Malachi joins the others at Marshal Lanya’s house, dropping down to the floor, overcome with exhaustion. But before falls to sleep, he looks at Samir with a mix of awe and reverence. “Samir, that was unexpected and quite impressive. The people were confused and scared, how did you know how they would handle the truth? Do you think they are ready for it? Marion’s order may soon find the city a prime recruiting ground for the lady.”
Morning light begins to creep through the sky much earlier than the adventurers may have preferred, and they are soon faced with the prospect of starting the new day well short of the ideal amount of sleep. Lanya evidently has not made it home from her meeting yet, though the 8:00 bell has sounded
Drifting off to sleep, Samir can only look at Malachi with half-closed eyes, cradling his head on his seemingly infinite bag. He gives a half-hearted shrug, the motion made more difficult by his position on the floor. "I guess... I didn't... just thought... they should know the truth." With that half-mumbled reply, he is out, diving into whatever dreams may await him.
Those dreams, however, were disturbed by far too quickly by the ringing of the bell and the stabbing rays of sunlight coming through the windows. Mumbling and grunting, the artificer rolls over and covers his head with one arm, trying to go back to sleep for a few more hours unless one of his companions insist on getting an earlier start.
(Joren: Short Rest, two hit dice: 2d10+4 = 16 hp recovered, no Long Rest, still suffering from one level of Exhaustion).
Waking from a dark, blessedly dreamless sleep, Joren squints one eye open at the sunlight, then sits bolt upright.
Why is Marshal Lanya not coming home? Did she return and leave again?
Trying not to disturb the others, he splashes water on his face, then cleans and dons his Chain Mail as quietly as he can.
As he steps to the door, Joren announces: "I am going to check on Marshal Lanya. If anyone is wanting to come with me, all the better. But I am not blaming you in the slightest if you wish to finish your well-earned rest. I can be going alone."
He waits a few seconds for any responses (or a minute or two if anyone does arise to join him), then departs out into the streets of Tensmith.
Malachi wakes up nursing a splitting headache and pulls his cloak up over his head as the light comes through the window. He mumbles a curse as Joren announces his intentions and tries to get him to stay “Joren, no. Wait a little longer, get some needed rest. I am sure the Marshal is fine, the city went all to pieces and it is probably taking some time to put it back. We should stick together. Besides, no one gets kidnapped twice in the same day.” Malachi doesn’t sound as sure of that last statement as he wants to be.
Joren hesitates slightly at Malachi's protest, his muscles still aching and his eyelids heavy, but then regains his resolution.
"Hoping you are right, Malachi. Everything being fine. But as a soldier, I cannot be counting on that. And the last week (less than a week!) during which I am knowing all of you has taught me not to trust that things are not going wrong in unexpected ways. I am hoping to be returning soon."
Joren's voice is quiet, not insistent. He waits a few minutes in case anyone chooses to join him, then departs, summoning his echo as he does.
With all the magic in Tensmith recently, perhaps my echo will not cause too much of a stir if I keep it to the alleyways...
"Joren, please, don't go. I would be going with you, but I am too exhausted in rest and in spell slots and will be of no use to anyone without a full nights sleep. Stay with the rest of us, we'll find Marshal Lanya in 2 hours. Her situation will not change much in that time."
And Ashley pulls her cloak around her tightly but watches for Joren's answer.
A few bells later everyone is feeling much more rested. Any considerations of whether they should take just 20 more minutes of rest are abandoned when footsteps are heard on the stairs outside Lanya's door. Seconds later, there comes a knock followed by Miter's voice. "I suggest you get yourselves decent. You presence has been requested by Mayor Berg back at the guardhouse."
Ashley heads to the door and whips it open. “Good morning to you, Miter, but I don’t give a rats ass what Mayor Berg wants. How’s Marshal Lanya? Why didn’t she come home last night?”Her hair gives away her annoyance at the mere mention of the mayor, but as she asks about the Marshall, her hair and voice soften with concern.
Miter is a little taken aback by Ashley's aggression, but as she softens, he quickly replies, "Sorry, I should have been clear, Lanya's there as well. They stayed up discussing the path forward all night, and deliberations just finished. As Lanya made it clear how involved you were in everything that happened yesterday, and the exposing of Andra, Mayor Berg, Marshall Lanya, and the others have some matters to discuss with you about what happens next. Shall I head back and inform them that you will be in attendance soon, or..."
Joren breathes a sigh of relief that nothing at least seems to have gone wrong as a result of his not checking on Marshal Lanya at first bell. Followed by a grin at Ashley's candor about Mayor Berg. He stretches, then splashes water on his face and puts on his armor once more, feeling a bit of déjà vu.
"Being in attendance soon. At least me," he drawls laconically. "May as well while we can before some newly-released wild magic is calling down a comet on Tensmith, or giant gloazworms from below turn it into a slaughterhouse, all prior to the true enemies even arriving from the sea."
Malachi rouses himself and stretches as Miter shares his information. “They aim to recognize us for the good we have done so far, I hope. The list has only grown since last time we met the Mayor. As far as what happens next, I suppose we should be on our way to Talmouth to warn the council there.” Malachi stifles a yawn as he readies his gear for travel.
Samir groans softly at the knock on the door, pushing his face downward into the soft leather of his bag. He listens as Ashley confronts Miter, bunching up his shoulders and stretching as he does. With a sigh he rolls over and sits up, immediately beginning to reach for the glasses nearby.
"Yes, we will be there soon. Only give us a few moments to wake up."
He blinks widely as the glasses are fitted into place, his eyes looking noticeably larger behind the lenses. With a heavy yawn, Samir sets about gathering up his things and preparing to leave, trying to stifle a deep yearning for a decent cup of coffee.
Miter nods and closes the door without another word, heading out to herald the adventurers' approach. Minutes later, after gathering up their necessary belongings and freshening up for the day, the troupe likewise departs. The town is much quieter now, though there is still the occasional person daring to open up shop. Signs of the last night's disturbances are evident in scorch marks, debris, and puddles of varying size and nature.
Soon enough, the guardhouse is in sight. A tired looking guard stands out front. Upon seeing the party, he nods and beckons for them to follow, going through the door leading in and holding it open for everyone to follow. Blankets and bedrolls still line the halls, with people sleeping off their now tended-to injuries. A non-uniformed halfling woman makes her way among the patients, bringing water to those who have started to stir.
Finally, they arrive at the door to the office where last they had seen Marshall Lanya and Mayor Berg. The officer knocks on the door, and Lanya responds immediately. "Come in, come in." The officer then holds the door open and gestures for the party to enter.
All the officials who had been in attendance the previous night are sitting or standing about the room, heavy circles under their eyes, while their assistants finish gathering up and organization various papers and files strewn about the large table in the middle of the room. A stack of used mugs sits in the corner, smelling faintly of whiskey and strongly of oversteeped tea.
Lanya is laid out by the wall on a bedroll with several pillows supporting her head, a pile of bloody rags, and a map of Cambria on the floor beside her. One side of her shirt is pulled up, and someone is redressing her wound. She looks up as the group enters and smiles weakly. Then she looks over at the mayor, pacing a few feet away with his hand on his chin in thought. He pauses and looks the newcomers up and down appraisngly. "Good, you're all here," he says brusquely. "I trust you all had a good night?"
Lanya gives a small salute back before the mayor continues. "True, it has been a long night. And a trying one at that, BUT I think things are looking up." He snaps his fingers at an assistant and they scurry to retrieve something for him. "After much deliberation, we have concluded that the evidence against Andra is conclusive, and marks him as an enemy of the city. Furthermore, in light of his activities, it no longer makes sense to maintain the lockdown. The pretense for it was false to begin with, and only served to forward the agenda of Andra and the supposed cult."
The assistant comes running back bearing a satchel loaded with papers. She rifles around for a second before pulling out a document that she hands over to Mayor Berg. "After hearing a detailed report from Lanya about your involvement in the case, and your pivotal role in Andra's exposure, I wish to personally extend my gratitude on behalf of the city. A lean and trying time in our city's history has come to an end thanks to your involvement. Once again we will be able to open our gates and flourish from our exports. And though your conduct was outside the bounds of an official investigation and we do not condone vigilante activities here, Lanya assures me that she witnessed no breaches of the laws of Tensmith or of Cambria on a whole. Nor have any civilians or officers come forth with complaints. Now, there is yet more to discuss, but first I would know, do your plans take you to the capital from here?"
As Berg talks about gratitude and the parties conduct, Ashley does her best to keep quiet. Just annoyed with the whole show of it all. She keeps looking over to where Lanya is, making sure see appears to be ok. As the mayor raises his question, she looks back to him. "Yes, we do plan to head to the capital from here."
Mayor Berg holds out the paper he had been handed. "Well then on behalf of my office as mayor for the people of Tensmith, I would like to offer you a reward for your services. Unfortunately, with trade shut down I had to deplete most of the city's cash reserves to make sure there was enough money circulating amongst the people to keep the economy alive. So instead, I present you with this money order. You can present it at the treasury in Talmouth to receive compensation for services rendered." He hands the money order over, which clearly denotes an entitlement of 500 gold pieces.
At this point Andra's replacement, Scormen, approaches. "Now, your intervention has already done much to assist us, but if we may ask something more of you... Not a favour, of course, as that implies you get nothing immediately in return. Though my predecessor has been identified as a rogue agent working for the cult, our fears did come true in that his people managed to make off with a number of our mining rigs through the tunnels under Cambria. We need to inform the council of the situation and coordinate with them so we can intercept any attempt to smuggle the rigs out through the port in Talmouth." He receives two more documents from the assistant. "If you would agree to deliver a missive for us, we would provide you with a letter of introduction to Jean-Lou. He's not the most influential on the council, but is a valuable correspondent, and more importantly, he tends to stand at odds with Marigold, on whom the Marshall insists we not rely."
Joren grunts. "Seeming wise, that is. Given that we are all but confirming council member Marigold as a cultist leader from the correspondences we gathered belonging to the cult member at the foothills of the Shield Pass. Speaking for myself, I am happy to carry your message."
Nevertheless, he can't help but bring up the giant insectile monstrosity in the room. "I am glad that you are moving past the cultist-induced lockdown here. I am suspecting they merely did not wish you to discover their extensive tunnel network underneath Cambria which we were having the misfortune to traverse. But please, hearing me, once more, about the danger of the giant gloazworms in the vast underground chamber not far from where we were battling Andra. Even as I chased a fleeing cultist (now your prisoner) across the lake, she was almost decapitated by an giant adult gloazworm horror through an opening to that chamber before I was grappling her away at the last moment. Until then, I was thinking that the giant gloazworms were part of the cultists' plans, but now I am not sure. I am now suspecting these monsters were as much a surprise to them as they were to us."
"Still, I cannot be overstating the peril. The larvae are giant versions likely of the ones you have already encountered, big enough to easily swallow a man whole, which almost was happening to me." Joren shows everyone the rents in his chain mail once more. "Yet the adults were even worse. Over sixty feet long with wings and razor-sharp appendages and translucent, so difficult to see. Hundreds of both in the cavern. Seeming to wake up or go dormant possibly in relation to the temperature. But if they are emerging in force, most of Tensmith will die. Possibly most of Cambria."
Joren subsides, wondering whether he is the only one (outside of his own friends) who appreciates the danger.
Malachi joins the others at Marshal Lanya’s house, dropping down to the floor, overcome with exhaustion. But before falls to sleep, he looks at Samir with a mix of awe and reverence. “Samir, that was unexpected and quite impressive. The people were confused and scared, how did you know how they would handle the truth? Do you think they are ready for it? Marion’s order may soon find the city a prime recruiting ground for the lady.”
Morning light begins to creep through the sky much earlier than the adventurers may have preferred, and they are soon faced with the prospect of starting the new day well short of the ideal amount of sleep. Lanya evidently has not made it home from her meeting yet, though the 8:00 bell has sounded
Drifting off to sleep, Samir can only look at Malachi with half-closed eyes, cradling his head on his seemingly infinite bag. He gives a half-hearted shrug, the motion made more difficult by his position on the floor. "I guess... I didn't... just thought... they should know the truth." With that half-mumbled reply, he is out, diving into whatever dreams may await him.
Those dreams, however, were disturbed by far too quickly by the ringing of the bell and the stabbing rays of sunlight coming through the windows. Mumbling and grunting, the artificer rolls over and covers his head with one arm, trying to go back to sleep for a few more hours unless one of his companions insist on getting an earlier start.
(Joren: Short Rest, two hit dice: 2d10+4 = 16 hp recovered, no Long Rest, still suffering from one level of Exhaustion).
Waking from a dark, blessedly dreamless sleep, Joren squints one eye open at the sunlight, then sits bolt upright.
Why is Marshal Lanya not coming home? Did she return and leave again?
Trying not to disturb the others, he splashes water on his face, then cleans and dons his Chain Mail as quietly as he can.
As he steps to the door, Joren announces: "I am going to check on Marshal Lanya. If anyone is wanting to come with me, all the better. But I am not blaming you in the slightest if you wish to finish your well-earned rest. I can be going alone."
He waits a few seconds for any responses (or a minute or two if anyone does arise to join him), then departs out into the streets of Tensmith.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Malachi wakes up nursing a splitting headache and pulls his cloak up over his head as the light comes through the window. He mumbles a curse as Joren announces his intentions and tries to get him to stay “Joren, no. Wait a little longer, get some needed rest. I am sure the Marshal is fine, the city went all to pieces and it is probably taking some time to put it back. We should stick together. Besides, no one gets kidnapped twice in the same day.” Malachi doesn’t sound as sure of that last statement as he wants to be.
Joren hesitates slightly at Malachi's protest, his muscles still aching and his eyelids heavy, but then regains his resolution.
"Hoping you are right, Malachi. Everything being fine. But as a soldier, I cannot be counting on that. And the last week (less than a week!) during which I am knowing all of you has taught me not to trust that things are not going wrong in unexpected ways. I am hoping to be returning soon."
Joren's voice is quiet, not insistent. He waits a few minutes in case anyone chooses to join him, then departs, summoning his echo as he does.
With all the magic in Tensmith recently, perhaps my echo will not cause too much of a stir if I keep it to the alleyways...
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"Joren, please, don't go. I would be going with you, but I am too exhausted in rest and in spell slots and will be of no use to anyone without a full nights sleep. Stay with the rest of us, we'll find Marshal Lanya in 2 hours. Her situation will not change much in that time."
And Ashley pulls her cloak around her tightly but watches for Joren's answer.
At Ashley's plea, Joren's mouth opens and closes a few times and he looks a little lost.
"But I... shouldn't I... knowing there could be..."
He swallows and looks back at the fire genasi for a time, then down at the floor. "All right."
With a strange expression upon his face, Joren walks back into Marshal Lanya's home and removes his armor as quietly as he can.
Settling back to sleep once more.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
A few bells later everyone is feeling much more rested. Any considerations of whether they should take just 20 more minutes of rest are abandoned when footsteps are heard on the stairs outside Lanya's door. Seconds later, there comes a knock followed by Miter's voice. "I suggest you get yourselves decent. You presence has been requested by Mayor Berg back at the guardhouse."
Ashley heads to the door and whips it open. “Good morning to you, Miter, but I don’t give a rats ass what Mayor Berg wants. How’s Marshal Lanya? Why didn’t she come home last night?” Her hair gives away her annoyance at the mere mention of the mayor, but as she asks about the Marshall, her hair and voice soften with concern.
Miter is a little taken aback by Ashley's aggression, but as she softens, he quickly replies, "Sorry, I should have been clear, Lanya's there as well. They stayed up discussing the path forward all night, and deliberations just finished. As Lanya made it clear how involved you were in everything that happened yesterday, and the exposing of Andra, Mayor Berg, Marshall Lanya, and the others have some matters to discuss with you about what happens next. Shall I head back and inform them that you will be in attendance soon, or..."
Joren breathes a sigh of relief that nothing at least seems to have gone wrong as a result of his not checking on Marshal Lanya at first bell. Followed by a grin at Ashley's candor about Mayor Berg. He stretches, then splashes water on his face and puts on his armor once more, feeling a bit of déjà vu.
"Being in attendance soon. At least me," he drawls laconically. "May as well while we can before some newly-released wild magic is calling down a comet on Tensmith, or giant gloazworms from below turn it into a slaughterhouse, all prior to the true enemies even arriving from the sea."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Malachi rouses himself and stretches as Miter shares his information. “They aim to recognize us for the good we have done so far, I hope. The list has only grown since last time we met the Mayor. As far as what happens next, I suppose we should be on our way to Talmouth to warn the council there.” Malachi stifles a yawn as he readies his gear for travel.
Samir groans softly at the knock on the door, pushing his face downward into the soft leather of his bag. He listens as Ashley confronts Miter, bunching up his shoulders and stretching as he does. With a sigh he rolls over and sits up, immediately beginning to reach for the glasses nearby.
"Yes, we will be there soon. Only give us a few moments to wake up."
He blinks widely as the glasses are fitted into place, his eyes looking noticeably larger behind the lenses. With a heavy yawn, Samir sets about gathering up his things and preparing to leave, trying to stifle a deep yearning for a decent cup of coffee.
Miter nods and closes the door without another word, heading out to herald the adventurers' approach. Minutes later, after gathering up their necessary belongings and freshening up for the day, the troupe likewise departs. The town is much quieter now, though there is still the occasional person daring to open up shop. Signs of the last night's disturbances are evident in scorch marks, debris, and puddles of varying size and nature.
Soon enough, the guardhouse is in sight. A tired looking guard stands out front. Upon seeing the party, he nods and beckons for them to follow, going through the door leading in and holding it open for everyone to follow. Blankets and bedrolls still line the halls, with people sleeping off their now tended-to injuries. A non-uniformed halfling woman makes her way among the patients, bringing water to those who have started to stir.
Finally, they arrive at the door to the office where last they had seen Marshall Lanya and Mayor Berg. The officer knocks on the door, and Lanya responds immediately. "Come in, come in." The officer then holds the door open and gestures for the party to enter.
All the officials who had been in attendance the previous night are sitting or standing about the room, heavy circles under their eyes, while their assistants finish gathering up and organization various papers and files strewn about the large table in the middle of the room. A stack of used mugs sits in the corner, smelling faintly of whiskey and strongly of oversteeped tea.
Lanya is laid out by the wall on a bedroll with several pillows supporting her head, a pile of bloody rags, and a map of Cambria on the floor beside her. One side of her shirt is pulled up, and someone is redressing her wound. She looks up as the group enters and smiles weakly. Then she looks over at the mayor, pacing a few feet away with his hand on his chin in thought. He pauses and looks the newcomers up and down appraisngly. "Good, you're all here," he says brusquely. "I trust you all had a good night?"
Joren summons his echo, leaving it outside the door, out of view of those inside the room.
"Clearly not as good as you were having," he deadpans. "Mayor."
Joren turns and salutes Marshal Lanya.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Lanya gives a small salute back before the mayor continues. "True, it has been a long night. And a trying one at that, BUT I think things are looking up." He snaps his fingers at an assistant and they scurry to retrieve something for him. "After much deliberation, we have concluded that the evidence against Andra is conclusive, and marks him as an enemy of the city. Furthermore, in light of his activities, it no longer makes sense to maintain the lockdown. The pretense for it was false to begin with, and only served to forward the agenda of Andra and the supposed cult."
The assistant comes running back bearing a satchel loaded with papers. She rifles around for a second before pulling out a document that she hands over to Mayor Berg. "After hearing a detailed report from Lanya about your involvement in the case, and your pivotal role in Andra's exposure, I wish to personally extend my gratitude on behalf of the city. A lean and trying time in our city's history has come to an end thanks to your involvement. Once again we will be able to open our gates and flourish from our exports. And though your conduct was outside the bounds of an official investigation and we do not condone vigilante activities here, Lanya assures me that she witnessed no breaches of the laws of Tensmith or of Cambria on a whole. Nor have any civilians or officers come forth with complaints. Now, there is yet more to discuss, but first I would know, do your plans take you to the capital from here?"
As Berg talks about gratitude and the parties conduct, Ashley does her best to keep quiet. Just annoyed with the whole show of it all. She keeps looking over to where Lanya is, making sure see appears to be ok. As the mayor raises his question, she looks back to him. "Yes, we do plan to head to the capital from here."
Mayor Berg holds out the paper he had been handed. "Well then on behalf of my office as mayor for the people of Tensmith, I would like to offer you a reward for your services. Unfortunately, with trade shut down I had to deplete most of the city's cash reserves to make sure there was enough money circulating amongst the people to keep the economy alive. So instead, I present you with this money order. You can present it at the treasury in Talmouth to receive compensation for services rendered." He hands the money order over, which clearly denotes an entitlement of 500 gold pieces.
At this point Andra's replacement, Scormen, approaches. "Now, your intervention has already done much to assist us, but if we may ask something more of you... Not a favour, of course, as that implies you get nothing immediately in return. Though my predecessor has been identified as a rogue agent working for the cult, our fears did come true in that his people managed to make off with a number of our mining rigs through the tunnels under Cambria. We need to inform the council of the situation and coordinate with them so we can intercept any attempt to smuggle the rigs out through the port in Talmouth." He receives two more documents from the assistant. "If you would agree to deliver a missive for us, we would provide you with a letter of introduction to Jean-Lou. He's not the most influential on the council, but is a valuable correspondent, and more importantly, he tends to stand at odds with Marigold, on whom the Marshall insists we not rely."
Joren grunts. "Seeming wise, that is. Given that we are all but confirming council member Marigold as a cultist leader from the correspondences we gathered belonging to the cult member at the foothills of the Shield Pass. Speaking for myself, I am happy to carry your message."
Nevertheless, he can't help but bring up the giant insectile monstrosity in the room. "I am glad that you are moving past the cultist-induced lockdown here. I am suspecting they merely did not wish you to discover their extensive tunnel network underneath Cambria which we were having the misfortune to traverse. But please, hearing me, once more, about the danger of the giant gloazworms in the vast underground chamber not far from where we were battling Andra. Even as I chased a fleeing cultist (now your prisoner) across the lake, she was almost decapitated by an giant adult gloazworm horror through an opening to that chamber before I was grappling her away at the last moment. Until then, I was thinking that the giant gloazworms were part of the cultists' plans, but now I am not sure. I am now suspecting these monsters were as much a surprise to them as they were to us."
"Still, I cannot be overstating the peril. The larvae are giant versions likely of the ones you have already encountered, big enough to easily swallow a man whole, which almost was happening to me." Joren shows everyone the rents in his chain mail once more. "Yet the adults were even worse. Over sixty feet long with wings and razor-sharp appendages and translucent, so difficult to see. Hundreds of both in the cavern. Seeming to wake up or go dormant possibly in relation to the temperature. But if they are emerging in force, most of Tensmith will die. Possibly most of Cambria."
Joren subsides, wondering whether he is the only one (outside of his own friends) who appreciates the danger.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk