Session 76: "Down, down I'm feeling low......." or "I've got a load of those bad day Blue's....."

 

 13th day of Fellnight: Swordsday Continued:

                        

                                                  I left you in this position....

Aramil had sensed that something was behind him. Slowly he moved his eyes to the left. Looking down he saw a blue skinned, troll like creature looking at him. The creature slowly sat down and reversed the massive 'stone' great-axe so the blade rested on the floor.

Creature: "Like red"

Aramil now realised the softly spoken creature was a female of its kind. The creatures right hand finger walked towards Aramils robes and with finger and thumb took a hold of the hem.

Creature: "Like red, nice".

By now the others were turning round but thankfully seeing there was no immediate danger to Aramil were prepared to watch the 'drama' unfold.

Aramil: "Hello, do you want to be my friend?"

Creature: "Like friend, red, nice".

The creature, eyes opening wide nodded her head vigorously.  Aramil spoke slowly and pointed to his chest.

Aramil: "My name is A R A M I L".

He then pointed to the creature.

Creature: "Eihcra Enilno". 

She copied Aramil and pointed to her chest.

Aramil: "Have you seen a priestess?".

The creature just looked at Aramil.

Garet and Zindra wanted to push on. Remembering the jolt he got from the door (24 to 25) the last time, he shadow stepped onto the left opening where water poured into the canal some 15ft below.

Aerie flew to the opening on the right. Some few minutes later the double doors were opened by Garet and the group moved into the room they fought Gharl Shatterkeel, a priestess and the Lizard Folk (25).

Eihcra followed Aramil closely. Of the Lizard Folk there was no sign just bloody smears on the floor where their bodies had presumably been dragged into the small side canals. Still under the breath  water spell Grog dove into the water and swam the short distance to the cavern where the books and items were found. It was devoid of life so he returned.

Aramil had a thought. He pointed to the half eaten corpse of the dead priestess and asked Eihcra.

Aramil: "Have you seen anymore of these".

Eihcra pointed to the corpse and smiled. Aramil tried to explain better and managed to get Eihcra to respond by holding up 1 hand after the other with all fingers up. She didn't understand.

Anor: "How many moons have you been here?"

Eihcra again responded by holding up 1 hand after the other with all fingers up. She didn't understand.

Garet: "I don't think she has any concept of time, I wouldn't be surprised if she has never seen the sun or the moon for that matter".

The group decided to retrace their steps and check out the complex to ensure the priestess wasn't somehow behind them. A quick midday meal was eaten (11). Eihcra pulled a bone with meat on it out of a rough, hessian sack at her waste. She sat gnawing on the bone.

Bandur estimated it was mid afternoon, the others amazed how he did that, when they began to head back to the room where the corpse of the priestess was (25). When they arrived Garet stealthily moved off, listening at the west door, into the corridor when he heard nothing and checking doors and rooms as he led the group to the room where the steps down into pure evil lay (28).

The group entered the room and took up position around the open stairs that disappeared from floor level down to who knows where.. 

Without warning a corner of the room was plunged into darkness, Bandur caught in the middle thought he'd gone blind as he tried to see his hand in front of his face, he could see nothing but he could hear the others cry out in alarm. Bandur knew the opening in the floor was in front of him so back pedalled as fast as he could until his back hit a wall. 

Aramil fired off a magical fire bolt into the darkness. As soon as it entered it disappeared from view. What the effect was no-one could see. Aerie cast dispel magic and the darkness winked out and flooded the area with dim light. There in a corner, crouched low, scorch marks on the wall behind was a human sized, winged creature. 

Before they could react a pungent, yellow gas cloud formed around Anor and quickly spread. Those in the deadly area of yellow poisonous gas took damage from it's effect. Just as quickly Garet fired two arrow, followed by Zindra's two. Crossbow bolts were fired by Karion, Bandur and Fabien. All unerringly struck the winged creature. The creature blinked from where it was behind Garet striking him a viscous blow. Garet swung round and hit the creature 3 times, whatever bone structure it had crunching as it snapped. The creature fell to the floor dead. Grog had run around the corner to join in the attack but arrived too late. He thought long and hard, I think this creature is called a Mezzoloth.

Nobody had paid any attention to Eihcra. They turned as she spoke clearly and firmly in an unfamiliar accent.

Eihcra: 

"Do not leave or stray

From a path that is right

Nor fear a clear bubble

That is round and bright"

Three times she repeated the rhyme, then she looked as though she had returned to normal but coud not remember any of what she had said. Aramil looked quizical.

Aramil: "Where did the lady go?"

Eihcra didn't say anything just pointed down the stairs. Garet looked at the others he quickly conveyed his plan. Aerie would follow 120ft behind using her superior dark sight. Bandur would follow 60ft behind her. Garet would advance down the stairs.

Garet proceeded with all the stealth he could muster. He calmed his nerves for the sense of evil was overpowering. Straining his senses he stepped down the stairs. He kept looking back and Aerie kept giving him the thumbs up. After 300ft Garet could see a flat area in front of him. He beckoned the others, through Aerie and Bandur, to close up.

The group quickly exited the stairs and took up positions covering all the exits from this flat 'landing' area (F6). To their right was a pool of water, the water flowed north. there were 2 smaller tunnel exits to the north west and south west. Eihcra pulled Aramils hand and pointed north, along the wider path beside the flowing water. After 130ft, so Bandur reliably told everyone, they arrived at an area with 2 sets of stone hewn stairs. one to the west one to the north. (F8) Both heading down. As the group gathered the overpowering sense of evil was coming from the west. Eihcra kept pulling Aramil north!

Aramil led the way, Eihcra close behind, the group formed a long line and descended, following Aramil. ZIndra brought up the rear, constantly checking they weren't being followed. The path wasn't straight, nor was it a nice, stone lined Dwarven passageway. It reminded Bandur more and more of stories he'd been told about the Underdark and the tunnels that led to Menzoberranzan..............Drow!

Before Bandur could tell the others all noise was drowned out by the roaring sound of water. The passage ahead was strangely lit as light reflected off a watery ceiling. Bandur understood, the passage went under a large waterfall heading west, but flat here. He could see the group disappear one by one as the group descended another set of stairs.

The group stood on the winding stairs. Looking to their right the water cascaded down the rock face into a large pool. Aramil stood at the bottom with Eihcra to his side. 

Grog: "Well,  no boat, at least we still have the ability to breath under water!"

No sooner were the words out of his lips when a large bubble of water arose out of the water at the foot of the stairs.

The bubble of shining water shone in the dim light of the cavern. Eihcra grabbed Aramils hand and touched the bubble with his hand. Immediately Aramil was sucked into the bubble and the bubble of water, hovering 2ft above the surface, floated out of the cavern to the north east.

                             

As soon as it was out of sight another bubble formed, Eihcra touched this bubble and the group watched as the same thing happened to her that had happened to Aramil. Zindra threw caution to the wind and launched herself at a bubble. She was surprised as her passage through the air stopped as soon as she touched the bubble, sucked inside she followed Eihcra and Aramil. One by one the others did the same

                                 

, lastly Anor, realising he was alone touched a bubble and he floated off after the others.