The Banewarrens

[Hammerhead]

Malikar stares at Kalerecent icily for a few moments, then smiles. Well met. I am Malikar diTandaer. How long ago did you have this fight? We encountered no one but their rear guard entering this house and these tunnels, so it is likely they are still in the area. Now, however, I propose we track down this Lamia and finish her off. Then, we try and find the others, before they can regroup. Which way is this enemy?

Although Malikar's talents lay with blades and ancestral power, he had skill in tracking as well, taught to him by his dwarven mentor Hendel. He kneels down in the direction Kalerecent indicates, searching for tracks or signs of the monstrosity.

 

[Krug]

Krug lowers his crossbow and nods his head. "What else have you learnt about this place? What was the device we saw earlier?"

 

[perivas]

"Kalerecent, if you don't mind our asking, how was the door opened? We intend to pursue the evil hag and bring her to justice before she can gain access to the device of evil."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Fallon looks for any signs that this might not be the Paladin. He will be using sense motive to see if the human is lieing to them. When he feels that this is the paladin he will offer to heal some of his wounds.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Fallon senses that the man is who he claims to be, and that he answers the party's questions to the best of his ability. The paladin gratefully accepts the healing (2 charges of the dorje).

"I am not sure how long I have been down here in the darkness, but surely days have passed. I slept twice, restlessly, waiting for my strength to return. I suspected the remaining monsters might be waiting in the tunnel leading to the surface, and I had no desire to face them at less than full strength."

"As for the device in the other room, I am as mystified as you. Something grand from another age, I suspect."

"The hag cast a spell from a scroll to open the door. I do not know what it was, but we could feel the arcane power from across the room. As far as I can tell, the monsters remaining on this side did not have another spell of its like."

The lamia's tracks lead south from the goblin corpses, to the southeast door in the large chamber. Glancing again at the goblins, Malikar notices they have bone rings on their fingers, similar to the ones worn by the orc in the manor above.

 

[perivas]

"We have been charged with your safe return. Seeing your weakened state and the impasse in the form of a magical door, I suggest we return to the surface to obtain a method of unlocking this door. Any other thoughts on the matter on hand?"

 

[Keia]

"That sounds reasonable to me, Morden," Titus says, "It might also give us an opportunity to acquire a scroll to restore some of that life force of yours."

"We can return directly after to follow the pursuit of these creatures."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

"Good Goddess! Your all making sense! Will the wonders never cease?" Fallon laughs out. He has seemd ready to bolt since the Orc.

 

[Hammerhead]

Malikar rises from his kneeling position and stops examining the tracks.

Kalerecent, as a paladin, you understand honor and duty. I understand it as well. There is a conspiracy involving some evil forces at work. Remember that note we found? I think the green hag used a Wish from a ring to open that door. Neither Green hags nor lamias have the means to possess such magic. Something sinister is at work here, mark my words.

And we have an opportunity to put a stop to it and find more information. Kalerecent, your friend gave his life to stop these creatures. Will you let him die in vain? Will you let the remainder of these creatures get away? We should first track down the lamia, kill her, and then find the others and defeat them. Are we heroes if we retreat in the face of evil and danger?

Having made his argument, Malikar draws a sword and begins shaving with the edge.

 

[GruTheWanderer]

Kalerecent responds, "While I would like to prevent these foes from doing further damage, I would not gamble with the life of others. And it appears that most of you would choose to retreat at this time."

"If something sinister is at hand, the church of Lothian must be informed of this threat. Let us make our way out of this strange place, seek council and healing, then return to press the attack."