Wrath of the Righteous - Worldwound Incursion

[Kallimakus]

With both roaches still standing, Aravashinal starts to chant in a clear voice, casting a spell. It will take effect after the roach's turn.
Horgus, seeing that both roaches still stand calls out for the others to defend him. He doesn't even have a weapon.
Anevia calls for a clear shot, dropping her crutch in favor of a bow. An arrow spent here may save a healing potion later. She aims for the injured roach.
Lyn takes the chance to apply an anhancement on the bow, sagging a little with effort there.

Shortbow (1d20+2)[18] with the penalty for shooting through allies. She can't move nearly fast enough to get a clear shot)
(1d6+1)[5] It's enough to put down the injured roach.
Yuln's character sheet is blank as of the time of writing, but I'll eyeball his attack to be around +5 (for the sake of argument, +4Str, +1BAB)?
He attacks the roach that hit him (the uninjured one), with fair chance of hitting it.
(1d20+5)[13] His attack misses
(1d8+6)[7] Guessed two-handed weapon damage?

The roaches continue their attack. It seems that the concept of retreat doesn't exist in their tiny insect minds. The roaches will attempt to attack the last creature to damage them (Damon, I think?). The other attacks Yuln if it survives
Roach against Yuln (if alive)
(1d20+1)[18] Looks to hit
(1d4)[3]
Roach against Damon (if alive)
(1d20+1)[3]
(1d4)[2]

The surviving cockroach keeps swarming over Yuln, overwhelming his defences.

After this, Aravashinal's summon comes online with a final word and gesture, a giant white rat, a creature appropriate for the terrain,
and the wizard orders it to attack the nearest roach and defend his allies from the vermin. It charges the surviving cockroach, biting it viciously, letting you hear the chitin crunching between its jaws.
Bite (1d20+4)[19]
Damage (1d4)[3]

Spoiler: NPC's in the coming round (if any)

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Besides that, Aravashinal prepares to cast Mage Armor should he be damaged
Horgus hides at the back of the group, hoping that you will prevail
Anevia will attack again if she needs to
Lyn can enhance Kaltan's weapon next round (based on her disposition. Since he was the only one to just accept her)

[Woodsman]

Kaltan moves to slash at the remaining roach, putting himself between it and the more vulnerable members of the group.

Attack: (1d20+4)[17]
Damage: (1d8+3)[11]

[Pancakes]

Arlena volunteers to climb first, thanking Kaltan for his help. She brings along the piece of rope, hoping it will help make everyone else's climb easier.

"Does anyone know anything about this tunnels? The path seems to be leading up, so hopefully we're on the right track to making it back aboveground. Anyone have a preference for which path we should take?". As she says this, Arlena does her best to see as far a she can in each direction.

[HappyMerecat]

Kogger

Kogger looks around himself. "I have no real idea where we are, other than down, nor do I have any idea where to go, other than up."

[Kallimakus]

"We should go up" Lyn says, a bit too fast for it to be well thought out.
Horgus agrees with this sentiment wholeheartedly. Up is where 'Out of here' is.
Aravashinal relates that the area below Kenabres is riddled with interconnected sewers, vaults, carves and the upper reaches of Darklands. He can't tell you how deep you fell, but up seems like the way to go.
Anevia would like to avoid excess walking, which in this case means investigating every branch.

[Woodsman]

"It would seem we all agree that up is the direction of choice," Kaltan says after pulling himself up and over the ledge. "I don't think we should waste any time on our way upwards. We don't have much to last us."

[ZinZenWho]

Damon heads tword the most upward bath. Wary if any more bugs or "other" things in the room.

[Kallimakus]

You press on as a group. There are piles of rubble here and there, evidence of the tremors above from the attack on Kenabres. Coiled in the middle is a calm, pale and injured serpent, perhaps five to ten feet long (medium), which hisses at you in warning as you approach. It makes no move to attack, but it is going to be hard to move past it without provocation. Equally, with the injuries it has suffered it likely won't be able to challenge you if you choose to attack it.

(Since this information has been up for over a week, I'm going to say that you had ample choice to do something about it)

Aravashinal instructs that the snake should be killed that you may move on safely. And so it happens. Beyond that small chamber, a winding passage carries on forward and upward. The injured Anevia and blind Aravashinal move at snail's pace, but both forge on with determination. Horgus remains near them with the torch, while Lyn holds the rear, remaining at the far reaches of torchlight. From what you can tell, she's growing restless and tense.

After perhaps half an hour, the tunnel levels out and branches once more. Due North, there is a small chamber and an opening that looks man-made. From beyond, you think you see the gleam of light. To the South, the tunnel continues onward to the darkness.

Spoiler: DC 20 knowledge: Dungeoneering

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Tells you that you are still at least 50 feet below the surface.

Horgus and Lyn think that you should go towards the light. It could be an opening to the surface!
Aravashinal is less optimistic, recalling that even the dark-dependant creatures prefer the warmth of a fire. So it could be dangerous. Then again, it might not. Anevia is ambivalent. It is too even and not nearly red enough to be firelight, a fact she relays to Aravashinal too. The elf looks puzzled, uncertain of the course.
Horgus argues that, since he carries the torch (not being good for much else), he gets to decide, and that you will go towards the light. Aravashinal, taking on a leadership role, declares that you will go towards the light.

Since this is a either-or choice (probably), I won't tell what is found in either direction.

[HappyMerecat]

Kogger

Kogger agrees with heading tot he light. "At least the light is something. It could be a way out, fire or a light spell, but it it something and the other way is just a door. It could have been there for years."

Kogger begins to move towards the light slowly.

Spoiler: Crunch

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Taking 10 on stealth for 11.

[Woodsman]

Kaltan pauses, thinking it over. "I'm not sure moving towards the light is the best idea," Kaltan says quietly to Kogger. "It could be a trap. But, if the majority of the group decides to go that way, I won't argue further."

[Kallimakus]

Well, the NPC cavalcade is in support of checking out the light in hopes of finding a way out.
The journey does not take long. Almost immediately past the opening there is a sharp turn, and the source of the light becomes known to you. A building standing in an around 30-ft tall cave. The light itself seems to emanate from the structure itself, and is of a greenish hue. The building looks sturdy, well-made and approximately 20 feet tall, built of carved stone blocks. A large carving of a hammer features prominently on the front facing towards you. ruins of other structures lie nearby. The chamber is a hundred feet across and 30 feet tall, and the intact structure fills well over half of it.

Spoiler: Religion (no need to roll, if you have ranks or a positive Int modifier you will know)

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That the hammer is a holy symbol of Torag, a Lawful Good dwarven deity that has found his way to the common pantheon.

There is a creature in the chamber, currently oblivious to the presence of Kogger. It is a giant fly, fat and hairy, crawling aimlessly across the building, occasionally buzzing its way at the caver roof before landing again. The other NPC's are poised to follow as soon as you give all-clear or call for their aid. No opening to the surface is evident however.

Spoiler: NPC reactions

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Disappointment is evident for everyone.
Anevia argues that she could use a break, as could probably some others. And a shrine to a good deity might represent a point of safety.
Aravashinal is suspicious, but it is a fair point. You don't know if you are hours or weeks from the surface. Besides, it might have some magical relics. Torag is a god of protection and creation. There is, he feels, a good chance that you might find something useful
Horgus feels that you shouldn't waste any time on a 'distraction'.
Lyn asks about the size of the cavern ahead, and declares that she is in favour of a break, the sooner the better. She looks haggard at this point.

[ZinZenWho]

Looking back at the not so well off, "A break could do them some good." Inclining his head in there direction.

[Kallimakus]

Clarification and reminder: The direction of rest has the giant fly in it. However, seeing as you agree with them, the NPC's prepare as well. Aravashinal is not inclined to waste a spell on a paltry opponent like a fly. He trusts you can handle it. Anevia needs to limp to a place where she can get a shot off. Lyn calls another 'armament', a spear this time, holding it awkwardly in one hand and waiting for the sign to go. She expresses that she prefers you started ten seconds ago between laboured breaths after the casting, to which Aravashinal sneers a bit smugly. Horgus, still unarmed, will do nothing but hold the light (unnecessary, for the cavern ahead is well lit.

You go first in combat here. In any order you wish.

Spoiler: NPC actions

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Anevia moves into position, drops her crutch and readies a bow.
Lyn casts her little spell, then concentrates on it.
Aravashinal and Horgus do nothing

[ZinZenWho]

Damon waist no time, poking he's head from behind a rock and casting Magic Missile.
Damage, no to hit roll.
(1d4+1)[3]

[Pancakes]

Following Damon's magic missile, Arlena quickly prepares and lobs another one of her bombs, this time directly at the enemy.

Spoiler: Rolls

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Attack: (1d20+3)[20]
Damage: (1d6+5)[8] fire, reflex DC 15 for half.

[Woodsman]

Kaltan steps forward to interpose himself between the fly and the rest of the group, standing ready to defend them should it approach.

Spoiler: OOC

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Readying an action to attack the fly as soon as it moves into range, basically

[Kallimakus]

Spoiler: OOC

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I'll move things along. having waited a few days in case our two infrequent posters might make an appearance. I'll still keep a two-day waiting period, or if I hear from both that they have dropped out, I'll move things along as soon as all players have posted (and are not in the middle of something)

The fly is struck by the magic missile, taking wing only to be hit again by Arlena's volatile bomb. It manages to right itself, the drone of its wings taking on a more angry tone as it charges towards you. Alas, its charge is stopped short by Kaltan's longsword, which cuts a gash to the side of the fly, and causes it to drop to the ground, still sliding a few feet before coming to a halt a bit behind Kaltan. The immediate threat having passed, Lyn bursts out from behind you, getting to the chamber itself.

"Is the threat dealt with?" Aravashinal asks after the buzzing dies down, trying to appraise the situation with the senses left to him.
"Yes" Anevia replies, putting away her bow and picking up her crutch with a strangled whine of pain before hobbling towards the shrine that you have found.
Lyn nearly bowls the two over, rushing to the more open cavern ahead. Once she gets there, you can see her perk up almost immediately, a stark contrast to how she was in the tunnels.
Horgus moves to the cavern once he is satisfied that it is clear.

The shrine itself is about 40 feet across, with a small protruding antechamber towards the entrance of the cavern. Quick circuit reveals that there are no windows, and only a single door.
"A fine defensible location!" Aravashinal declares, a weary smile on his face
"A fine tomb to be trapped in, more like" Horgus mutters, loud enough to be sure the elf hears him.

Spoiler: Entering the shrine

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Anevia makes beeline at her impressive speed of 15ft towards the sole entrance visible to you (and indeed the only entrance) and opens the doors. She will stop if asked, but won't wait for you to do a proper search of the cavern and shrine exterior.

The entrance leads to an antechamber. Around 20 feet long, there is a closed door to the shrine proper to the left, and rows of stone benches to the right. Straight ahead, sitting upon a stone pedestal is a basin filled with water. The radiance without does not reach within, leaving the place lit solely by your torch, as well as an extremely faint luminescence of the water in the basin. Everything but the pedestal is covered by the dust of ages.

Anevia finds herself overwhelmed as soon as she enters, taking a seat on the stone bench. After a bit too long a delay, she says that her leg is bothering her, but a little rest in the shrine should fix her right up.
Horgus, already annoyed by the delay caused by this detour, is unable to contain himself any longer. He resorts once more to muttering to himself, this time about perhaps letting Anevia rest here and find her way after you. From his tone and manner, it seems clear she doesn't care whether the woman would make it or not.
"Excuse me?" she asks, animate once more. "Perhaps this place makes you uncomfortable confronting your own faith?" Anevia suggests, a bit venomously.
Taken aback, but far from silenced, Horgus shoots back, "What does a thief know of keeping faith?"
Aravashinal attempts to intervene, saying "Anevia has my full trust, master Gwerm"
Alas, this only fuels the argument, and invites another one to join in.
"So being a thief is fine, but try reading a book..." Lyn says from beyond the entrance.
"That was different and you know it!" Aravashinal shouts at the young woman, letting Anevia and Horgus get back to their bickering.

Despite the clamour, nothing stirs in the shrine.

The water in the basin glows faintly, only barely illuminating the basin that holds it. Such property indicates that it is holy water. Enough to fill two containers. (Lyn has one empty potion vial suited for this (not the one she took from the pack))

Spoiler: Arguments

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Things between the various NPCs grow heated, and none among them have the presence of mind to drop their own argument or to remain quiet. This is another time to brush up those social skills.
Diplomacy: Simply conversing and attempting to diffuse the situation would be done using diplomacy. Particularly clever ways will grant circumstance bonuses (to be added afterwards by me)
Intimidate: Telling everyone to be quiet and drop their grievances will likely fall under intimidate, if only due to the tone and manner that has to be adopted to get them to stop and listen.

Of these, Intimidate is easier, but might lead to issues later on. Diplomacy has better potential results, but failure means that attitudes remain offended, though not necessarily towards the PC's.
That is to say, Diplomacy failing will have worse consequences than intimidate succeeding.
To save us a round of posting, I rolled Sense Motive checks for each character, as detailed below. Now, I will say that the rolls were 16, 24 and 10, but not in that order, so some information might be unreliable.

Spoiler: Kaltan

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You feel that none present will take too kindly to digging to their respective pasts.

Spoiler: Arlena

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You feel that this is simply tempers boiling, nothing more.

Spoiler: Damon

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You feel that there is a deeper enmity between Anevia and Horgus, boiling to surface.

Spoiler: Next room

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The doors on the left-side wall are inscribed with a silver hammer of Torag. They open to the nave of the chapel. A dull glow, like the one in the cavern, emanates from a dusty altar placed prominently against the far wall. There is something wrong with it, however. Rows of stone benches, as though waiting for worshippers that never came, are covered in dust. A single, solitary figure seems to be seated near the altar, as dust-covered as everything else here in this forgotten shrine. Its head is bowed, as though still in worship.

[ZinZenWho]

"To my reckoning, you have the least room to talk Horgus, everyone here is contributing. All you've done is complain and hold a torch." Damon states bluntly. "So if anyone is going to be left behind to find there own way, it will be you. Even Lyn has contributed."

Spoiler: OOC

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Damon states this bluntly and loudly enough to be heard by everyone. He has no intention of being diplomatic, or intimidating beyond his natural intimidation factor of being nearly 7' tall and capable of magic. This is merely a statement of fact for him.

[Woodsman]

Kaltan grimaces and wipes his blade clean on the stone floor of the cavern before entering the shrine. He takes a moment to close his eyes and offer a brief prayer to Torag, thanking him for the shelter.

As tensions flare up once more he pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration, letting out a quiet yet aggravated sigh. He takes in a breath to collect his thoughts, and feels a moment of empathy for Alistair. Was this what Kaltan had been like when they first met? Kaltan had to admit it was more than likely.

"We're not leaving anyone behind," he says, raising his voice slightly and opening his eyes. "No matter their injury or their adeptness at combat. To do so would be wrong."

He looks between those bickering. "I won't pretend to understand all that's transpired between you. Nor will I press that matter right now. What I do understand is this: right now, there's a city that needs our help," he says as he points a finger towards the ceiling, "and as Crusaders, we all have a part to play in helping. Maybe that means killing demons. Maybr that means funds to fuel war effort. Either way, bickering about past grievances won't help us get back to the surface further. This is not me saying that whatever problems have arisen aren't cause for concern-- merely that there is a much, MUCH larger problem to focus on at the moment. When we've gotten back to the surface and done what we can to help Kenabres, then we can sort all this out. Is that a fair deal?" he asks, looking around once more and awaiting the response, hoping he'd been able to channel his mentor.

Spoiler: OOC

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Diplomacy roll:(1d20+6)[10]

[Pancakes]

"Please, I know we're all stressed out from our current situation, and from... What's happening up above. But fighting amongst ourselves is not going to help anyone. We all want to get back aboveground, and I'm sure you all know that the easiest way is to work together."

Arlena looks around the room and lets out a heavy sigh.

"We're all tired. Maybe we should take this chance to rest and cool off our heads before heading out again? We'd better make sure there are no more of those giant flies lurking around first"

[HappyMerecat]

Kogger

Kogger nods in agreement with Arlena and Kaltan. "We all need to work together. I agree we should take a rest and all think about what is happening." He looks at Horgus.
"Demons have attacked the city and done ... who knows what. We need to do more than bicker."

With that he sits, his back against the wall.

[ZinZenWho]

Damon aproches the door to the other part of the "temple" for lack of a better term. "Now that we've "agreed" to keep our opinions to ourselves, I need one of you to follow me. Preferably someone who can see in the dark."

[Kallimakus]

"I... I can see in the dark" Lyn says, in answer to the prompt.
The others take the opportunity to rest, sitting or lying on the benches.

The doors on the left-side wall are inscribed with a silver hammer of Torag. They open to the nave of the chapel. A dull glow, like the one in the cavern, emanates from a dusty altar placed prominently against the far wall. There is something wrong with it, however. The glow feels... sick, for a better term. Exposed to it, any illusion of divine presence in the temple is shattered. It feels forsaken. Rows of stone benches, as though waiting for worshippers that never came, are covered in dust. A single, solitary figure seems to be seated near the altar, as dust-covered as everything else here in this forgotten shrine. Its head is bowed, as though still in worship. The fact that it did not react to all the noise, as well as the layer of dust piled on it suggest that whoever it was, they died long ago.

[ZinZenWho]

As we move closer to the glowing alter Damon take the time to look in between all the the pews, to see if there is anything, or one else in there besides the lone "corpse". He instructs Lyn to go down the far wall, while he goes up the middle if possible [assuming there is 2 rows of pews, sepereated by a walkway]. If not then Lyn goes down one side and Damon the other.

[Kallimakus]

Your assessment of the interior layout is correct. The space is around 40ft by 40ft, with the altar prominent on the far side. As mentioned, the altar sheds some light, enough to get by even without darkvision (though hampered by the dim conditions (dim light).

Lyn calls forth her spear again and moves down the far wall while Damon goes down the middle. Nothing seems to be hidden amongst the pews, and while you see what might be dust-covered ritual implements by the altar itself, there is little else to note beside the body. Coming closer, you can tell from the size and shape that it used to be a dwarf, probably centuries ago.

[ZinZenWho]

I move closer to inspect the dwarf corpse. I leave Lyn to her one judgement on what she should be doing.

[Kallimakus]

The corpse sits there calmly. Next to it, there is a finely crafted mace lying on the floor, as dust-covered as everything else. From the nature of his garb, you can guess he was the priest of some kind. Based on the shrine he inhabits, it isn't hard to decide what deity he was dedicated to.

It is only when you approach to touching distance and the passage of life so close reveals its true nature. Red lights appear in the empty sockets as the corpse reaches for you with a shrivelled, claw-like hand and a blood-curdling shriek.

Spoiler: Combat

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The undead gets a surprise round. Then the PC's go, then it again. Characters with Darkvision (Anevia) can have been in the room too. The others would be waiting for all-clear past the door.
The distance from the monster to the door is around 30 feet, although there isn't a straight line to it due to the pews.
Monster Attacks (1d20+4)[21]
Monster damage (1d4+1)[4]. If it hits, you need to make a fortitude save.
PC turn
Lyn attacks (1d20+5)[23]
Lyn's damage (1d10+4)[5]

The monster hits, fairly well at that.
Lyn casts her polearm, shouting a spell as she does so, a burst of wind propelling the weapon far faster than her feeble throw would have. It strikes the creature, piercing the clothes and sinking to the withered flesh beneath, but this does nothing other than divert the creature's attention elsewhere. Lyn makes a turning motion with her hand, pulling the blade loose and leaving it dancing in a column of wind by the undead creature.

[ZinZenWho]

My suspicions confirmed, and in response to being attacked, I cast Windy Escape (lv1, 1 immediate action, You respond to an attack by briefly becoming vaporous and insubstantial, allowing the attack to pass harmlessly through you. You gain DR 10/magic against this attack and are immune to any poison, sneak attacks, or critical hit effect from that attack.)

[Woodsman]

Kaltan rushes into the shrine itself, sword drawn. "What in the Nine Hells?" he cries out as he sees the being swiping at Damon. He rushes forward, slashing at the creature.

Spoiler: OOC

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If I can move in to attack, I will do so.
Attack: (1d20+4)[10]
Damage: (1d8+3)[9]

[Pancakes]

At the signs of combat, Arlena rushes into the room behind Kaltan. She hastily prepares another bomb and tries to hit the moving corpse with its explosion, careful not to catch Damon in the blast.

Spoiler: OOC

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Aiming at an intersection that doesn't hit Damon with splash damage.

Attack: (1d20+3)[7]
Damage: 6 fire, reflex DC 15 for half