Aywin threw a stone through the archway into the Strange Object on the banks of the underground lake. The stone clattered on the worked slabs of its floor, and did nothing, though Aywin was certain that he'd seen a pattern emerge in the series of the runes that were carved on the inside. They softly glowed for a moment each before making a single soft thump noise and was still. He wasn't certain if he could recall the exact pattern.
OOC:
@Steve Gorak. My wife made an INT check for you. The pattern slips your mind.
Aywin threw a stone through the archway into the Strange Object on the banks of the underground lake. The stone clattered on the worked slabs of its floor, and did nothing, though Aywin was certain that he'd seen a pattern emerge in the series of the runes that were carved on the inside. They softly glowed for a moment each before making a single soft thump noise and was still. He wasn't certain if he could recall the exact pattern.
OOC:
@Steve Gorak. My wife made an INT check for you. The pattern slips your mind.
Svetlana doesn't help with recalling the runes: Int check +0: 4
Turning towards his companions, Aywin tells them: "There are runes that glowed, clearly magical. Maybe one of you knows what they do? Come take a look!"
As the kayaks were hauled ashore and propped into a defensive barricade, Shade-9 passed the Lightbringer over to Darius and Loklafd as it was they who most needed its light, apprising them of the activation word "Illuminate".
His attention though was still upon the surface of the water, optics adjusting in an attempt to see what was happening beneath. Bjorn was also still submerged, and it was evident that the whatever had entered the water prior had dived deeper too. Shade-9 considered entering the lake himself, the warforged did not require respiration even though amphibious motion would restrict full mobility. Aywin and the others were capable of exploring the strange construction without him.
For now though he watched the ripples on the water, his stance low and predatory, ready to pounce as soon as anything breached the surface or he detected motion beneath.
OOC:
ready action for anything that breaches the surface - will grab the lizardfolk if its in reach, or dive in if Bjorn appears to be in distress
Bjorn watched as the scrawny lizardfolk struggled to get free of the growing number of crazed predatory fish that had appeared from here and there around the lake. It was a strange behavior for the fish, and it was obvious that the lizardfolk had not expected to be in so much danger below water. He swam for the surface to escape.
When the lizardfolk came to the surface, Shade-9, who had stood still as a statue for a moment while scanning the water, suddenly lunged into the shallows. There was a very quick drop-off into deep water, and Shade-9 managed to stay just on the shallow side, as he reached in and grabbed the lizardfolk by his shoulder and lifted him out of the water, sputtering and shaking.
Aaaiieee!" hissed the lizardfolk, "Guldred not fight! Don't kill Guldred!"
Note: The fish are not attacking. (Not yet at least)
"You are not currently under threat." Shade-9 advised as he stepped back from the water with the struggling lizardfolk held firmly in hand as he scanned over its scrawny form.
[MISSION PROTOCOL: Containment and Interrogation- Restrain Subject.Assess Subject Risk and Status. Determine Context. Assess Disposition and Utility. Query and Response Evaluation]
[DATA LOG #SUBJECT:Guldren, Species: Lizardfolk, smaller than species average, not currently hostile. Language: Compatible]
"remain still" the warforged stated flatly as he eased the captured reptilian down onto the muddy bank, allowing it to stand, but still gripping an arm to prevent escape "are you hurt in anyway? - [Assess Subject Status]
[Subject:Guldren] -Why are you in this cavern? Are you alone?" - [Determine Context]
Shade-9 presented the question and then waited silently for response, logging the process of interrogation and scanning the lizardfolk for emotional tells or threatening gestures. It was unfamiliar territory for the warforged sentinel but a good test of his heuristic capacity...
Bjorn burst from the mud, hoping the sudden cloud of silt would both startle and blind the swarming fish. He swam quickly to the shore where he saw Shade-9 and the lizardfolk.
The oxen were able to navigate the low-rise, wide-stepped stairs, and the cultists helped to get the wagon wheels into the staircase's grooves. With the chain used to keep the wagon from running into the oxen's rears, the wagon was driven downstairs into a large room, where two mercenaries joined to help navigate it around a table occupied by four cultists, who, like Copper's "friend" had said, were playing Three-Dragon-Ante. The cultists were in the middle of a game, and they were annoyed by the interruption, but not in any particularly hostile way: They moved the table, the wagon went past, and they moved the table back, while grumbling.
Once past them, the wagon was moved toward an iron portcullis that separated this room from the next. The first room, aside from the card table, held four large cast-iron prison cages. Tables at the south end held implements of torture, and the south wall had sets of manacles hanging from bolts. All were empty, except for the cage in the furthest north corner, which held a scar-faced drow, who sat on a stool, eyeing them with keen disdain.
A veteran mercenary cranked open the portcullis, while complaining about them being late and short-handed. He asked after a few people by name, but accepted the idea that they were dead. If any of the cultists were likely to see through Lorent's disguise as the driver, they missed their chance, being more interested in their game. The old mercenary, who seemed to be in charge of the stores, either didn't know him, or didn't care.
The Wagon was brought through the portcullis, which was left open, and the cultists went back to their game. Copper's 'friend' complained that they were playing without him, but he needed to return to the gatehouse. The wagon was stopped in the large storeroom, where a mercenary unhitched the oxen and brought them to the corner of the room over a grate, which had water flowing under it (for ease of cleanup).
For the moment, they were left to their own devices, with the apparent expectation that they would either unload the wagons themselves, or find someone else to order to do it. Only one mercenary remained in the room with them, and he was busy with the oxen.
Team Caves
The kobold Chief, Urbone the Magnificent, reached through the flap of his hut and beckoned, barking in a slightly more refined version of Draconic, "You may approach!"
The guards opened the gate of the low palisade, dragging the bone-and-rope barrier aside. They moved to the flap, and pulled it open. The original kobold guide said, "You go in, now!"
Merrick signals to everyone that it is safe to go in and speak with their chief. He sends one last message to Torhak if he can get one off subtly while he's translating the update to the rest of the group.
Then the big warrior, leads the way into the tent.
