| Logs |
2001 December 01
| Inizii |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Inizii Logs |
Into the Darkness
Kyrel and Demitri return to Lliara's temple, the moon rising higher in the night sky. Pushing through the back door, leading to the small rooms of their lodging, they meet Silniya and Derleth, the swordwoman pacing up and down the hall.
Kyrel says, "Things are getting worse. We came across a murdered Ilmaterian on the way home. We should know something about onyx imports in a couple days, but now I'm not sure we have a couple days...."
Derleth grins grimly. "We'll nae need a few days, spellslinger. Silniya sniffed out the bad lads, an we 'ad the opportunity to glean a number of interesting tidbits. ;)"
Kyrel twitches both eyebrows at that. "Indeed? What did you find out?"
The werewoman nods. "Aye. In the cemetery. Apparently, there's a tunnel beneath it."
Derleth holds up his index finger. "Firstly, sommat's been stealing the corpses of warrior an' replacing the bodies of less able men in their place. Second, aye, like Sil says there be a tunnel 'neath the graveyard. And thirdly, we 'ave proof Talona's get are behind this."
Kyrel says, "Proof? What kind of proof? The murdered priest was surrounded by a symbol like the one in my dream - drawn in his own blood, I think."
Derleth says, "The proof be that the mages we espied on were wearing Talona's robes. We also 'ave a name: Lord Grim. An' a moniker, 'The Wind' t' check up on."
Silniya tips her head, glancing over at the cleric. "They were both wizards? It seemed they were comparing different types of magics..."
Kyrel grins at the werelady. "There are. But we're still all wizards." He nods to Derleth. "Ah... that'd do it, all right. Stealing warriors' bodies... means they want to try an assault, or else that they're setting up guards somewhere. Undead usually have the same skills they did in life."
Derleth says, "Nae so, Kyrel. True, zombies an skeletons d'nae have such skills...but what if'n they mean t' create more powerful undead? Intelligent undead?"
Kyrel says, "That'd be my assumption, yes. Why go to all that trouble to steal particular bodies if they weren't planning to utilize their life-skills? Whatever type of undeath they need to do it, I suspect they'll try."
Silniya nods as she thinks about Kyrel's remark. "Aye... I just thought one was more like...the difference, magic wise, in Derleth and you."
Kyrel shrugs. "As may be. There are book-mages and sorcerors, though, and we're rather ... competitive. Could have been that, or it could have been a cleric. A cleric in Talona's robes would be even more proof, though."
Derleth scratches his chin. "One were a mage, for sure. Th' other coul' have been a cleric...he wore Her clerical vestments."
Derleth says, "Oh...and before ah forget...th' last thing we picked up from spying were something about a Feline plague...we shoul' get that information t' the Churches an the city guard."
Kyrel says, "A feline plague? Why would they want to kill off the city's cats?"
Derleth shakes his head. "A plague to kill cats, Kyrel? or a plague spread *by* cats? remember, ye heard the cry of a cat earlier t'day...could be that one was being absconded with fer a foul plot..."
Kyrel hmmmms, considering that possibility and not liking it much. "We'd best put a stop to that as soon as we can. Too many mages have cat familiars for me to feel good about it either way."
A glance between the cleric and wizard. "Do we plunge into the tunnel this eve, then?"
Derleth says, "Methinks that is the swiftest course. We should pass on this infermation just in case they loose their next scourge while we be on route...but we cannae let then take th' offensive again, or we'll lose more innocent folk."
Demitri glances toward Kyrel. "What of the guildhouse?"
Derleth tilts his head. "Guild house?"
Kyrel says, "The local Thieves' Guild has been ... shall we say, superseded by some kind of criminal maneuvering. There may be a connection, though the names you mentioned didn't turn up in our discussion this evening. We were able to buy the location of the old Guildhall."
The rogue gives Kyrel a curious glance. "Connection? Seemed pretty damn coincidental."
Derleth frowns. His hands had been idly stuffing tobacco into his pipe and he lights it and takes a puff. "Such acts are common, gents. What makes ye think tis important?"
Kyrel shrugs. "Don't know if it's important or not. We'll keep it in mind if the tunnels don't pan out for us."
Demitri tips his head. "Well, considering disease took many of them out, and the head guildmaster was likely poisoned?"
Derleth nods. "Th' grave-robbin' lads wearing th' Pain Mistress's colors would be a more direct link..." he pauses as Demitri mentions this wrinkle, puffing thoughtfully.
Kyrel says, "All before the current plague started. It could be a coincidence... but I'm not betting a whole lot on it."
Derleth says, "Poison is as much any man's tool as Talona's...but diease...that be more likely t' be Her work."
The rogue nods. "Well then. Let's see... You mentioned Lord Grim," he counts upon his fingers, "A Feline Plague, and...'The Wind', was it? I'll do a little spreading around of this information."
Derleth says, "Ye d'nae know of a Lord Grim off th' top o' yer head? He d'nae be a publicly known name?"
Kiri cheeps in annoyance as a bit of smoke drifts over Kyrel. The half-elf soothes his familiar quietly. "There, there..."
A shake of the head is given to the cleric. "Can't say I have."
Derleth sighs. "Drat. T'would be a useful think iff'n we coul' tie this to a known man..."
Kyrel says, "Can't have everything. Shall we go explore the tunnels?"
Silniya looks between the two. "Wait. Shouldn't you two review your roster of spells? Ensure you have a little more, well, power for this?"
Derleth looks at the mage. "Iff'n ye think the Thieves guild is a lesser worry, mage..." He hmmmms, gnawing on the tip of his pipe. "Ah've nae had much praying t' do, swordlady...but true, me spells are nae especially directed t' taking on the undead..."
"The undead. And spellcasters," the woman notes.
Kyrel shrugs. "I've used nothing important today. I don't think that renewing a cantrip or two is worth the loss of time."
Derleth smiles. "Ah've spells fer casters, surely...just nae undead...ah d'nae...don' want t' waste time..."
The rogue claps his hands. "Well then. I'll get to my contacts, and let you gents get to this dirty bussiness."
Derleth nods. "An it please ye, Master Demitri."
Kyrel grins. "What, you don't want to come along for the fun? Stay discreet, please."
Demitri shakes his head. "I'm not really suited for the sort've thing you fellows are delving into. I'm more skilled in slipping in unawares than battling the walking dead. I can handle street toughs, armor-loaded louts ... no offense," he offers to Silniya, who smirks, "Not death-hurling disease-followers."
Derleth nods. "We need one t' spread the word, anyway. T'will save time nae t' worry about it ourselves."
Kyrel says, "Quite understandable. Would you consider taking a message to the Temple of Ilmater for us?"
Silniya frowns. "A suggestion. If we're down a man, then...why not hire another?"
Kyrel says, "Do you have anyone in mind? The problem at the moment is finding someone we can be sure isn't on the other side."
Derleth grins at Silniya. "What, are ye worried lass that we cannae take these men on ourselves? True, we might be a scant three, but we delt a blow to Ebrek e'en wi' only that number..." He nods at Kyrel's comment as well. "Finding another woul' take time...time we may nae 'ave...less we go to th' temple ourselves an ask th' aid o' a paladin..."
Silniya smirks at Derleth, before moving her gaze back to Kyrel. "Then, why not a priest? Obviously, they're on the side of ours...Exactly," she nods to Derleth. "A paladin, or another cleric."
Kyrel says, "Worth a try, I suppose. I just hope we get one who speaks the language decently."
Derleth chews thoughtfully on his pipe, glaring at Kyrel. "Ah'll ignore that remark, laddie..." he says mock-dourly.
Kyrel snickers. "I'm not referring to you, Derleth. I'm talking about Bodan. Sir Me Heap Big Paladin."
Derleth laughs. "D'nae mock the fellow, Ky. Eee were a good companion d'spite his tendency t' ignore proper pronoun use...."
Kyrel nods. "Truth. Shall we head off to visit the Ilmaterians again, then?"
Derleth considers. "We shoul' ask th' Ilmaterians, aye. Ah love me own church well, but they'd probably want payment, an I'm in nae mood to haggle."
Kyrel grins. "What, you don't think we could get someone to sign on with us for the risk and the chance of treasure?"
Derleth chuckles wryly. "Mayhaps, but that'd take negotiation. Th' Ilmaterians are more like t' be immediately willing."
Kyrel says, "Let's be off, then. Time is wasting, and there are folks dying even as we sit here."
Derleth nods, taking a last puff of his pipe before putting it out and storing it.
The three leave the church, moving across the way to the Ilmaterian Church, while Demitri slinks off to seeder sections of the city. The three are greeted by a grim faced acolyte, looking haggard. "How may Ilmater ease your suffering?"
Derleth moves close to the acolyte. "Ye can best do that by having ye're superiors lending us a strong arm, novice. We've found Talona's get, an we mean t' bring battle t' them." he murmurs quietly.
The acolyte's eyes widen, a sad shake of his head. "Oh... Surely, we've lost two of Ilmater's speakers, this day... but certainly, I'll see what I might do..."
Derleth nods. "Ah feel for ye, lad, but ye have the power t' prevent more such sufferin! So move like ye have a purpose!"
Eyes wide, with a little bit of fear, the young man skitters down the hall, indeed running with reason.
Derleth smiles wryly. "Ah was ne'er that young..."
Kyrel says, "You may never have been that naive, Derleth... but everyone was young once.... Did you catch that? He said they've lost two. There's been more murder than the one we saw."
After several minutes, out walks an acomplished looking cleric with a hard face, strapping a belt to his waist. From which hanging a fierce looking morning star. "I was informed you were looking for a strong arm?"
Kyrel says, "Aye. We think we've located a serious lead to the ones behind this plague. Derleth?"
Derleth nods. "Aye, warrior. We've found foul work afoot...Talona's work. And her fell preists are out t' set loose more plagues t' decimate this city. We naed thy aid t enter one oh their lairs an put a stop t' their evil."
The man absorbs this in quiet, features turning further grim. Taking from beneath his vestments, the sound of metal clinking beneath, he nods. "Then, let us be gone. Move like we have a purpose." A smirk to Derleth.
Derleth chuckles wryly. "A moment..." He takes out a piece of paper and scribbles something on it. "This be what we know thus far...that the newest plague be involved with cats, and the men involved go by the names o' 'Lord Grim' and 'The Wind'." He hands the paper to one of the itinerant church guards. "Take this to yer high priests, an' make sure ye discover what ye can, in case the plague is loosed while we be off hunting." he instructs. The attendant takes the paper and runs off again.
Kyrel chuckles. "A hit, a palpable hit. Lead off, Derleth. You know the way...." As the group heads toward the cemetery, he completes the introductions. "I'm Kyrel, and the lady is Silniya. You are...?"
Derleth nods and leads the way....to the cemetery.
"Azler," The Ilmaterian replies, flexing his fingers lightly. A glance to Kyrel, as he speaks, a glance to Derleth, expectant.
Derleth grins. "Fortuneseeker Derleth, at yer service."
As they reach the cemetery gates, Silniya moves to open them...and grunts. "Locked."
Derleth curses. "Stopped by a lock." he looks at Kyrel. "Ah d'nae suppose ye have an unlocking dweomer about ye..."
Kyrel says, "You suppose correctly. A cantrip of opening doesn't work on locks. I suppose we just have to go over the top."
Azler inspects the lock a moment. "Or we destroy it."
Derleth shakes his head. "Tis a new lock. Ah could nae even make a dent wi'out Lliara's blessing...an I did nae ask for such a prayer as woul' grant me mighty strength. Kin ye, Azler?"
Kyrel says, "Unless...." He coaxes Kiri out from under his cloak and they stare intently at each other for a long moment. The bat chirrips and takes wing over the wall. "I sent him to look for the caretaker's hut. Maybe there'll be a key there."
Derleth grins. "Sound thinking, Ky. That bat's worth twice 'is weight in honeyed crickets."
The priest squeezes at the hilt to his morning star. "More a gift of the Crying Lord, a blessing of strength, for a moment. But I needn't waste that..." He watches as the bat soars over the wall, before turning to the wizard. "And, how is the bat going to communicate with them?"
Kyrel looks embarassed. "Actually, I told him to steal it if he saw one..."
Derleth shrugs. "Th' caretakers likely home in bed...an we need the key. Tis not as if we're keeping it..."
After waiting a few minutes, Kiri wings back to Kyrel, albet weakly, trying to tote a chain with a few keys on it. Moving through the bars in the gate, rather then over the wall, Kiri drops them at Kyrel's feet, and clings to him, looking relatively exhausted. He chirps briefly at the mage.
Derleth sighs happily. "Ah hope ye're takin' good care oh that winged wonder..."
Kyrel says, "I try to. Thank you, Kiri." He cuddles his familiar and then lets him go back to his usual perch under his tunic. "Let's see which is the right key..."
After the right key is found, and door opened, the four move through the cemetery, to the correct spot. Silniya has the Ilmaterian push the stone slab away, revealing a yawning pit of darkness. The swordwoman looks up, "Who goes in first, and who goes in last?"
Derleth considers. "Ye. then I, then Ky, then good Azler bringing up the rear, mayhap?" he suggests.
The priest gives Derleth a once over. "Perhaps the mage should go in last? I'm no swordsman, but I'm good with this," He taps the pummel of his morning star. "Unless you'd prefer I protect the mage's back?"
Kyrel says, "I think that would work out... I'll drop my torch in first, so we can see what we're doing."
Derleth nods to Azler. "Aye. Ah want our front an' back protected wi our strongest warriors, and that's ye and she."
"Agreed." Silniya holds her hand out to Kyrel. "Your torch?"
Kyrel nods. "Have to agree, at least until we know which way is forward down there..." He hands Silniya the torch. "It's enspelled so it won't go out."
She nods, and drops into the hole, now illuminated by the torch. Crude holes line one side, a ladder of sorts carved into the dirt. At the bottom, a two foot high, hole-wide passage has been cut into the north wall. She waves the torch toward it, calling up, "Our way in."
Kyrel nods. "Aye. Let's go, gentlemen." He starts down the makeshift ladder, carefully.
The four move down into the six foot pit, then the earthen tunnel below. Makeshift supports strewn about, to keep the ceiling from caving in. Along the walls, in spaced intervals, are simular two-foot-high holes, the remnants of broken coffins inside them. From further down the path to the left the sound of digging drifts up, picks and shovels, as well as the occasional distinct sound of shattering wood. From the right, only silence.
Kyrel whispers to the others, "I think that right is the way to our destination. Do we want to take out the folks in back of us first?"
Derleth shakes his head. "Twould be fun, but to nae useful purpose. The dead cannae harm us. We must go t' where they're t' be made into undead..."
Azler holds up a hand. "I have spells for detection and hiding from undead. A suggestion, as to who should we cloak from their unliving eyes?"
Derleth glances at Kyrel, and then at Silniya. "Which would ye say is the sneakiest o' us?"
Kyrel grins. "Kiri. But he's feeling a bit tired at the moment."
"Or, which of us can destroy the undead the most with one swing?"
Derleth chuckles. "T be honest, ah weren't counting th' poor fella. Besides, invisibilty twould be wasted on him...zombies wouldnae care for a bat." he looks at Axler. "Ah were thinking t' use yer offer to scout ahead, rather than in battle...the spell twould fail the moment one o us swung at the undead beasties anyway..."
Kyrel nods. "Best, I think. Either you or Silniya, then."
"A point," The priest replies, rubbing his chin. "But, I have a detection spell, as well; we needn't spend the invisibility so soon, if all I need to do is gaze outward."
Derleth nods. "Well thought. Pray fer your special sight then, and let us nae tarry longer."
"Indeed, then if I'm to scout, the lady can be at the back." The priest holds up his holy symbol, chanting for a few moments, before he gives a slight nod. Unhooking the spiked weapon at his side, "Let us be off."
The four continue down the tunnel for what seems like a good ten minutes, the Ilmaterian grumbling. "I think my spell has worn off," he frets. Then, a voice simular to that in the bazaar, the sound of leaves rusted by wind, enters the air. If such a voice could possibly sound chipper, it does. "Hello! Welcome!"
Azler pauses. "I see one... Up ahead."
Derleth blinks. "Is that voice speaking t' us?" he murmurs in an undertone.
Kyrel says, "I hope not. But it does sound familiar, doesn't it?"
Derleth nods thoughtfully...
The scrape of bone on the floor, as the voice draws closer. "No need to be quiet," It rasps, "Speak up! Up up. This isn't any way for a guest to behave!" Azler's teeth grit. "Getting closer."
Kyrel says, "Let's find a spot where I can work. A fireball here wouldn't be a good idea."
The scraping stops. "A fireball?" it calls back, "That's rather rude!"
Derleth makes a shushing noise, and then exaggeratedly puts his medallion down his tunic, motioning Azler to do like wise. "Come ahead, friend!" he calls to the voice.
Azler seems to get the hint, hiding his as well, though the robes of Ilmater are still a dead giveaway. The scraping continues. "Gentlemen," It hisses, "This vessel is not something meant for defense. Simply a...conversational medium." At the edge of the torchlight, a single skeleton steps into view. "No need to destroy a speaker for the host, now is it?"
Derleth smiles widely. "Fergive me, yer honor. Yon mage is a trifle skittish...after all, tis nae need for violence, is there?"
"Indeed!" The skeleton goes on, it's death-baring voice an odd blend with the friendly, cheerful outpour. "Why, as we speak, guards prepared, and defenses ready. Why, any intruder worth his salt would simply walk away. The intelligent thing, no?"
Derleth blinks. "Intruder? What makest ye think we are a danger to ye? We are recently hired and in thy service." he says innocently.
Silniya shifts uncomfortably, drawing her weapon, from behind Kyrel. Azler looks a little baffled, unsure whether to smash it or blather. "Because, my friend, the higher-ups would've alerted me. Not to mention, if you were thusly hired, you would've walked through the front door, no?"
Derleth shrugs affably. "Ah d'nae question the reasoning of me contact...we were hired with the promise of gold, and told t' enter the very spot we did...ah'd tell ye the name of the man, but he did not give it, only that we wert meant to perform a special task for 'The Wind'..."
The voice laughs, a rather harsh sound, in it's tone, but still that chipper light. "Indeed. And, you would've been hired by a pessimistic, self-sufficient assassin and second in command... For what? Considering how he's in the next room, I can easily ask him. In fact, allow me to send a steward." A pause. "Ah, now, he'll be along in a minute. Anyways, gentlemen, what were you hired to do, then, hm?"
+++Editor: Allow me, rather.
Derleth spreads his hands. "Why, to deal a crippling blow to the foul Ilmaterians. He said they'd information on thee and wert perparing to act on it...which is why our good man Relza did think to prepare ourselves by way of cutting down one o' the Crying God's get and taking his robes." he says, motioning to Azler. "Tis a good disguise, nae?"
"Ah hah. So, let me get this straight... You stripped a sacrifice of his holy vestments, after he was killed by our idiotic gullible simpleton, before the watch got there? Oh, good show!" A chuckle. "Now, gentlemen, you interrupted my game of chess. And, I don't appreciate my games being interrupted. So, you're fired. Please, leave the vicinity, if you would? And, no worries; you'll be heavily compensated."
Derleth sneers. "Fine then. Ye'd better hope fer a quick death when th' Ilmaterians appear on yuir doorstep and gut ye. Fortunately, they'll most likely give that t' ye, since they d'nae believe in suffering. Or d'ye nae care that they know of thy plans and thy whereabouts?"
A chuckle. "My dear boy, I see not your point. You come to cut down the Ilmaterians...by walking into my tunnel? If you were to strike a blow, you'd murder them as they helped one plague victim of the many varieties meant to be let loose. As for a quick death by the Ilmaterians? Political and financial power does have its sway. Anyway, I see it as two choices. Either turn away, walk out, and I would suggest leave the city, too, since some very nasty things are going to happen... Or, come inside, and be killed, then join the undead force. Your choice."
Derleth looks back at the others, silently asking what they should do...
Silniya nudges Kyrel, leaning to murmur, "If this is someone important, why not pump for information, at the very least?"
Kyrel whispers back, "I think he's bluffing. He might not have his defenses in place yet. Should we rush ahead, or back up?"
Derleth sighs. "We were told to come because we were to receive something that were to aid us, in that man's words. Else, aye, we would ha' gone t' the temple straight away. But if ye d'nae want our help, Lord Grim, then we wilt depart...."
"Ah, yes. Now, The Wind of the Plague tells me he hired no such people. So, gentlemen, I would ask you leave the premises, or be sandwiched in. I believe my apprentice is down the tunnel, and fighting a two-front battle is none-too-good."
Derleth shrugs. "Tis nae my fault yer men d'nae tell you all that they're about, Lord Grim. We will depart."
"Good, then." Another pause. "There he goes. The short little fellow is certainly not happy. Of course, I can't remember ever seeing the horned boy smiling. In any event, are we through, here? I hope I don't sound rude, but security measures, you know."
Derleth says, "We're through, Lord Grim. Ah thank ye at least for thy mercy, if nae thy gold. Tis regret we'll nae be able t' work together..." He moves to leave, gesturing to the others to do the same.
"Indeed. And, good show for keeping the charade up. If I could will the skeleton to clap, I would. Now, I'm not a violent man, and I understand the whole 'We're here to save the community, you're killing innocent people', bla bla bla. It's all business. Obligations, you see. I would rather be on the beaches of the Moonseas, studing for a bit, but college ties, and all that. In any event, good day, gentlemen." The voice pauses. "But, if you don't leave, I would be forced to take rather brutal measures."
Kyrel nods and turns back, listening carefully ahead - he doesn't trust the fellow animating the skeleton any further than he could throw a warhorse. "And we wouldn't want that to happen, would we?"
"Certainly not! But, for security purposes, one must keep the guards at alert. Do shut the tunnel on the way out!" The skeleton starts to back up, into the darkness.
Derleth does not reply, disappointed that his acting job didn't work. Silniya looks confused. "Are we leaving or going?" she hisses in a whisper.
Derleth tugs at his chin, and whispers back. "Ah dinna like the odds, especially in such confined quarters. An' if their defenses were nae prepared when we arrived, they mostlike are now. So the question is...d' we take what we can an' piss him off by laying waste to his apprentice down the way...or fall back an' pick a naew strategy..."
Kyrel glances at Derleth and Azler, and whispers. "What d'ya think? Is he bluffing or not?"
Azler draws in. "It's likely he might've alerted his apprentice, too, and thus we may have resistance if we go that way. Perhaps our best bet is to go in, headlong, and get to the mouthy Lord. If we can take his head, then everyone else would throw down their arms in surrender, no?"
Kyrel says, "Probably not unless we'd already killed them, but it's worth a try."
Derleth grunts. "Undead dinna typically surrender, Azler."
Kyrel says, "I've never even heard of the spell he's using here. I'm not sure what kind of power he has."
Derleth nods. "As I'm fond of saying, there's a time t' forge ahead, an this is nae it. At least we know more than we did when we came in..."
Silniya tilts her head. "If we leave, or give him time, he could alert anyone else on his side, in the city, if there are more, right? Then they would be aware of a resistance to their plans. If that skeleton got a look at us, this assassin may very well be baring down on us, sooner then we think."
Kyrel nods. "I think going forward is less dangerous at this point."
Derleth says, "Perhaps. The question is, d' they know what we know. Ah didnae give away my hole card...that we know it's a Feline plague...but still, ye make a good point..."
Kyrel has been pondering the possible spells that could be adapted to this use. "Have to figure it's similar to a familiar, or maybe a magic jar, linked to an animate dead. I'd be surprised if he couldn't see us... and if we stay in town we'll have assassins aimed at us when we're not alert. He's only had a few minutes, I say we go forward for now."
Azler nods, and takes up his morning star. "First, let's shatter that damned skeleton. Then, we make a run for it, no?"
Kyrel says, "Maybe.. but it's a good start."
Azler nods. "Then, let us go." The priest turns around and charges into the darkness, quite aware of the skeleton's placement. A grunt, and the satisfying sound of a weapon plowing through bone. "What was that?" Calls the skull, as it rolls into the torchlight, "Was that bone breaking?"
Derleth grunts, muttering a plea to Lliara to preotect reckless fools and lashes out with his flail, attempting to smash the skull.
"Why, this is rather annoying. I spent hours on those wards to link the skeleton on approach, and now someone goes and de-" The words halt as the skull shatters.
Derleth spits on the skull. "Let's move... 'ee knows we're back..."
Kyrel grins at the remnants of the skull. "We changed our minds..." He turns back to business. "Now. Do we want to charge down the tunnel, or do we want to take out his apprentice and then see if the Thieve's Guild entrance is more helpful? If he's pulled all his people back to guard this passage it might be easier."
"Unless," Silniya opts, "There's other people in the guild. If we went down to get his boy, then wouldn't he start sending folk from his position?"
Derleth says, "Ah'd point out that the Theive's guild is likely at the other end of this tunnel.... If we're gonna kill the apprentice, we might as well go straight through him to the guild, if that's what we're about..I thought we wert gonna storm Grim's gates..."
Kyrel says, "Good point. I did think he sounded like he was bluffing. Let's go forward."
"Not to mention," Azler adds, "That it's a good ten minutes down the tunnel, from where we came in. If he's not headed this way, then it would give Grim a lot more time."
Derleth nods. "Sil, guard our rear...and, into the fray we charge!"
The four head down the passage, but for only a minute, before they come to a door. Azler moves, pausing at it, looking to them, before the door itself. "Do you think it's warded? Or trapped?"
Derleth does not waver, casting an orison to detect magic and studying the door intently. He grunts. "Nae magic, but that dinna mean no traps. Azler, d'ye have the prayer t' detect traps at yer fingertips?"
The man shakes his head. "Nay. I was prepared to go into the bazaar, to hunt more diseased animals, actually..." A sigh. "Mayhap we should just kick the door in? Or try and pray for the best?"
Kyrel says, "I'd vote for kicking. Let's be about it."
Derleth nods. "Call on yer strength, Alzer. Let Ilmater aid ye in breaking yon door daewn."
He nods. "Let's see if normal strength will work." He rears back, and slams his mace into the door, just above the knob. It jars a little... then creaks open. The four are hit with the scent of decay, and another more...rank odor.
Kyrel suppresses a gag at the fetid stench. "I think we've found their workroom."
Derleth ignores the stench and opens the door with his foot, to reveal what is beyond....
A wall. More appropriately, a hallway, that goes on to the left. The smell is much stronger, now.
Derleth looks at Azler. "Any undead comin' our way, man?"
Kyrel says, "Ghastly odor..."
He shakes his head. "I sense...one. A weak one. Up ahead, but nothing else."
"Same marching order?" Azler asks, holding out his hand. "If so, the torch."
Derleth nods and hands it to him.
The four move in. The tunnel is short, taking a right turn. Azler pauses, at the turn, squinting. "We...may have a problem."
Kyrel says, "Just one?"
"Three little ones, or one big one..."
Derleth grunts. "This be the path we ha chosen...we'll nae back down naew...."
"And there's the undead - ah!" He ducks, as an arrow hits the wall above his head. "Damn you! Let's charge?"
Kyrel says, "Aye, let's..."
Derleth raises his mage and rushes forward with the Ilmaterian....
Kyrel strings his bow before stepping around the corner.
Azler moves around the bend, charging. As the group follows, they can see his problem. A hallway about twenty five feet long stretches, a skeleton at the end, holding a bow. The three 'problems' however, Azler spoke of are in view; three cells, openings in the walls, can be seen, spaced eight feet apart, two on the left side of the passage and one on the right, in the middle. At the top of the doorways are withdrawn portcullises.
The mage can easily see the skeleton, though Azler's charging form is in the way, as is Derleth's. As Derleth runs past the second doorway, though, a yellowish green appendage snaps out at him, missing as he passes. As the cleric moves out of the way, all but Azler can see its source, as it emerges from the cell: A green head, fitted with mandibles. A body like an enormous caterpillar armed with eight, waving tentacles slithers from the hole, after the cleric.
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