Joren is not a deep enough thinker for his sense of non-lethal mercy to extend to messenger rats or even guardian rat-men (and he knows of no way to get information out of the rat). He looks fondly to Ashley, a bit puzzled, concluding that she is just a nicer person than he is. He responds verbally to her glance:
"Nicely done. Next - killing it, I think? Or I can be doing it if you prefer. Then listening for other squeakers. We cannot be taking a chance of them warning a larger group. If no more rats, then if you are having a rope, coming over here and tying this one up. I am losing my rope when my pack burned up earlier. We should be meeting back up with the group to decide what to do next - hoping they have captured the 2nd man..."
"Oh yes, kill it by all means! I just didn't want to miss it if I attacked it, so well, here we are." she gives him a shrug and a smile. As Joren takes care of the small rat, Ashley again pulls out the disgusting necklace and attempts to burn others in case there are more squeakers around by casting produce flame again. Joren can tell by the way she casts this spell that it is as natural to her as breathing as she focuses on the necklace and her hand does it's thing.
The rat wriggles and squirms under the bedroll, trying to claw and bites its way out with no avail.
Marion:
Marion closes her eyes and breathes deep. When she opens them again, she sees a strong, sickly yellow aura around Lancet, strongest where a rat necklace rests around his neck with just two large rat ears that look freshly harvested. That same yellow glow emanates from several pouches on Samir's person, which strikes Marion as concerning. Her divine sense had never shown her anything about items before. Only beings. She looks again at the knife, but it feels ordinary.
But there is another sensation. Marion reaches out, feeling deeper. There is... something... coming from Silas, Malachi, and Samir. She doesn't see it, but feels like she almost could. The sensation given off by each is slightly different, but each with a similar, familiar undertone. It almost feels like the touch of the Blue Lady herself.
Joren smiles to see Ashley in her element with the fire. He stows his greatsword and pulls out his two handaxes so that he can make two attacks with them having the light property. He counts down for her to remove the bedroll on 'go': "3... 2... 1... go!"
Samir stands by, watching as Malachi and the others set to dealing with the cultist. He keeps his bolt thrower ready but not trained on the man, not wanting to spoil whatever hold Malachi seems to have over him. He can hear Joren and Ashley down the hall doing something but it doesn't sound as if they are in trouble, judging by the lack of screams of anguish or death. The surge of adrenaline begins to slip away as he sags in place a bit, adjusting his glasses nervously.
The rat manages to snag a corner of the roll as Ashley tugs it away, getting pulled out of the path of Joren’s first chop, but his second axe strikes true and the rat falls in two pieces.
With the last of the ears burnt to a crisp, there is suddenly only silence and calm.
Ashley breathes a sigh of relief, rolls up her bedroll and sticks it back in her bag. "Shall we?"She asks Joren and she heads back to Marion and the rest to help out.
She sees the man she had in the earthen hand talking with Malachi, "Um, what is going on?"
Before she heads back, Joren asks Ashley for a rope and ties up the lead escapee that he had knocked out (Daniel the ratkeeper?) and tosses his bound, unconscious form over his shoulder. As he approaches the rest of the group behind Ashley, he hangs back a little, so the group notices him but hopefully Lancet (the second man) does not. He looks for the first man he had passed, apparently the boss (Marcus the scriptor?), hopefully tied up and unconscious. Trying to account for all cultist and cultist assets before he allows himself to relax a little.
Silas mills about a little, seemingly distracted, at forat he tries to find a felled enemy, preferably one of rat hybrid but any will do, once found he sticks a finger in a wound and opens his Book of Shadows letting single drop of his enemies blood be absorbed into the last page.
Once that is done he investigates the glowing moss down the left tunnel where Joren and Ashley have just arrived from, he breathes in a little of the gas as before to see if it has any adverse effects on him.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As she opens her eyes Marion immediately locks her eyes upon Samir, staring at the Half-Orc with a worried expression on her face.
After a moment she leans down and retrieves Lancet's knife, before moving to take up a position to keep guard, placing her back to the side of the corridor so she can watch both Lancet and the tunnel as the others question him. As she settles into a sentinel's stance, axe and shield held relaxed but ready, Marion focuses her attention on her surroundings, ready for sight or sound of any danger.
There have been too many surprises of late, and Marion is determined to be prepared for whatever happens next. She feels confident when her eyes and ears tell her there are no more immediate threats around for now. With no pressing danger, Marion instead tries to deduce information about their surroundings and situation.
The knife. She looks at it and turns it over in her hand. It seems well balanced and sharp, but more interestingly is the shape. The blade itself is wavy and sharp on both sides. It laso ends in a deadly point. Looking at the weapon, Marion realizes that the shape of the blade would make it a bit easier to slice through materials, and whether slashing or stabbing, would leave vicious wounds that were slower than usual to healed, even with medical aid or magic. (+1 damage and temporarily reduces max HP by half of the damage dealt).
She then turns her attention to her surroundings. She was not used to such environs, having spent most her life at the Lady's Keep. But if she thought it through, she should surely be able to make something of the information around her. The water dripping, and the partially formed stalactites made it clear this was a naturally formed part of the cave, surely from mountain run-off making its way to the west coast through underground channels. If that's the case, it may not necessarily be a straight shot to wherever Lancet and the others had been running, or to the tunnel that was supposedly being made out to the mines in Tensmouth. What's more, there could potentially be more than just rats and weird cultists down here. On the other hand, if they did find the right path, the caves could possibly lead them right to the heart of the evil she had sensed.
Then Marion notices Silas's, standing near the recently killed rat-man. In its stillness, she notices that it is missing both of its ears, one wound fresher than the other. If it was one of Jon's two unaccounted-for rat-men, that would explain it. The three newcomers could have removed the remaining ear from each of the two rat-men to regain control. As she looks on, she sees Silas quickly stoop over and touch the wound left by Joren before letting a drop of the blood fall into his book.
The page of Silas's book seems to swallow the drop eagerly. The red quickly seeps into the paper, becoming dry to the touch in a matter of seconds. Nothing more happens right away, so he heads off to examine the moss. He takes a small breathe and waits. Nothing happens. He breathes deep, letting the air fill his lungs. He can feel a sleepiness rise inside him, but his eyes itch and tingle and remains wide awake. As if he is unable to fall asleep. Or does it feel more like he isn't allowed to?
Malachi responds to Silas’ question with a shrug and a whisper “I am not sure how long it lasts, it doesn’t always work. When it does work, I rarely stay around long enough to see. I am usually heading in the other direction.” He pushes past and ignores the creeping sensation in the back of his mind as he turns his attention to Lancet.
Happy to see his companions start to regroup and relieved everyone is safe, Malachi moves around to try to prevent Lancet from seeing the bound captives. With an expression that says he is very interested in what Lancet has to say, he presses him for more information on Razmus. “What, not welcome? I am no outsider. Surely Razmus welcomes all. We must do our best to impress before he arrives on these shores. He is coming by boat, then? When will he arrive, do you think?”
Silas nods at Malachi's response, he feels he is getting a better understanding of the elf, he then let's Malachi continue. Trying to be careful to not say anything himself, as to not effect the spell already in place, he pushes one thought softly into Malachi's mind before leaving "could you remember to ask about the language of those marks and tattoos, please".
A moment later once he has finished testing little theories... With a heavy sigh Silas gives up on the moss but before he does he takes a dagger and scrapes a small clump of it into his mess tin, closing the lid and stowing it away in his back pack for later, this could be a useful tool and if not I'm pretty sure Samir could make use of it, he thinks.
Returning to the intersection where the group reside, Silas posts up against the wall of the tunnel listening to Malachi and also tending to his wounds, Silas begins a short rest, if no one stops him.
"Well We are of Razmus, and We are already here... But His chosen vessel will be arriving by boat, yes. Winds and currents depending, He is expected in about a month, once this land has been cleansed and prepared!"
Malachi:
The tendril begins to wrap itself around Lancet's head and snakes towards his temple
“From across the sea, how exotic! I have longed wanted to travel the oceans”Malachi puts his arm around Lancet’s shoulder like a long lost brother “That would explain the strange writing and the tattoos. What language is it anyway?”
Malachi pauses and considers the tunnels around them “This is a far way from the ocean. What must we do down here to prepare for his arrival? And why the rats?”
Confused, and a little apprehensive, Malachi tries to push back the tendril he feels reaching out from his mind. He has long been aware of a presence, but this was a new feeling and he was not sure what to expect as the tendril reached out to Lancet.
"Ah, the language of the tattoos are a divine gift from Razmus. They are in His very own tongue, and through the words written by the scriptors He can enact His mighty will!
To prepare for His arrival, we must clear the path for His march on the vile cult of the Blue Witch." Lancet spits to the side as he ends the sentence. "By the way, where are Marcus and Daniel. You haven't harmed them, have you?"
Malachi:
Malachi feels that the easiest way to stop the probing feeling in his mind would be to release his concentration, severing his influence over Lancet. His only other choice would be to withdraw the tendril through sheer force of will. (Charisma check DC 17)
Joren gently puts down the bound, unconscious form of Daniel down the the ground around the corner where Lancet hopefully cannot see him, making sure there's a strip of cloth gagging his mouth (cutting his own clothing or cloak if he needs to). He then summons his echo and readies a non-lethal greatsword attack from his echo's location just behind Lancet, that being the only way he knows how to subdue these cultists. He tenses at the mention of the "blue witch" but does not yet have his echo swing the sword, glancing at Marion. He is on a hair-trigger, waiting for a signal from any of his friends.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“I am sure Daniel and Marcus are fine, they have probably gone on ahead.” Malachi pats Lancet’s arm reassuringly “If Razmus is coming by boat, why these tunnels? Do they lead to the sea?”
Malachi is used to the feeling in his mind, however unsettling it can be at times, but is not sure what it wants with Lancet or what will happen to him if it connects. He tries to pull the tendril back from Lancet. Charisma: 23.
Ashley stands watching the two dance, hoping for more information, waiting for it to crumble. Malachi is indeed a good sorcerer, she could learn from him, she thinks. As the tension builds in the air as the tentative conversation continues, she is ready with her earthen grasp to crush the man again.
"They... take us where we need to be." Malachi realizes that while Lancet has been compelled to speak about Razmus, he seems reluctant to open up about other topics. Something else stands out to Malachi and everyone else listening. Lancet didn't correct Malachi when he said "from across the sea," but besides Skeald Rock not far off the coast to the south, the prevaliling understanding has been that nothing lies beyond the Amethyst Ocean.
And not for lack of looking. Silas, Malachi, and Samir know that several expeditions have gone out of Talmouth over the years, looking for a foreign landmass and new markets to trade with beyond the ocean, but the ships would always come back with nothing to tell for it, if they came back at all. In fact, Silas knows of one expedition that went out during his lifetime, just 7 years ago. the longest and most ambitious quest yet, they did not return for a long time. They were eventually presumed dead, until they turned back up a full 2 years later, barely recognizable for all that the grueling experience had changed them. Apparently when asked what they had found, they simply replied "A whole lot of ocean and a whole lot of hunger."
Malachi ties to draw back from Lancet, but the writhing feeling in his mind is too curious, too hungry, for Malachi to slow it. He can feel it beginning to reach into Lancet's head.
Then with a jerk, it quickly tries to withdraw. A moment later, Malachi feels a blinding flash of pain in the back of his skull, and another sensation that he is normally on the other side of. Something is using the connection to look into HIS mind. For a moment, all he can see is pair of massive eyes with vertical slits and a web of yellow veins looking back at him.
Make a Wisdom save DC 15
All of a sudden, everyone sees Malachi jolt and stiffen, a small gasp escaping his mouth. His knuckles have gone white where his hand grips Lancet's arm, and his head trembles.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Joren is not a deep enough thinker for his sense of non-lethal mercy to extend to messenger rats or even guardian rat-men (and he knows of no way to get information out of the rat). He looks fondly to Ashley, a bit puzzled, concluding that she is just a nicer person than he is. He responds verbally to her glance:
"Nicely done. Next - killing it, I think? Or I can be doing it if you prefer. Then listening for other squeakers. We cannot be taking a chance of them warning a larger group. If no more rats, then if you are having a rope, coming over here and tying this one up. I am losing my rope when my pack burned up earlier. We should be meeting back up with the group to decide what to do next - hoping they have captured the 2nd man..."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"Oh yes, kill it by all means! I just didn't want to miss it if I attacked it, so well, here we are." she gives him a shrug and a smile. As Joren takes care of the small rat, Ashley again pulls out the disgusting necklace and attempts to burn others in case there are more squeakers around by casting produce flame again. Joren can tell by the way she casts this spell that it is as natural to her as breathing as she focuses on the necklace and her hand does it's thing.
The rat wriggles and squirms under the bedroll, trying to claw and bites its way out with no avail.
Marion:
Marion closes her eyes and breathes deep. When she opens them again, she sees a strong, sickly yellow aura around Lancet, strongest where a rat necklace rests around his neck with just two large rat ears that look freshly harvested. That same yellow glow emanates from several pouches on Samir's person, which strikes Marion as concerning. Her divine sense had never shown her anything about items before. Only beings. She looks again at the knife, but it feels ordinary.
But there is another sensation. Marion reaches out, feeling deeper. There is... something... coming from Silas, Malachi, and Samir. She doesn't see it, but feels like she almost could. The sensation given off by each is slightly different, but each with a similar, familiar undertone. It almost feels like the touch of the Blue Lady herself.
Joren smiles to see Ashley in her element with the fire. He stows his greatsword and pulls out his two handaxes so that he can make two attacks with them having the light property. He counts down for her to remove the bedroll on 'go': "3... 2... 1... go!"
Handaxe 1: Attack: 9 Damage: 10
Handaxe 2 (off-hand, no damage bonus): Attack: 18 Damage: 3
(Attacking the rat lethally).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Samir stands by, watching as Malachi and the others set to dealing with the cultist. He keeps his bolt thrower ready but not trained on the man, not wanting to spoil whatever hold Malachi seems to have over him. He can hear Joren and Ashley down the hall doing something but it doesn't sound as if they are in trouble, judging by the lack of screams of anguish or death. The surge of adrenaline begins to slip away as he sags in place a bit, adjusting his glasses nervously.
The rat manages to snag a corner of the roll as Ashley tugs it away, getting pulled out of the path of Joren’s first chop, but his second axe strikes true and the rat falls in two pieces.
With the last of the ears burnt to a crisp, there is suddenly only silence and calm.
Ashley breathes a sigh of relief, rolls up her bedroll and sticks it back in her bag. "Shall we?" She asks Joren and she heads back to Marion and the rest to help out.
She sees the man she had in the earthen hand talking with Malachi, "Um, what is going on?"
Before she heads back, Joren asks Ashley for a rope and ties up the lead escapee that he had knocked out (Daniel the ratkeeper?) and tosses his bound, unconscious form over his shoulder. As he approaches the rest of the group behind Ashley, he hangs back a little, so the group notices him but hopefully Lancet (the second man) does not. He looks for the first man he had passed, apparently the boss (Marcus the scriptor?), hopefully tied up and unconscious. Trying to account for all cultist and cultist assets before he allows himself to relax a little.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Silas mills about a little, seemingly distracted, at forat he tries to find a felled enemy, preferably one of rat hybrid but any will do, once found he sticks a finger in a wound and opens his Book of Shadows letting single drop of his enemies blood be absorbed into the last page.
Once that is done he investigates the glowing moss down the left tunnel where Joren and Ashley have just arrived from, he breathes in a little of the gas as before to see if it has any adverse effects on him.
As she opens her eyes Marion immediately locks her eyes upon Samir, staring at the Half-Orc with a worried expression on her face.
After a moment she leans down and retrieves Lancet's knife, before moving to take up a position to keep guard, placing her back to the side of the corridor so she can watch both Lancet and the tunnel as the others question him. As she settles into a sentinel's stance, axe and shield held relaxed but ready, Marion focuses her attention on her surroundings, ready for sight or sound of any danger.
perception: 10
There have been too many surprises of late, and Marion is determined to be prepared for whatever happens next. She feels confident when her eyes and ears tell her there are no more immediate threats around for now. With no pressing danger, Marion instead tries to deduce information about their surroundings and situation.
The knife. She looks at it and turns it over in her hand. It seems well balanced and sharp, but more interestingly is the shape. The blade itself is wavy and sharp on both sides. It laso ends in a deadly point. Looking at the weapon, Marion realizes that the shape of the blade would make it a bit easier to slice through materials, and whether slashing or stabbing, would leave vicious wounds that were slower than usual to healed, even with medical aid or magic. (+1 damage and temporarily reduces max HP by half of the damage dealt).
She then turns her attention to her surroundings. She was not used to such environs, having spent most her life at the Lady's Keep. But if she thought it through, she should surely be able to make something of the information around her. The water dripping, and the partially formed stalactites made it clear this was a naturally formed part of the cave, surely from mountain run-off making its way to the west coast through underground channels. If that's the case, it may not necessarily be a straight shot to wherever Lancet and the others had been running, or to the tunnel that was supposedly being made out to the mines in Tensmouth. What's more, there could potentially be more than just rats and weird cultists down here. On the other hand, if they did find the right path, the caves could possibly lead them right to the heart of the evil she had sensed.
Then Marion notices Silas's, standing near the recently killed rat-man. In its stillness, she notices that it is missing both of its ears, one wound fresher than the other. If it was one of Jon's two unaccounted-for rat-men, that would explain it. The three newcomers could have removed the remaining ear from each of the two rat-men to regain control. As she looks on, she sees Silas quickly stoop over and touch the wound left by Joren before letting a drop of the blood fall into his book.
The page of Silas's book seems to swallow the drop eagerly. The red quickly seeps into the paper, becoming dry to the touch in a matter of seconds. Nothing more happens right away, so he heads off to examine the moss. He takes a small breathe and waits. Nothing happens. He breathes deep, letting the air fill his lungs. He can feel a sleepiness rise inside him, but his eyes itch and tingle and remains wide awake. As if he is unable to fall asleep. Or does it feel more like he isn't allowed to?
Malachi responds to Silas’ question with a shrug and a whisper “I am not sure how long it lasts, it doesn’t always work. When it does work, I rarely stay around long enough to see. I am usually heading in the other direction.” He pushes past and ignores the creeping sensation in the back of his mind as he turns his attention to Lancet.
Happy to see his companions start to regroup and relieved everyone is safe, Malachi moves around to try to prevent Lancet from seeing the bound captives. With an expression that says he is very interested in what Lancet has to say, he presses him for more information on Razmus. “What, not welcome? I am no outsider. Surely Razmus welcomes all. We must do our best to impress before he arrives on these shores. He is coming by boat, then? When will he arrive, do you think?”
Silas nods at Malachi's response, he feels he is getting a better understanding of the elf, he then let's Malachi continue. Trying to be careful to not say anything himself, as to not effect the spell already in place, he pushes one thought softly into Malachi's mind before leaving "could you remember to ask about the language of those marks and tattoos, please".
A moment later once he has finished testing little theories... With a heavy sigh Silas gives up on the moss but before he does he takes a dagger and scrapes a small clump of it into his mess tin, closing the lid and stowing it away in his back pack for later, this could be a useful tool and if not I'm pretty sure Samir could make use of it, he thinks.
Returning to the intersection where the group reside, Silas posts up against the wall of the tunnel listening to Malachi and also tending to his wounds, Silas begins a short rest, if no one stops him.
"Well We are of Razmus, and We are already here... But His chosen vessel will be arriving by boat, yes. Winds and currents depending, He is expected in about a month, once this land has been cleansed and prepared!"
Malachi:
The tendril begins to wrap itself around Lancet's head and snakes towards his temple
“From across the sea, how exotic! I have longed wanted to travel the oceans” Malachi puts his arm around Lancet’s shoulder like a long lost brother “That would explain the strange writing and the tattoos. What language is it anyway?”
Malachi pauses and considers the tunnels around them “This is a far way from the ocean. What must we do down here to prepare for his arrival? And why the rats?”
Confused, and a little apprehensive, Malachi tries to push back the tendril he feels reaching out from his mind. He has long been aware of a presence, but this was a new feeling and he was not sure what to expect as the tendril reached out to Lancet.
"Ah, the language of the tattoos are a divine gift from Razmus. They are in His very own tongue, and through the words written by the scriptors He can enact His mighty will!
To prepare for His arrival, we must clear the path for His march on the vile cult of the Blue Witch." Lancet spits to the side as he ends the sentence. "By the way, where are Marcus and Daniel. You haven't harmed them, have you?"
Malachi:
Malachi feels that the easiest way to stop the probing feeling in his mind would be to release his concentration, severing his influence over Lancet. His only other choice would be to withdraw the tendril through sheer force of will. (Charisma check DC 17)
Joren gently puts down the bound, unconscious form of Daniel down the the ground around the corner where Lancet hopefully cannot see him, making sure there's a strip of cloth gagging his mouth (cutting his own clothing or cloak if he needs to). He then summons his echo and readies a non-lethal greatsword attack from his echo's location just behind Lancet, that being the only way he knows how to subdue these cultists. He tenses at the mention of the "blue witch" but does not yet have his echo swing the sword, glancing at Marion. He is on a hair-trigger, waiting for a signal from any of his friends.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest
Dyson/Eleo(Cleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(Druid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(Sorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(Monk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(Cleric3/Sorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
“I am sure Daniel and Marcus are fine, they have probably gone on ahead.” Malachi pats Lancet’s arm reassuringly “If Razmus is coming by boat, why these tunnels? Do they lead to the sea?”
Malachi is used to the feeling in his mind, however unsettling it can be at times, but is not sure what it wants with Lancet or what will happen to him if it connects. He tries to pull the tendril back from Lancet. Charisma: 23.
Ashley stands watching the two dance, hoping for more information, waiting for it to crumble. Malachi is indeed a good sorcerer, she could learn from him, she thinks. As the tension builds in the air as the tentative conversation continues, she is ready with her earthen grasp to crush the man again.
"They... take us where we need to be." Malachi realizes that while Lancet has been compelled to speak about Razmus, he seems reluctant to open up about other topics. Something else stands out to Malachi and everyone else listening. Lancet didn't correct Malachi when he said "from across the sea," but besides Skeald Rock not far off the coast to the south, the prevaliling understanding has been that nothing lies beyond the Amethyst Ocean.
And not for lack of looking. Silas, Malachi, and Samir know that several expeditions have gone out of Talmouth over the years, looking for a foreign landmass and new markets to trade with beyond the ocean, but the ships would always come back with nothing to tell for it, if they came back at all. In fact, Silas knows of one expedition that went out during his lifetime, just 7 years ago. the longest and most ambitious quest yet, they did not return for a long time. They were eventually presumed dead, until they turned back up a full 2 years later, barely recognizable for all that the grueling experience had changed them. Apparently when asked what they had found, they simply replied "A whole lot of ocean and a whole lot of hunger."
Malachi ties to draw back from Lancet, but the writhing feeling in his mind is too curious, too hungry, for Malachi to slow it. He can feel it beginning to reach into Lancet's head.
Then with a jerk, it quickly tries to withdraw. A moment later, Malachi feels a blinding flash of pain in the back of his skull, and another sensation that he is normally on the other side of. Something is using the connection to look into HIS mind. For a moment, all he can see is pair of massive eyes with vertical slits and a web of yellow veins looking back at him.
Make a Wisdom save DC 15
All of a sudden, everyone sees Malachi jolt and stiffen, a small gasp escaping his mouth. His knuckles have gone white where his hand grips Lancet's arm, and his head trembles.