Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

Graxx gently sits the axe down next to him.  He does NOT want to investigate the axe thoroughly yet during this time of rest.

Graxx looks to Doozey.

"Well it don't change the way I think about you Doozey.  You're a darn good fighter and a good friend.  I appreciate you letting us know though.  Using your power for good.  I can't see how anyone could have a problem with that."

Hit Dice:  14

Perception:  19

"Oh there's plenty of people with problems with it. Usually the kind who have personally scarred in some way by bearers of the curse who are either not aware of the order, or would see us simply as more 'beast' take out in their quest for revenge, justice, or perhaps other reasons altogether." Doozey expressed plainly. "There's even the more unscrupulous type like those thieves that would seek to use the break through for their own ends, worshippers of Malar that would try to tempt or destroy us, and... well, the list goes on." Doozey adds with a shrug and Biscuit nodding grimly in agreement. 

"Which is why members of the Order are very particular about who they reveal such traits.... Which, uh... goes without saying that all of this needs to stay between us."

(OOC: Since there was no revealed preference for taking a rest in the other room, I'll assume it takes place right here.)

Despite Neya's presumption regarding a comparatively easier trek back, Doozey prefers not to take too many risks and convinces the party to wait for some time for the bandages and salves to settles properly. CRAP agrees to claim Zaralda's room for this purpose, so that they only have to watch one known entryway. While Doozey reverts to his halfling form and shares more details about his order and past, Utar decides to do a bit of investigating himself. He finds little in the way of secret compartments on the desks; they are actually quite standard. Furthermore, after Zaralda had her pick of documents to take with her and Neya had a second pass, most of the notes left behind for Utar to look over are quite mundane. 

Cassyt listens to Doozey's stories too but does not say much. She even takes a couple of notes. Graxx makes a point of not rushing his introduction to the newfound greataxe.

Throughout the resting period, the entire group can hear distant wails and screeches, with Neya picking up on fewer noise samples than the others. They never sound like they are too close for comfort, but do confirm that the catacombs are not entirely cleansed from an undead presence. With a mental and physical map of the area now in hands, the group can deduce that most, if not all, of the sounds are coming from the area dubbed "the necropolis."

• Doozey recovers 13 HP.
• Biscuit recovers 11 HP.
• Utar recovers 25 HP.
• Neya recovers 32 HP.
• Graxx recovers 19 HP.

(OOC: Where is the group headed after the rest?) 

Doozey notices, but otherwise refrains from say anything about the note taking from Cassyt. Rather the interest of the stoutling seemed more directed to the rest of the party, and their reaction to the news. Granted, there had been a few scattered clues, and even the whole mansion fight incident. Even if most had been focused on dealing with matters within the room, someone had to have seen something maybe?

Regardless, the fact that everyone had taken it in stride was... it left Doozey lost in thought for a good while there. Long enough even to not even realize the hour's rest was up until Graxx or Utar likely said something to that effect. Though quick to follow the others out as well, Doozey paused for a moment to look at the circle and his handwork in trying to mar the sigils to prevent future use. He would then look between the cultist and the others on the way out, and would just about be ready to ask again about taking the head. But at a glance back at Cassyt, the words die in his throat. So instead, his attention turned to biscuit as he'd sniff at the former zombie and collegue of Cassyt, having had a better view of the woman's breakdown over the discovery. The horned beast then looked up to Cassyt, tail lowly wagging in expectation of something from her.

Eventually, Doozey addresses the group, "Alright. Straight shot to the statue, and then, uh... we still going the stairs route? Or might we take the same way as those thieve'n trio and make our way back there? My vote would be that way, if only to lower the odds of more undead catching us in a compromising position on the way out. But, I trust the rest of you know better."

Spending much of the time of their rest in contemplation of Doozey's admissions, Utar is reminded of the boy inflicted with lycanthropy at Sokol Keep who had never wished for such an affliction and of the gang of similarly afflicted thieves they had fought their way through who seemed to revel in the abilities the curse brought to them.  Hearing Doozey's explanation that his order used their power to fight others who would use such power for more nefarious ends sat more comfortably with him than he expected.  The stoutling had proven himself a valuable ally and more than that Utar couldn't help but count him amongst his friends: if Doozey felt his lycanthropy allowed him to do more good than harm, that was an opinion that he could get behind.

On their way from the room, Utar lingered by the remains of the Kelemvorite who had formed part of the skeletal juggernaut they had faced in the battle just gone and addressed Cassyt directly.

"Would your order want his remains brought to the surface for interment or further investigation?"

Turning towards Doozey, he adds: "Happy to take either route, although we are down here to cleanse it of the restless dead.  It might sit better with the Kelemvorites to know we had done a thorough job?"

"I have no issues with helping eradicating any remaining undead Zaralda has raised." Neya says. "Though we should be careful how long we spend down here as it may be easy to lose track of time."

"Who said we weren't coming back down here?" Doozey requested. "Job is not remotely done as far as I'm concerned. We're just reporting and maybe resupplying on healer's kits, if at all possible. And given the clue about the pool, all the more reason to return... Though-..." He cast his gaze downward with a grimace. "It would mean delay our trip to the north. And every day we're not on that task, increases the odds of those islanders achieving their own grim goals." 

Biscuit nudges the halflings face until a half-annoyed, but half-thankful Doozey looked up enough to pet the mastiff. "I know, brother... this is a touch more important." He muttered, sighed after a moment, and then finally looked up to the others. "One thing at a time. First we get out of here. Alert our allies through our priest friend up top. Resupply if we can, and then if there's still time today... dive back down here and finish this. Because once we're committed, odds are turning back will be far easier said than done."

(@Drache: Good thing that Neya has just the item to help her keep track of time while inside a dungeon!)

Neya, Utar, and Doozey deliberate for a while longer and come up with a plan. The first step is to get out of the catacombs. Before they leave the area where Zaralda had made residence, Doozey checks his handy work and confirms that the runes look sufficiently tempered with. Utar uses his extra minutes to check on Cassyt and ask about the deceased Kelemvorite. She responds: "Yes, I would very much prefer to take Brother Rasoran with us. May I bother you to carry his body?" Assuming Utar agrees, the group finishes collecting their belongings and moving back the way they came. Cassyt gives Biscuit a rub in a thankful gesture for also asking about Brother Rasoran in his own way.

Finding their way back to the Jergal statue is no trouble at all, and CRAP does not run into any straggling undead. At this point they have to decide to try to climb the remains of the stair case, which don't look particularly sturdy, or mimic the Welcomers and pull themselves up the sun room's shaft. Cassyt pitches in: "There is also the pulley system we came across at the very beginning of our journey, the one used to lower the deceased down to the necropolis. We could use that, and it would certainly come in handy when hoisting Brother Rasoran up."

(OOC: When your decision is made, please describe how you are moving back to the upper level and roll a suitable skill check, if appropriate. Somebody also has a potion of climbing, right?) 

Utar consents to carrying Brother Rasoran's remains, telling Cassyt that he does not consider it to be a burden at all. He spends his final moments in the room collecting and carefully wrapping them and storing them in his pack as best he can.

Carefully linking Brother Rasoran's arms over his neck, Utar hoists himself and the Kelemvorite and follows after the rest of CRAP.

Athletics - 20

(OOC I'm assuming there are a lot of bones and some kind of check is likely necessary? Utar's vote is for the pulley lift.)

Graxx stows his weapons and makes sure the sharp ends are pointing to his left shoulder.  He then picks up the manacled Kobold and places it over his right shoulder.

"I think I can carry this feller on my shoulder without using the pulley system.  If it drop it a few times, it probably won't matter." Graxx says with a joking smile.

Graxx walks up to the broken staircase.

"Let me go first and see if these will hold."

Graxx steadies the kobold on his shoulder and rubs his hands together.  Graxx then begins to climb the staircase.

Athletics:  17

(Yup, also the darkvision spell also acts as a timer of sorts since it runs its course w/o concentration)

Neya will wait until the other get up the stairs and teleport up there.

 "Hmn. Good idea for the future when we're ready to explore the area. Bad idea for now if the goal is to get back without attracting more attention, or getting in another scrap. Which is more than likely to be the case from what I picked up on the last time I poked my head in there." Doozey explained to Cassyt(and by extension, Utar).

Hopefully with the mattered settled, Doozey and Biscuit at least remain at the bottom to wait for some rope to be lowered, and the pair be pulled up once the stronger members made the climb via stairs. In the meantime, Doozey tries his best to help to help in his own way calling out better foot holds or giving maybe some small advance warning if it looks like a portion of the stairs might give out on the ascenders from his perspective.

Graxx offers to go first after getting the unconscious and manacled kobold over his shoulder. Some bits and pieces of the remainder of the steps and/or footholds and handholds come loose as the barbarian ascends, but he reaches the top without much trouble.

Utar goes next, carrying the wait of Brother Rasoran's corpse on his shoulders and neck. The Tormite moves a bit slower, but wisely mimics the path taken by his human friend. The cleric also reaches the top safely. 

With the strong men of the group already up, Cassyt feels it is now her turn (after her alternative idea is reasoned away by Doozey.) She gives it a try while taking advantage of the stoutling's helpful pointers.

-> Cassyt's athletics check: 12

The young half-elf impresses in a bout of inspired athleticism. She waves at Biscuit from above. 

Doozey decides to wait for some rope, so Neya teleports herself upward and sets one for ranger. Biscuit and Doozey still need to make their way up. 

(OOC: Doozey can roll his check with advantage. I'm assuming somebody will hoist Biscuit up, so that person needs to roll another athletics check.) 

Even Doozey can't help but slowly clap and nod at Cassyt. Biscuit barks happily, and is just about to run up the stairs in his excitement to join Cassyt and the rest, if not for Doozey tackling the beast. "Hold your horses, ya nuttur! I can't very well catch ya if ya fall, ya know!" He berates. Biscuit whines in annoyance, but would eventually calm down by the time rope gets lowered down. At which point sets about getting the beast nice and secured before calling up to the others to begin the lift.

Only once Biscuit was safe with the others did Doozey considered the stairs with a grimace. "Eh, uh... mind lowering the rope for me as well? Don't need to pull me up, but having the safety line would be nice." Doozey unabashedly admits. Nor shy away would he if Cassyt reacts at all to it. Once secured, if its even possible to be, Doozey takes one final deep breath before begin his own ascent...

Athletics: 7.

Knowing Graxx is there to heave on the line should it be needed and glad to free of Brother Rasoran's weight for a moment, Utar gently hauls Biscuit up to the rest of the group.

Athletics - 22

Once safe at the top of the stairs, Utar lowers the route again, hoping it might help the stoutling as it had helped the Kelemvorite before him.

(OOC: The rope already counts as the help action for Doozey, hence the advantage.)

After calming Biscuit down, Doozey ties the rope around the mastiff's chest, so that his weight is supported behind his underarms. Having put the Kelemvorite's body down momentarily, Utar then hoists Biscuit up. It is not a fast affair but it is still a successful one.

Soon, the rope is freed and lowered again. Doozey initially tries to use it simply as a handhold but realizes he overestimated his upper body strength half way up. The stoutling lets go of the rope and tries to brace for the fall.

-> Doozey's DEX saving throw {DC 10}: 20 Damage: 3 

It is nothing but a scuff in the end. For his second attempt, Doozey ties the rope around his waist instead. This allows Utar to help him up should the stoutling's arm start trembling again. Eventually, he joins the group upstairs. (Doozey takes 2 bludgeoning damage.)

(OOC: From here, it should be an easy trek back to the front gate. That said, I'll pause here so you can let me know if you want to do anything else in the catacombs before exiting. From where you are, for instance, you can revisit the bone pit, the area where the other Kelemvorite was attacked, the area with the more pleasant versions of the posthumous displays, or the room with the block-and-tackle setup.)  

(OOC: I'm basing this post on the OOC Chat discussion.)

Upon arriving to the upper levels, Doozey remembers to mention to the others that he had some time to implement an Alarm at the secret entrance to the Welcomers' stash. Cassyt seems to like the idea, though she is still not fully convinced of the group's intentions regarding that encounter. She says so out loud but in a rhetoric manner. She is expecting no response, no further justification.

Utar approves of Doozey's idea and, a moment later, Neya and Graxx remind the party they'd better be moving. They do just that. Upon reaching the entrance, a scaredy-cat young acolyte gasps and runs away without saying a word. Several minutes later, Doomguide Yovir shows up with a sincere smile in his face and a key in his hand: "I am very happy to see you all alive and well. I can see some bruises, but I guess that was expected." He opens the gate: "Now come, tell me of your adventure. I am sure it will sound grave."

Cassyt wastes no time. Right then and there, barely out of the set of steps leading out of the catacombs, she puts on her tell-tale hat and opens her notebook: "Wisest Doomguide, you won't believe what these mercenaries did! Sure, they were helpful, but they also negotiated with grave-robbers, basically collaborated with them, and left their contraband intact in some secret stash. But fear not, Doomguide, I know its exact location. But that is not all! They let some filthy necromancer escape and didn't even have the courage to go after her, or the sense of duty to support my claim that we'd not let her enter the catacombs again. But wait, there is more: the tall one over there is caring an axe that was most likely dug up from somewhere within the necropolis; and the short one over there is a lycantrope... that's right, a lycantrope! Send for the silver chains right now! The so called religious man of the group does nothing to deter any of these blasphemies. And the girl in the group, she teleports around in the shadows, like some vampire! Send for the holy water too!"

Before she says anything else or Yovir has a chance to respond, CRAP has a moment to intervene.

While Doozey could not have claimed to anticipate just how immediately Cassyt would nark on the group, let alone that she would do so at all(though signs were there), the stoutling seemed nonplussed about the whole situation. He just folded his hands behind the back of his head, and side-eyed the others.  Biscuit, who in the time it took for the acolyte to go fetch Yovir if not well before then shifted back to his more adorable form, looked positively hurt as Cassyt blatantly betrayed Doozey's trust! And so torn is he between distress and anger at the mention of chains, all he could but sit down and whimper with his ears flopped down to the side.

Still cradling the zombified body of Brother Rasoran in his arms, Utar slowly turns his head to look at Cassyt following her outburst and fixes her with a hard stare.

"We're returning Brother Rasoran to your care, Doomguide. And this one beside."

Finding a suitable place to lay the body down, Utar does so gently and with some reverence for the Kelemvorite. Turning to face Yovir, Utar decides to give some of the nuance missing from Cassyt's version of events.

"We suspect that a red-robed wizard was either creating the undead in the catacombs or using them as a cover for some other purpose. We've some of her papers as well as a kobold lackey who we intend to question for information."

Utar then utters his next line of speech, deliberately emphasising that his invitation extends to the Doomguide only.

"You are of course welcome to help us decipher the notes and question the kobold. Although Cassyt is correct in so far as the wizard did evade us, we had neither the skill or ability to utilise her magical escape route. We have however altered it such that should not be possible to use a second time. I would also note that while some Welcomers had found themselves a way into the catacombs, we have identified their stash and method of entry to the catacombs such that your Kelemvorite acolytes should be able to barricade it to prevent further visits."

Again, Utar's words become rather pointed, "Cassyt here can lead the way on that front."

Taking a final breath, Utar addresses the were-elephant in the room. "Finally, know that I consider Doozey my sworn brother, in the same way I would stand by both Graxx and Neya should the need arise, or they ask it. I consider their names etched alongside a few more to which I owe a particular debt. I would not see him chained and I would not see Neya undergo some kind of faux exorcism."

With that Utar crosses his arms and awaits the response of Doomguide Yovir.

Graxx bares his teeth slightly and begins to make a move toward Cassyt but stops when Utar starts talking.

Graxx stays his hand but does not bite his tongue.

"You DARE accuse us of not having courage!"

Graxx takes the new axe from his back and holds it.

"This axe was a spoil of war!  You have no proof that it was dug from the catacombs or was brought to the catacombs."

Graxx taps his newly acquired knee pads with the axe.

"Remember when I got these.  You said they were a spoil of war and was not looting.  What makes this axe any different?"

Graxx growls.

"I'll tell you what makes it different.  Your pride wasn't hurt when I got the kneepads.  Your pride is now hurt because in the real world there is no black and white.  You have to make tough choices.  Tough choices your little books don't prepare you for.  Only spilling blood and having your own blood spilled prepares you.  You are just trying to stir crap up.  You are so quick to run and try to make us look bad but you speak nothing of what we accomplished down below."

Graxx spits on the ground.

"We risked our lives.  One of the reasons the wizard got away was because I came back to fight that monstrosity because I feared for your safety."

Graxx shakes his head in disgust.

"We risk our lives and this is how we are repaid.  With the threat of CHAINS!"

Graxx does not stow his axe he moves and positions himself between Doozey and Neya if possible.  Graxx lets out a sigh and looks down at the ground then back up to Cassyt.

"I had high hopes for you Cassyt.  That's why I wanted you to come.  To give you the experience you desired.... Worse than angering me.... Worse than attempting to betray us... Worse than disgusting me... You have disappointed me."