The Ancient Paths - Path I

[hippocrachus]

~ The Adventurers ~

After a few minutes of getting used to the poll-propulsion and fighting the current, Dowkan and Hrolf are able to bring the raft close enough to the waterfall for the party to tell there is no way a tribe of kobolds would fit back there. The only way left is downstream, and the current is happy to take the adventurer-laden raft in that direction, slowly pulling the mushroom stalks as soon as Dowkan or Hrolf relax.

 

[Legildur]

"I've seen some big mushies in me time," Dowkan whispers. "But nuttin like dis one we be ridin' in." The dwarf keeps his eyes peeled for anything interesting, a loaded sling sitting on the seat.

 

[kirinke]

Sabriel snorts. "Big mushrooms are probably the least wierd things we're gonna see on this three hour trip," she cracked as an old rhyme about a sea capn and a small fishing ship came to mind.

 

[Majin]

Nae'talis sighs inwardly and looks about the cavern, preferring to stay quiet until a real decision presents itself to be made.

 

[hippocrachus]

~ The Adventurers ~

Dowkan and Hrolf pole the fungus raft downstream until it ends in a large subterranean lake. The water spans well out of Dowkan's or Sabriel's darkvision, but on either side of where the stream meets the lake, a dock of mushroom stalks extends from rocky beaches.
While the cleric and mercenary keeps the boat still, a splash disturbs the water a few feet from the edge of the torchlight. Dowkan could swear he saw a crossbow bolt. Before he has time to voice his claim, a bolt clangs into the shield on his back and another splashes closer to the raft. They seem to be coming from the beach to the right.

 

[Dhes]

Hrolf grabs his shield from his back and crouches down behind it, making himself as small a target as possible. ”Master Nae’talis, Lady Sabriel, take up position behind Dowkan and me.” Peering to far side of the lake trying to determine where the bolts are coming from, the cleric only sees darkness. ”Lady Sabriel, can I have one of you arrows please, I think I know a way to shed some light on our assailant.” Taking the arrow in his only free hand, Hrolf says a quick prayer over the arrow making it light up. Blind father, please shine the light of justice down upon us.
Handing the glowing arrow back to Sabriel, ”Would you please shed some light on our enemies.”
[sblock]casting Light on arrow[/sblock]

 

[kirinke]

Sabriel takes the arrow back and launches it in the direction of the afore mentioned beach.

 

[Legildur]

Dowkan steadies the boat and tries to keep a low profile behind Hrolf - there being no glory in being skewered by a bolt from an unseen enemy whilst poling a mushroom raft on an underground lake. "Maybe you'll get lucky and hit the sly dog firing the bolts," he muses.

 

[kirinke]

"Oi, and maybe pigs can fly without the aid of magic," Sabriel quips back. "I can barely see the bloody shore, much less the snarky arse who blew us a kiss," she said, using the rather unrefined language of the thieves and pick-pockets she had hung out with as a child, mostly in frustration at not being able to see much in the inky dark, not that there was much to see in anycase. She peered out over the water towards the beach, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever it was and when she did, boy o boy, was she going to launch one straight at his...

ooc:
I assume that the beach is somewhat out of range of Sabriel's darkvision when she said it... Seems reasonable anyway.

 

[hippocrachus]

~ The Adventurers ~

When Sabriel scans the beach to the right, she sees what looks like a crude wall made out of boulders. The wall is within her supernatural vision, but details are harder to discern at a distance. Whatever is firing at the party is keeping itself hidden long enough to reload, but Sabriel waits to see a target before firing at what looks like three kobolds.
The bard draws the light-enchanted arrow and shoots it across the inky blankness like an arcing fireball at the battlements. The missile bounces off of the rocks and lands on the ground a few feet away, allowing the two humans to see a portion of the wall.
Three quarrels retaliate from the shadows, two splashing close to the raft and the other sticking with a resounding thunk into the mushroom stalks.

~ Initiative ~

Dowkan - 18
Hrolf - 14
Sabriel - 12
(3) Kobold Archers - 12
Nae'talis - 9

[sblock=OOC]It'll take about two rounds for someone to lever the raft over to the beach and at most, two rounds to cross the beach to the boulders...safely. It's a wet cavern, remember; you'll probably fall if you run.[/sblock]