”
Anevia blushed and was not really sure how to respond to Arloric's statement. It made her blush, that's for certain, and her mouth gently fell open. However, the wizard's little lecture on the catacombs gave her the distraction needed to not answer him. For awhile she listened and consequently failed to notice that Ithilwen was talking to her. Suddenly, she gasped, did a double take, and then apologized . Her cheeks and ears were pink making her freckles more noticeable. Despite her leg, she returned the bow. ”Oh, I'm sorry. I got a little sidetracked. I'll help. If it means getting me back to my wife I'll shower you with whatever wisdom I've got!”
Alexa disappears into the shadows. Saying nothing, out loud, she purses her lips and with a stern look of determination on her brow the rogue lets the darkness swallow her (like the Batman). After Ithilwen talked with Anevia she followed (like the Boy Wonder).
[-]You are observed. Arloric and Aberus have watched both of you run away. The others will have to use perception to see you.
[-]You move at half speed unless you have mad skills that let you move at full speeds.
[-]And you can snipe! That looks like fun, and handy. Pew! Pew!
[-]NANANANA BATMAAAAAAN!
"Thank you, Aravashniel. Legends tend to grow out of kernels of truth, so I won't discount anything for the time being." He thought for a moment, and then turned to the pudgy Mr. Gwerm. "Sir Horgus, how long have you lived in Kenabres? Have you heard any of these stories?"
Bringing up the group's rear behind the wounded and their caregivers, Uriel listens idly to the conversations as he scans for threats, uttering prayers of protection to Ragathiel under his breath. Did she say her...wife? Odd. Uriel frowns, considering. Yes, that was definitely what she said. With a slight shrug, he continues on. He had little dealings with such relationships, or any romance really, so it wasn't his concern. Let Erastilians argue about weddings. I'm here to drive demonic filth back into the Abyss. None of my concern who keeps who company. Even so, he felt the name should've ring a bell. Tirablade, was it?
Ithilwen briefly nods at Aberus and Arloric. "Remember. Lowest kill-count buys a round" she says with a wink, before swiftly dashing into the engulfing darkness. It doesn't take her long to finally catch up with Alexa, and she immediately falls in line behind the nimble aasimar, two agile shadows moving in the darkness.
Baleon listened to the conversations going on around him, temporarily content to help support Aravashnial in silence. He regarded Aberus as the cleric took to engaging everyone and forming a plan.
Man has initiative. Good. He smiled, recalling his first meeting with the younger priest some months ago.
At the elven wizard's pointed declaration, Baleon cocked an eyebrow, his eyes darting between Aravashnial's pointed finger and Horgus' dagger slit eyes.
This seems... Hostile. He thought, trying to fathom Aravashnial and Horgus' mutual animosity.
At Arloric's mention of Anevia and her wife, Baleon's expression visibly softens. His gaze trails after Anevia and Ithilwen as they disappear into the gloom to follow Alexa.
He looks at Aberus.
"We should start moving along behind those three." He says, nodding to the maw of darkness that has since swallowed Alexa, Ithilwen, and Anevia.
"Uriel," Baleon says, regarding the younger paladin.
Baleon had, up until last night and today at least, very little interaction with the fire-haired aasimar, though they ran in similar circles. The man's reputation as a ferocious knight preceded him, and Baleon both admired and feared the stories of the warrior's tenacity and fervor, as well as his rumored ancestry from Ragathiel himself.
"You should probably take point ahead. Aberus, Arloric, and Sir Gwerm," Baleon says, nodding to each man in turn until he comes to the nobleman, to whom Baleon offers a stiff bow of his head before continuing.
"You three should take the centre where you will have the most protection. Aravashnial and I shall form the rear guard." Baleon loops an arm around the wizard's shoulder to better guide him.
"Sounds like the best strategy. You paladins are probably the best tacticians here," Arloric says. He finally wraps his eyepatch back around his head, hiding his dark eye once more.
For those who do not know me, I am Telrin Quenya of Kyonin. My speciality of magic is in abjuration or protection magic. Combat may not be my forte but I am happy to use what little magic I know on threats that arms may not be able to defend against. she says.
Look at the map.
Now, look at me.
Back to the map, and then back to me.
...I'm on a horse.
Moo!
Cow.
As you can tell by the map that once you've moved East approximately twenty feet you'll discover a choice needs to be made because there are two caves. Going straight East will earn you all bloody noses as you bump into the walls, but feeling around you'll eventually find both caves. That said, some of you have great eyesight and can lead those that don't see in the dark as well. With the injured NPCs traveling will be slower forcing you to move at 15 feet a turn, which I doubt will be much of an issue. Two of you are stealthy and sneaking about slows you down to half speed anyway. Those that have played this module before may be aware that there is a random encounter chart. At ever 150 feet traveled I will roll a percentile die. If it falls within the range of 35% more monster will try nibbling your buns.
Now that it looks like you're ready to move on, where do you want to go? And, you might want to give me a marching order.
"Telerin, you are welcome to use my crossbow if you wish, though I'm afraid I only have 20 bolts in that quiver."
Aberus listened to Baleon's suggestion, folding his arms and resting his chin on his right hand, then nodded as Arloric replied. "I agree as well. I know little of these matters, and clearly you do."
"Sir Horgus, how long have you lived in Kenabres? Have you heard any of these stories?"
Nodding at Baleon's words, Uriel picks up his pace and moves up ahead of the column, albeit still trailing the scouts significantly. Just in case, he unsheathes his blade and holds it out in front of him, ready for anything.