Old Ways IC

[Roland St. Jude]

In response to the elf's questioning, one man offers, "we got picked up in the Leaky Bucket, down by the docks, by one of Harg's guys offering solid work landside. Don't know where the man himself is, though."

"Just don't kill us and you can tell them whatever you like," one man practically grunts. Whether the threat is lost on him or whether he remains confident in his rescue is impossible to tell.

Ederick the necromancer and Harg are both unknown to any of the party members, even those native to Threshold.

[Nevaera]

"Alright, alright. I think they've snitched well enough for their lives. Let's get things moving again." She'll untie them from the tree, but keep them otherwise bound as they were before. Almost think he wasn't bluffing that last time...

To the prisoners, "As he said. We'll be making sure you arrive in one piece and we'll remember your cooperation when we speak to the lord."

To her companions, "We have to be sure the mine is safe before these eager fellas can get back to work again. The sooner, the better."

Now that she finally feels a little more settled that there won't likely be a fierce battle waiting for her before the end of the day, her body remembers the sting of the magic missile that hit her earlier. It seemed to go right through her armor and left her aching like a load of bricks just ate her for breakfast.

"There may be raised skeletons, but I don't think we'll have to worry too much about them while we have - our faith." Ash realizes they may have revealed too much information of themselves before the prisoners. They may not be prisoners forever, after all.

Ash will approach Brandon so that she does not have to name him in front of the thugs, "If you're feeling up to it, you may take the lead down there." When looking right at her close up, Bran can see her eyes smile at him warmly.

To Nathros, "And you should have your pick. If you're feeling tired, I understand. You took a lot of hits today."

She'll nod at the rest saying, "Good job everyone. I am honored to fight along side such a valiant group of people."

[Koren n'Rhys]

"Can we be sure the guards and workmen here will be able to guard these two while we're gone again? Maybe we're best off seeing them to Lord Bost before we head back into the cave," offers Mycah, with a glance back at the still-bound captives. "They seemed to be helpful enough once we threatened them, but not before that after all."

Mycah will be willing enough to help clear the cave of the remaining skeletons and be sure it's safe for the workers, but doesn't like the idea of leaving them to potentially cause trouble either.

[Tsunamiatunzen1]

Artanis merely nodded at the information provided to him and left it to the others to decide what to do with the prisoners as he had no idea what to do with the prisoners.

[MeanMrsMustard]

Alanna has been wandering around in an area not too far from the interrogation. She didn't hear anything that went on and is ready to discuss what to do next.

[Matthew]

Nathros says, "Well, if we hamstring them, then we can be sure that they will not be running anywhere."

[Nevaera]

"How 'bout we let the guardsmen and perhaps one of us stay here to guard them? They're still bound, after all. And, it probably won't take too long to finish up in the tunnels. We can escort them back this evening and we'll have hot meals and beds by tonight."

Ash feels that, if she was no so weary, she could take more decisive actions and guide the group better.

[Frivolous]

Brandon Bor


Brandon says, "I'm willing to go down in front if the party proceeds, but shouldn't we rest a bit? So many of us are still wounded."


Brandon ponders the two captives, then quietly says, "They're already tied up, so I don't see any reason to worry about them escaping."

"But if you're really concerned, just make them drink a lot of liquor. Cheaper the better. It's really hard to escape when you're drunk."

Brandon shudders as the memory of his first drunk comes back to him. He had spent what seemed like hours heaving his guts out while his brothers laughed at him.

[Roland St. Jude]

The prisoners give no further resistance as they wait to be taken back to town. The workers remain in or around their tents for the most part, with the few usual brave individuals hanging out closer to the action.

[Nevaera]

ASHALA

Ash will offer her thanks to the men who assisted when her team needed help with the ropes, bodies, and prisoners. She'll ask them one last thing (before they hopefully head back down to finish up by securing the last rooms which are probably empty). "Can we get your help with the ropes this last time? And, will you guys be fine with cleaning up the corpses, or would you prefer to have us haul them up for you before we head back to town tonight with the prisoners?"

To the guardsman, "Could you watch these two for us? One of us can stay behind if you would prefer. We shouldn't take too much longer. Maybe an hour."

To her group, "Would one of you much prefer to stay topside to guard the prisoners instead? Excluding you." She winks at Alanna. "If not, it should be fine if we all go down."

[Koren n'Rhys]

"I should go down with you, Lady Ash. I'm still healthy at least." Mycah will prefer to help mop up in the caves since he still feels like it's his fault they lost the advantage of stealth last time, but will stay behind if he's told to.

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OOC: And with that, I'm probably about done. Busy at work today wrapping things up and then off to Gencon. 12 hour drive through the night and 4 long days in Indy. Should be fun, but exhausting...

[Nevaera]

ASHALA

"Excellent." She smiles, but it's hard to see.

If the ones she asked to help agree, she'll take the rest of her group - with no objections - down into the caves once more. Brandon at the front this time and Ash as rear guard, unless Nathros would prefer that position.

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If Alanna and Nathros prefer, they can both switch places so that Alanna is second this time and Nathros is second last. Whatever you guys like. Otherwise, the marching order should be fine the way it has been.

[Roland St. Jude]

The guardsman agrees to watch the prisoners and the workers are happy to help the heroes once more with their descent. They grab their gear and follow along.

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Here's what I think has been proposed, and what I'll assume unless I hear otherwise.

Brandon
Alanna
Artanis
Mycah
Talsarios
Nathros
Ash

[Tsunamiatunzen1]

Artanis merely stowed his bow away and followed the marching order that had been proposed.

"Why does this feel so familiar? Going into the breach and never coming back into the sun..."

His thoughts flashed to his dream that he had written into his spellbook. He knew not whether the dream had been real or not but he was determined that it would not come to life.

"Whilst the dead still inhabit this cave, justice and good will cry out against this."

[Altair_the_Vexed]

"That went well, I thought," says Talsarios as they descend once more into the depths. "Sorry I lost my temper there, though, chaps! Damned frustrating fellows, those Fangs, eh?"

[Frivolous]

Brandon Bor


Brandon seems pleased to be in front once again. The stocky young farmer turned fighter has hung his bow at his back and is once again holding a shield and sword before himself.

"I still think we should get some rest before we go back down but no one else seems to agree with me, so, Onward, as my mum would say."

[Matthew]

Nathros trudges along, ready for action.

[MeanMrsMustard]

Alanna is rather excited by the relative novelty of being at the front of the group. She plays with her holy symbol, which is still wrapped around her wrist. "All right, so I guess the plan is turn undead first and attack if the turning doesn't work?"

[Nevaera]

ASHALA

Ash nods in agreement with Alanna, "You got it." She smiles to herself, pleased to see everyone cooperating and mostly happy with the arrangement.

She'll have her bow out with an arrow in hand.

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Alertness for signs of disturbance, treasure, enemies, and anything else that might be notable.
DC 13: (1d20)[2]

[Roland St. Jude]

The workers quickly prepare the ropes and the descent into the cavern below can be managed efficiently. Bats still perch above, rustling somewhat as the party approaches.

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This is a good spot for the Caller to say where in this cave structure you'll all go. I don't want to move you, as I might move you into a trap, past treasure, etc.

People who want to suggest to her where you should go can do so IC or OOC. Obviously, anyone who wants to split off from the party or do something different or extra can add their actions after the Caller.

This might be a good time for players to check their map or the past action to see if there's anything they might have missed.

[Nevaera]

ASHALA

Alright, unless anyone protests, Brandon goes down first, followed by Alanna. If there's skeletons or something, they should be a good combo.
Then Artanis, Mycah, Talsarios.
Then Nathros, then Ashala.

Once all are down, Brandon can lead them whichever direction he prefers. He may be wanting to go to that room with the bones to look for treasure, though Ash and some of the others think it's fairly unlikely that anything will be left, since the gang and necromancer were aware of the carrion crawler. They probably would have picked over the people or bodies before tossing them down there for the crawler.

Anyways, Ash would prefer to head pretty much directly back to the room they last battled in, and she'll say so, if there is any indecision. There is the most chance of threat, clues, and treasure there. They should be at their best when they reach that room.

If no one has any objections, it may as well be assumed that the group heads straight there, via the traditional route they've used in the past.
I believe it was:
through the tunnel,
through a bigger room which they fought the carrion crawler in,
up the ledge,
into the guards' room (this body was burned),
through the tunnel (to the right, I think?) where the other crossbowmen ran away after Artanis injured them,
and into the larger room they fought the zombie hobgoblin thoul in.

There, Ash will search for any clues, traps, or treasure - given they aren't attacked before then. She'll stay alert for danger and other things, as stated before.

[Tsunamiatunzen1]

Artanis patiently waited for his time to go down, plotting to trap the necromancer's recruiter afterwards.

He began to remember how his arms mentor had warned him against his zeal for justice. He had left his mentor shortly afterwards to pursue those that dealt in evil doings despite his mentor's laid back words.

I still see no reason why I should not continue. I do see that more patience might be needed as my quarry has escaped me.

[MeanMrsMustard]

As Alanna follows Brandon through the cave system, she constantly looks around, checking for anything lurking in the shadows that might attack. I guess it won't matter whether we see them or not if they're just gonna jump out anyway… she thinks sardonically.

[Roland St. Jude]

Through the cave of bats, left down the tunnel past the dead carrion crawler (lying down a side tunnel to the left), and up the wall to the ledge above. The party finds itself once more in the tunnel approaching the bandits room. The stench of burned human flesh has dissipated some but still fouls the air.

In the room, nothing stirs, and the tunnel to the necromancer's chamber is likewise empty. Little stealth is required to sneak up on the four skeletons, as they stand, seemingly inanimate, in the room. Each still carries a sword.

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Tie for initiative, so go ahead PCs.

[Nevaera]

ASHALA

"Alanna. Maybe try your thing against these guys and see if they're still charged with unholy magic."

[MeanMrsMustard]

Alanna nods as she leans out from behind Brandon. Pulling her mace out and holding it temporarily between her knees, she performs the actions for turning undead yet again.

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Turn Undead: (2d6)[9]

[Frivolous]

Brandon Bor

Brandon sounds curious as he asks, "You don't have to see them to do that?"

His nose wrinkles from the foul stench of roast zombie, but he seems relaxed and otherwise unaffected, knowing the party has nothing to fear from those particular corpses anymore.

[MeanMrsMustard]

Giggling, Alanna tells Brandon, "Well, skeletons are pretty weak…"

[Tsunamiatunzen1]

Artanis drew Solahel and prepped himself to attack any skeleton that happens to resist the turning.

[Altair_the_Vexed]

While Alanna makes the sacred signs, Talsarios rolls his eyes at Ash's ill-educated comment: 'Still charged'? Of course they're still charged! What does she think is holding them up - string?
Why couldn't I have gone travelling to Glantri? Even the mundane folk there understand a little magic.
Lost in his thoughts for a moment, he nonetheless remembers to peek to see how the skeletons react.