D&D 5E The Kalarian Precipice - Chapter Four

[daindarkspring]

Dain - In the crevice

A false floor?! Dain took a step backwards, perhaps thinking the floor beneath his feet was an illusion too. But no. It was real enough!

Such sorcery...

As the others investigated the illusion and pondered its source and meaning, Dain was looking beyond it, into the shadows. They were as noisy as a herd of hungry goats on bare rock, bleating and tapping their hooves. He tried to focus.

There were footsteps. Yes. In the darkness. The shadows called to him in a way, and he considered dropping into them. Into their embrace. But he did not. Not yet.

His sword was already drawn, but now he adjusted his grip, the blade slowly dropping into a rear guard position, like a snake drawing back for a strike.

Metea was trying to speak to whatever was there. And who knew...maybe it would work?

 

[97mg]

In the Crevice

As the priest’s lit pebble skips up the dark passage, it spreads Suru's illumination upon a small woman as she confidently steps out into view. At fourish feet in height, you find yourself in the unsuspected company of yet another demi-human.

Dark and well-scratched leather armor encloses her, above which a translucent and fine shawl of black rests upon her shoulders. You might be stunned at the paleness of her flesh, a stark contrast to long and tangled pitch black hair. She stares at you with piercing wide eyes, almost completely white in color.

A finger is raised and points at you all.

“Uh uh, stay right there. No steps. And this? No thank you,” she says in common.

A boot firmly kicks Carthum’s magical light back in your direction.

“Smart ones you are. Too smart.”

Her hand remains raised, as though she dare not let it rest… yet. The illusionary hole fades then, revealing a typical stone floor before you.

Quietly in the background, Annit's dagger is unsheathed and she takes a step back.

<Any hostile actions or movement towards the being we will all move to initiative.>

 

[Jeovanna]

Jeovanna: In the crevice

If anything, Jeovanna's grip tightened on her blade when the woman came into view.

There were too many foul things down in these mines. Would an illusory floor have kept back demonic beings that could teleport? Or was she in league with them?

Was she the necromancer?

But the woman talked to them, so they could not simply attack her, as eerie as she seemed. Some of Jeovanna's own companions were strange in appearance as well. "Who are you?" Jeovanna asked. Well, demanded. But she at least didn't manage to sound completely terse.

 

[Otiroth]

Otiroth: In the crevice

Otiroth didn't have the greatest of views from partially around the corner, but he could see and hear enough. Metea's attempt had at least gotten the woman to talk instead of attack, and now both sides could observe the other. Were there a peaceful solution, well... it seemed something to strive for!

The sorcerer observed the woman as he spoke up, perhaps seeking to glean a little something from her movements?

"Madam, we are travelers from Kalair, seeking answers to questions we have yet to know. If we've intruded on your territory here, we do apologize, but these mines are harrowing and expansive. Perhaps there is enough here for all."

 

[Metea]

Metea: In the crevice

Well, peaceful seemed possible, but both sides did have their weapons out. Literally and figuratively, as a spell casters hands were often the focus for their powers.

Metea wondered if the woman, lurking in a forbidden mine, was up for some Dolstian sharing of resources as Otiroth suggested? It seemed unlikely, but then, being confronted in the dark by a band of armed strangers tended to make any kind of diplomacy unpredictable. She certainly wasn't happy with them!

"That was a really impressive spell. With the floor, I mean," Metea spoke up again, as buttering up mages was something she so far had some experience in, "we just got lucky, is all. Like my friend here said, the mines have been harrowing. It is refreshing to meet someone skilled in the craft."

 

[Carthum One-Tusk]

Carthum One-Tusk: In the crevice

Carthum put one boot on the glowing stone to keep it from hitting the wall behind them- just to stop it, but otherwise would leave it fully illuminating the party. They had nothing to fear from the light, after all.

There were many ways to see in the dark, and many ways to see without seeing.

"Undead and demons roam the halls above," Carthum said. "Such defenses are wise."

Of course, deliberately summoning and creating such beings was far less so!

 

[daindarkspring]

Dain - the crevice

Dain's eyes widened at the sight of the woman and his sword jerked but stayed still.

Essithea...she resembles you, like some carven miniature in a wooden shrine.

He let the others do the talking. His boot slid forward slightly, the blade of his dark sword twisting ever so slightly in his grip.

 

[97mg]

The Crevice

"Help save Marix?" she whispers to herself, as if Metea's bold inquiry has set her mind upon some distant memory, before the little woman speaks further, eyes and stance unflinching.

“It has been a long passing of time since someone stumbled into this realm, and then requested of who I am. You are different though aren't you? My name is Sela,” she offers, maintaining her distance. “But respect, politeness and flattery have been a longer time still.” The lady of the dark smiles then, “you have not been here long, have you?”

The pointed finger drops and her hand moves to rest at her side. “I be a servant of Immel.”

Sela cocks her head at Otiroth now, considering the young man's apologies.

“Answers? There are many of both questions raised and reasons, that can come to light in earth's darkness. Like perhaps Kalair, from where you say you are from, down here are many kinds. Some born to this land encased in stone, others the remnants of visitors corrupted.” It sounds very much as though a warning...

“Let it be known to you, that below, Immel is the protector of where water meets stone, and respect she will demand. Perhaps from her you can find both your answers and questions, but I alone can not, will not, take you there. You may however, find your own path.”

She turns to point into the darkness from where she came. “The path of flame.”

Then she gestures at the intersection to your left. “The path of bones.”

Looking to the Tiefling, Sela curiously adds, “luck you will certainly need, as much as they will need the words of your ancestors. Please, do tell me who you are, so that Immel may greet you as you deserve, in the unlikely event that your path does not get the better of you?”

<Feel free to make an Insight check to read a little more into this woman's communication, or a History check to see if this woman's race or background might have been very briefly covered in some earlier learnings.>

 

[Jeovanna]

Jeovanna: The Crevice

Jeovanna's lip curled ever so slightly, but as Sela lowers her hand, she'd at least relax her stance. Not put away her sword, certainly; it was too soon to do that.

She'd lick her teeth briefly.

Path of bones? Path of fire? She'd seen a bit much of fire recently, so she could guess where the party would favor. But certainly, this was a troubling turn.

<Insight check- 18>

 

[Otiroth]

Otiroth: The crevice

"It is good to meet you then, Sela, odd circumstances or no. I am Otiroth," the sorcerer gave her a formal nod. "And my companion here is not exaggerating- there is turmoil in the north, and it may reach us here- above or below ground."

It was stated matter-of-factly; Otiroth had no idea if the beasts gossiped about on the streets would come down into the depths. But such things had ways of affecting everything.

"Can you tell us anything? Of what may lie on the paths ahead?" He almost smiled. Some of it was probably self-explanatory!

<History check=15>