Rather than inching along the rope like the others before him, Vilus lowers himself into the water to use the rope to pull himself through the water hand-over-hand. The chill of it nearly takes his breath away, and he can feel no bottom under his feet. His broad Goliath arms start make quick work of the distance, however, and his passage is the swiftest of anyone yet, save for Joren.
Halfway across, he feels a light sensation through the toes of his boot. Then again on the back of his leg. It happens again and again, and panic starts to creep in. The dark water defies his attempts to see beyond its rippling surface, but a bulge in the water in front of him, followed by that same feeling on a part of his arm just barely submerged brings him an explanation: More of the fish they had seen before appear to be nibbling harmlessly at him. It almost tickles. After all they had been through, the apparent peacefulness of these unknown fish is little reassurance, but soon enough Vilus reaches the other side and pulls himself up onto the ledge without issue.
Finding himself unharmed he gives the thumbs up to the others that are yet to cross, "maybe take your shoes off, either way the fish seem friendly enough" he wrings out some of his more soaked clothing and takes a seat to watch the rest cross. Vilus seems more positive and cheery than usual, the rest period apparently having had an effect on the man, his face however still betrays dark circles and the wear of his lack of actual sleep.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ashley watches as her friends each make it safely across, one by one till she is the last one on the side. Unsure of which way to get across the water, she did notice how Vilus brought in a sharp intake of air that must have been due to the cold of the water when he entered. Looking at her naturally heated skin, she’s a bit concerned it would be worse for her, so she decides to try the way Mal and Samir went across
Securing her pack and trying to make sure she is balanced, she straddles the rope and slowly tries to make her way across the underground body of water.
During this time, Marion keeps an eye on the tunnel behind them, torch in hand, trying to figure out how she is going to get across while making sure no surprises try sneaking up on them. Her heavy armour might make climbing across tricky, and she certainly doesn't want to be at the water's mercy while weighed down like that. Not to mention the rust.
Ashley starts across the rope, but very quickly finds herself starting to lose balance. Marion notices the jerking of the rope and a shuffling sound and turns to see Ashley hanging under the rope by her hands and knees, trying to keep up out of the water. "Hang on! I have an idea!" She calls out. She reaches out to the water with her free hand and utters a quick prayer. Her breath becomes visible as the water hardens before her, and in a second, a 15 foot cone-shaped sheet of ice floats before her. She crawls through the hole and onto the sheet of ice, which bobs under her weight. With one hand, she grabs onto the rope for balance, and with the other she pulls a carefully folded, well-kept banner from her pack and unfolds it atop the ice. The blue insignia of her order is clearly emblazoned upon it. She then starts to draw her ice float across the water until the still-hanging Ashley is directly above the banner. Ashley realizes that Marion had laid it out specifically for her, out of consideration for her warmer constitution and apparent aversion to the cold, so she wouldn't be directly on the ice.
Touching down atop the float, Ashley is able to assist Marion in pulling themselves the rest of the way across the water, and they make it up the far bank even as the ice begins to crack and crumble into smaller chunks.
Malachi bends down and helps Ashley and Marion scramble up the bank. Once everyone is assembled on the far shore, he nods at Joren “Yes, these tracks could be part of the mines. But remember, Razmus followers were tunneling here as well with their ratmen. This could very well be one of their tunnels. In that case, one way would lead back toward Talmouth and the other toward Tensmith. But which way should we go?”He looks toward the others.
Malachi makes sure his rat necklace is displayed and the tattoo on his forehead was visible, prepared to play the role of a cultist if necessary.
Joren looks at Malachi and realizes the half-elf may well be right about this being a Razmus cultist tunnel. "Choosing which way - I am not sure. Vilus, are you having better contacts in Talmouth? Letting them know about the naval force descending on them? Or being more important, is it, to ask Tensmith to be reopening he mines? Both cities are needing to know about the imminent threat from the monsters from the chasm and spire."
He uses his echo to briefly swap back to the original side of the water, removing the pitons and untying the rope before swapping back, pulling the rope in across the water and handing it back to Ashley and the pitons and hammer back to Vilus.
Taking his equipment back and packing it away Vilus weighs up the options, answering Joren with an air of honesty, "having come from the west to wherever we are now, the left tunnel must go further south than the right, right? so if Tensmith and Talmouth truly are at the end of each of these branches... I'd say Talmouth is left and Tensmith right, does that sound like a reasonable deduction Samir?... As for where we should go, I've sent word to Talmouth already, even the ones in my order who don't like me cannot ignore such a grave threat envisioned by their speaker, they can be stubborn but they are not stupid, and so I would consider Talmouth warned. A fight will likely ensue and with good time, we could possibly make it there after Tensmith mine.
I think our attentions should be better served stopping whatever cult shit is going on in Tensmith.. there's a possibility that whatever ritual they may be performing or whatever access they may be providing to this Apogee, if we stop it, then we could weaken or tactically disrupt the invading force, I think that's worth it. So that's where my vote lies... besides I can give Malachi some help too" with that he holds his breath and his visage becomes that of one of the cultists that was killed in the tunnels under the 'opportunity knocks' Inn, if not a slightly larger version.
"Thank you Malachi and Marion! Whew, I'm glad to be across that freezing water!" Ashley listens to Vilus's reasoning, "Not only that, it was our original plan, and typically unless there is a large reason to divert, it is good to stick with ones original plan. And can we get moving then? The sooner we are out of these tunnels the better! I'm hoping this railway means we are close. And also that we don't run into any of them..." She sees Vilus change, "Um... I liked you better as a goliath. This does not suit you."
Vilus's head turns into a sea of teeth and winding worm like tentacles mimicking that of the large cave worm that had previously chased the group, "it's better than this, but this could also be a great scare tactic" he chuckles before his form returns to normal and he gives the nod of affirmation to the question of moving.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Malachi gives a grimace as Vilus takes on the partial appearance of one of the worms. “No thank you. I could do without seeing that again, ever.”
He turns to the others and shake his head “I can’t believe I am saying this, but I agree. Talmouth is already warned and our original goal was Tensmith. Let’s continue on and see if we can disrupt their plans.To the right then?” Malachi moves down the tunnel to the right, looking ahead for any sign of threats or evidence of recent use. Perception: 6.
The group moves on, feeling pretty sure their bearing is north-ish. The only light is their own, and as they move out of the aquifer and the tunnel walls close in around them once more, Marion's torch and Samir's light create long jagged shadows on the rough, recently-mined walls.
From what Malachi recalls he surmises that the two rat-men they had fought alongside the three cultists were the ones that had previously been dedicated to building this tunnel to try to connect with the mines. There was perhaps an implication that there had been others working on the tunnel before them, but it sounds like they were earlier prototypes that had a short lifespan. Hopefully that would mean there was no resistance ahead, but Malachi hardly feels confident in that conclusion.
The walk continues for hours. The longest they had gone without encountering hostile life since they had come into these tunnels. They stop to consume some rations at one point. Then more time slips by. The quiet and calm only serves to heighten the anticipation. With each minute that passes, it seems more and more certain that surely something must happen soon.
Feet get sore, legs ache, and noses get irritated by the dry, dusty air. Then there is a low rumble and a faint tremble in the ground. A few specks of dirt tumble from the ceiling.
"Knowing what that is, anyone? Enemy? Mining charge? Earthquake? Cave-in? Perhaps another cultist meeting a fate they are deserving. Not another one of those giant crawlers or fliers, I am hoping... being all but eaten once was enough."
Whatever it was, it was powerful, and it was over quickly. Joren places his fingers on the wall to feel for any more tremors, and in so doing notices a vein of silver running through it. This all but confirms Joren's suspicions that they had just experienced the shock from some sort of mining charge. It was far off, but they must be getting closer to Tensmith.
"I am seeing veins of silver here. Nearing Tensmith then? The more I am thinking about it, the more I am guessing that was indeed a mining charge."
Joren takes a breath. "But am I confusing things? I was thinking Tensmith had closed down their mining. And the Razmus cultists were trying to keep it closed. Have they begun mining again, then? If so, all the more reason we are needing to tell them of those deadly horrors in the chasm and spire!"
"That was a mine blast?! Well.. at least we aren't in immediate danger, so that's good. Surprising to be honest. But you're right, Joren, can you imagine if these blasts woke those creatures and brought them topside??" She looks over at Vilus, "Don't ever look like that again... sheesh, what are you trying to do to us! What a sense of humor!" she says with a smile.
"Hopefully this means we are close! Man, it will feel soo good to breathe fresh air!"
Malachi frowns as he tries to remember the contents of the letter they found back in the basement of the inn. Right now it seems so very long ago and so very far away. “I am not sure, Joren, but I think they closed off access to the city, keeping people from moving in and out, not stopping the mining altogether.” He looks at the others “That could mean we will be viewed with suspicion by anyone that finds us down here, cultist or miner. We should be on our guard.”
He makes a covetous look at a vein of silver running through the wall, briefly considering how he could use his dagger to pry out pieces. He dismisses the thought, wanting to be a little more discreet in front of his companions. “Remember too, if this is the cultist tunnel then they had not yet linked to the mines. This may end in a dead end. Sorry, Ashley”
After another ten minutes or so of walking, the tracks come to an end. 3 Large but crude rail carts sit there, one half full of rock, and the others empty. Beyond that, the walls of the tunnel get quite rough and narrow. Loose stone is strewn all about. It looks like this is where the rat-men had been digging until they were interrupted by the destruction of Jon's necklace.
Then there is another boom. It sounds like the heavens being split open right before the group it is so loud. Buried within the explosion is the tumult of crumbling rock. dust and flakes of stone shower down around them as the ground nearly bucks them from their feet.
Then the dust settles and they hear voices. Muffled, but near. "Clear! Load 'er up," Calls out a gravelly voice. Footsteps and rocky clunks ensue.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As they come to the deadend, Ashley's eyes well up with tears. "Mal, it looks like your assumption was right. You're brighter than you give yourself credit... dammit. Now what? Do we try to squeeze through or turn ar..." the boom stops her in her sentence, she covers her head and ducks down as the flakes of stone and dust settle around them. Hearing voices, she perks up, "do you think??" she is afraid to hope..
Perception 8
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Rather than inching along the rope like the others before him, Vilus lowers himself into the water to use the rope to pull himself through the water hand-over-hand. The chill of it nearly takes his breath away, and he can feel no bottom under his feet. His broad Goliath arms start make quick work of the distance, however, and his passage is the swiftest of anyone yet, save for Joren.
Halfway across, he feels a light sensation through the toes of his boot. Then again on the back of his leg. It happens again and again, and panic starts to creep in. The dark water defies his attempts to see beyond its rippling surface, but a bulge in the water in front of him, followed by that same feeling on a part of his arm just barely submerged brings him an explanation: More of the fish they had seen before appear to be nibbling harmlessly at him. It almost tickles. After all they had been through, the apparent peacefulness of these unknown fish is little reassurance, but soon enough Vilus reaches the other side and pulls himself up onto the ledge without issue.
Finding himself unharmed he gives the thumbs up to the others that are yet to cross, "maybe take your shoes off, either way the fish seem friendly enough" he wrings out some of his more soaked clothing and takes a seat to watch the rest cross. Vilus seems more positive and cheery than usual, the rest period apparently having had an effect on the man, his face however still betrays dark circles and the wear of his lack of actual sleep.
Ashley watches as her friends each make it safely across, one by one till she is the last one on the side. Unsure of which way to get across the water, she did notice how Vilus brought in a sharp intake of air that must have been due to the cold of the water when he entered. Looking at her naturally heated skin, she’s a bit concerned it would be worse for her, so she decides to try the way Mal and Samir went across
Securing her pack and trying to make sure she is balanced, she straddles the rope and slowly tries to make her way across the underground body of water.
Acrobatics 14
During this time, Marion keeps an eye on the tunnel behind them, torch in hand, trying to figure out how she is going to get across while making sure no surprises try sneaking up on them. Her heavy armour might make climbing across tricky, and she certainly doesn't want to be at the water's mercy while weighed down like that. Not to mention the rust.
Ashley starts across the rope, but very quickly finds herself starting to lose balance. Marion notices the jerking of the rope and a shuffling sound and turns to see Ashley hanging under the rope by her hands and knees, trying to keep up out of the water. "Hang on! I have an idea!" She calls out. She reaches out to the water with her free hand and utters a quick prayer. Her breath becomes visible as the water hardens before her, and in a second, a 15 foot cone-shaped sheet of ice floats before her. She crawls through the hole and onto the sheet of ice, which bobs under her weight. With one hand, she grabs onto the rope for balance, and with the other she pulls a carefully folded, well-kept banner from her pack and unfolds it atop the ice. The blue insignia of her order is clearly emblazoned upon it. She then starts to draw her ice float across the water until the still-hanging Ashley is directly above the banner. Ashley realizes that Marion had laid it out specifically for her, out of consideration for her warmer constitution and apparent aversion to the cold, so she wouldn't be directly on the ice.
Touching down atop the float, Ashley is able to assist Marion in pulling themselves the rest of the way across the water, and they make it up the far bank even as the ice begins to crack and crumble into smaller chunks.
(Marion cast Frost Fingers)
Malachi bends down and helps Ashley and Marion scramble up the bank. Once everyone is assembled on the far shore, he nods at Joren “Yes, these tracks could be part of the mines. But remember, Razmus followers were tunneling here as well with their ratmen. This could very well be one of their tunnels. In that case, one way would lead back toward Talmouth and the other toward Tensmith. But which way should we go?” He looks toward the others.
Malachi makes sure his rat necklace is displayed and the tattoo on his forehead was visible, prepared to play the role of a cultist if necessary.
Joren looks at Malachi and realizes the half-elf may well be right about this being a Razmus cultist tunnel. "Choosing which way - I am not sure. Vilus, are you having better contacts in Talmouth? Letting them know about the naval force descending on them? Or being more important, is it, to ask Tensmith to be reopening he mines? Both cities are needing to know about the imminent threat from the monsters from the chasm and spire."
He uses his echo to briefly swap back to the original side of the water, removing the pitons and untying the rope before swapping back, pulling the rope in across the water and handing it back to Ashley and the pitons and hammer back to Vilus.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Taking his equipment back and packing it away Vilus weighs up the options, answering Joren with an air of honesty, "having come from the west to wherever we are now, the left tunnel must go further south than the right, right? so if Tensmith and Talmouth truly are at the end of each of these branches... I'd say Talmouth is left and Tensmith right, does that sound like a reasonable deduction Samir?... As for where we should go, I've sent word to Talmouth already, even the ones in my order who don't like me cannot ignore such a grave threat envisioned by their speaker, they can be stubborn but they are not stupid, and so I would consider Talmouth warned. A fight will likely ensue and with good time, we could possibly make it there after Tensmith mine.
I think our attentions should be better served stopping whatever cult shit is going on in Tensmith.. there's a possibility that whatever ritual they may be performing or whatever access they may be providing to this Apogee, if we stop it, then we could weaken or tactically disrupt the invading force, I think that's worth it. So that's where my vote lies... besides I can give Malachi some help too" with that he holds his breath and his visage becomes that of one of the cultists that was killed in the tunnels under the 'opportunity knocks' Inn, if not a slightly larger version.
"Thank you Malachi and Marion! Whew, I'm glad to be across that freezing water!" Ashley listens to Vilus's reasoning, "Not only that, it was our original plan, and typically unless there is a large reason to divert, it is good to stick with ones original plan. And can we get moving then? The sooner we are out of these tunnels the better! I'm hoping this railway means we are close. And also that we don't run into any of them..." She sees Vilus change, "Um... I liked you better as a goliath. This does not suit you."
Vilus's head turns into a sea of teeth and winding worm like tentacles mimicking that of the large cave worm that had previously chased the group, "it's better than this, but this could also be a great scare tactic" he chuckles before his form returns to normal and he gives the nod of affirmation to the question of moving.
Malachi gives a grimace as Vilus takes on the partial appearance of one of the worms. “No thank you. I could do without seeing that again, ever.”
He turns to the others and shake his head “I can’t believe I am saying this, but I agree. Talmouth is already warned and our original goal was Tensmith. Let’s continue on and see if we can disrupt their plans.To the right then?” Malachi moves down the tunnel to the right, looking ahead for any sign of threats or evidence of recent use. Perception: 6.
.
The group moves on, feeling pretty sure their bearing is north-ish. The only light is their own, and as they move out of the aquifer and the tunnel walls close in around them once more, Marion's torch and Samir's light create long jagged shadows on the rough, recently-mined walls.
From what Malachi recalls he surmises that the two rat-men they had fought alongside the three cultists were the ones that had previously been dedicated to building this tunnel to try to connect with the mines. There was perhaps an implication that there had been others working on the tunnel before them, but it sounds like they were earlier prototypes that had a short lifespan. Hopefully that would mean there was no resistance ahead, but Malachi hardly feels confident in that conclusion.
The walk continues for hours. The longest they had gone without encountering hostile life since they had come into these tunnels. They stop to consume some rations at one point. Then more time slips by. The quiet and calm only serves to heighten the anticipation. With each minute that passes, it seems more and more certain that surely something must happen soon.
Feet get sore, legs ache, and noses get irritated by the dry, dusty air. Then there is a low rumble and a faint tremble in the ground. A few specks of dirt tumble from the ceiling.
Having lost his pack during Jon Shep's explosive death, Joren is slightly embarrassed to have to beg a ration from one of his friends.
When the ground trembles and dirt specks fall, he summons his echo and listens, trying to feel the bones of the earth as his father would.
Perception: 14
"Knowing what that is, anyone? Enemy? Mining charge? Earthquake? Cave-in? Perhaps another cultist meeting a fate they are deserving. Not another one of those giant crawlers or fliers, I am hoping... being all but eaten once was enough."
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Whatever it was, it was powerful, and it was over quickly. Joren places his fingers on the wall to feel for any more tremors, and in so doing notices a vein of silver running through it. This all but confirms Joren's suspicions that they had just experienced the shock from some sort of mining charge. It was far off, but they must be getting closer to Tensmith.
"I am seeing veins of silver here. Nearing Tensmith then? The more I am thinking about it, the more I am guessing that was indeed a mining charge."
Joren takes a breath. "But am I confusing things? I was thinking Tensmith had closed down their mining. And the Razmus cultists were trying to keep it closed. Have they begun mining again, then? If so, all the more reason we are needing to tell them of those deadly horrors in the chasm and spire!"
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
"That was a mine blast?! Well.. at least we aren't in immediate danger, so that's good. Surprising to be honest. But you're right, Joren, can you imagine if these blasts woke those creatures and brought them topside??" She looks over at Vilus, "Don't ever look like that again... sheesh, what are you trying to do to us! What a sense of humor!" she says with a smile.
"Hopefully this means we are close! Man, it will feel soo good to breathe fresh air!"
Malachi frowns as he tries to remember the contents of the letter they found back in the basement of the inn. Right now it seems so very long ago and so very far away. “I am not sure, Joren, but I think they closed off access to the city, keeping people from moving in and out, not stopping the mining altogether.” He looks at the others “That could mean we will be viewed with suspicion by anyone that finds us down here, cultist or miner. We should be on our guard.”
He makes a covetous look at a vein of silver running through the wall, briefly considering how he could use his dagger to pry out pieces. He dismisses the thought, wanting to be a little more discreet in front of his companions. “Remember too, if this is the cultist tunnel then they had not yet linked to the mines. This may end in a dead end. Sorry, Ashley”
"It definitely seems as if Tensmith is close... I can only imagine that sound was part of a mining operation."
Samir's demeanor has continued to remain quiet throughout the long walk, the oppression of being underground for so long wearing on him.
"I can only think that putting a stop to whatever is happening at the mines will be a net positive for everyone."
After another ten minutes or so of walking, the tracks come to an end. 3 Large but crude rail carts sit there, one half full of rock, and the others empty. Beyond that, the walls of the tunnel get quite rough and narrow. Loose stone is strewn all about. It looks like this is where the rat-men had been digging until they were interrupted by the destruction of Jon's necklace.
Then there is another boom. It sounds like the heavens being split open right before the group it is so loud. Buried within the explosion is the tumult of crumbling rock. dust and flakes of stone shower down around them as the ground nearly bucks them from their feet.
Then the dust settles and they hear voices. Muffled, but near. "Clear! Load 'er up," Calls out a gravelly voice. Footsteps and rocky clunks ensue.
(Make a perception check)
(Vilus perception 20)
As they come to the deadend, Ashley's eyes well up with tears. "Mal, it looks like your assumption was right. You're brighter than you give yourself credit... dammit. Now what? Do we try to squeeze through or turn ar..." the boom stops her in her sentence, she covers her head and ducks down as the flakes of stone and dust settle around them. Hearing voices, she perks up, "do you think??" she is afraid to hope..
Perception 8