Kellen

Kellen eyes the carcass warily as the orbs of light coalesce into one behind him. Yeah…sure thing he mutters, hardly paying attention to Kei. He mutters to himself, Is it over? Really? He seems reluctant to get any nearer to the creature.

In the dark, submerged tunnel, the trio gingerly studies the dead creature's torn form.

Gerrard's skin has become fully translucent and slimy; his worrisome transformation has in no way been reversed by the death of this thing. 

All is quiet. The tunnel continues west as far as their vision allows here. The occupied cavern Gerrard and Kei saw briefly was clearly an illusion.

Gerrard:

"Let us hope this condition is reversible," says Gerrard, indicating his slimy skin.  "And perhaps there are additional clues further down this tunnel.  Shall we continue?" he adds as he pushes the carcass to the bottom of the tunnel so those not afflicted by its touch are able to get past without touching it.

He turns back to the new arrival and says more pointedly, "Who are you?  I appreciate your help, but we have more than enough enemies here, and I would know your intentions."

Kellen

Kellen breaks out of his stupor, shaking his head to clear it. He looks over Gerrard's translucent skin, glances at Kei, and shakes his head. Just wanted to make sure that...thing was dead. And if you want to go to Landgrave's Folly, there are a lot better ways then a dark, twisty tunnel with who knows what inside of it. He starts swimming back up to the surface of the pool. He glances back to Gerrard, Oh, and you're going to want to get that taken care of...I can take care of cuts and scrapes, but that one's beyond me. He continues on.

Gerrard:

”Understood,” replies  Gerrard briefly as the unnamed citizen swam away.  Turning to Kei, he says, “Before we return to the surface, I’d like to see if there is anything else we can learn here.  Care to join me?”

The young noble, now possessed of a debilitating skin condition, holds his glowing rapier above his head and moves past the Aboleth corpse further down the hallway.

Kei 

The sideways glance and head shake are not lost on Kei. Without verbalising his response Kei simply falls into step (stroke) with Gerrard as he starts off down the tunnel. "That one is a little odd" he says once the stranger is well out of range. "No one has wanted to save this city until we came along and then right when we need help a stranger appears, helps kill that thing and then swims away. Odd I tell you." He continues along beside his friend.

The submerged tunnel continues due west, with no change in its design or appearance. (How far do you wish to explore in that direction?) The stonework looks ancient, but well-built.

Kellen

Looking back, then doing a double take when he sees that the two idiots meant to continue down the tunnel, he has a brief mental argument before swimming back towards them. Are you seriously going to swim down the dark death tunnel with a skin disease and without resting? After I told you there’s a better way?

Gerrard:

Moving along, Gerrard looks for an outlet to the sea or some other exit—or maybe even a lair!  After five minutes or so of swimming along the tunnel, Gerrard says, “How far do you think we should go?  And what are the two threats the Aboleth mentioned?”

Gerrard tries to orient himself with respect to the tunnel direction and the city—were they headed out to sea, deeper into the city, or perhaps somewhere else?

Intelligence:  8

Gerrard:

Belatedly seeing the newcomer come back, Gerrard says, “Ah, welcome back.  Who are you?”

Kellen

Call me Kellen, and I’ve been in this place for gods knows how many months doing the bidding of that blasted abomination we just killed. So I’m trying to express my gratitude in saving you from continuing down this tunnel to gods knows what, unless you truly do have a death wish.

Gerrard:

”Greetings, Master Kellen, and thank you for your aid.  We are glad you are now free from the abomination,” says Gerrard with some small grace.

To Kei, he says, “May I assume that this ‘Landgrave’s Folly’ is an actual place?  I thought it was merely an expression for drowning when Master Kellen spoke of it earlier.”

Kei 

When the newcomer, Kellen, approaches Kei finally acknowledges him. "Really? Why the change of heart then?" he asks. Without waiting for a response Kei continues talking with Gerrard, answering his question, "Yes, it's a real place. A landmark of sorts." Kei chuckles at Gerrards interpretation of Kellens earlier words. "As for the threats" he returns the conversation back to Gerrard's earlier question, "the creatures name was Sgothgah and it warned me of two other entities who are apparently seeking to destroy the world, Nhatharaq and Yalathrok. Given Sgothgah's nature I'm tempted to say they might be our saviours. Who knows though."

Gerrard

Turning to Kellen, Gerrard says, “My apologies for the misunderstanding, Master Kellen.  Have you been down this tunnel, then?  Do you know where it leads or if the Aboleth had a lair nearby?”

Gerrard tries to get a sense of this new arrival is trying to manipulate him, or if he is being honest about his situation and earnestly wants to help. (insight:  4 )

Kellen

Kellen ponders Kei for a he says, turning back towards Gerrard and eyeing the tunnel warily. moment, then looks down at his sleeve that had a new tear in it, Right place at the right time I suppose...I got caught by a stray dagger, just enough to awaken me he says as the cloth fuses back together under his fingers. I assumed I had you to thank for that, and nobody else was trying to kill it so I figured I'd better help.

No, I haven't been down the tunnel he says, turning back towards Gerrard and eyeing the tunnel warily. But I do know it leads to Landgrave's Folly. This was the Whisperer's lair...so what it has in the Folly, I have no idea. He shudders a bit and then looks both of them in the eye in turn. Look, I don't know who you guys are, or why you came here to kill the Whisperer. I do know that if you hadn't, I'd still be working for it. I always repay my debts, so if you're really wanting to check out whatever is at the Folly I'll help you. But I would prefer making a plan of attack, getting a boat, and approaching it from above, instead of swimming blindly into whatever's at the other end of the tunnel.

The five minutes of further exploration leads to nothing but more submerged tunnel - no side passages, no change in stonework or temperature, no lights nor sounds. Gerrard has a rough idea that the ocean – or at least the bay they arrived in – lies somewhere in the direction they are headed, but how far, he has no real sense. The tunnel descends gradually – a very gentle downward grade.

Meanwhile, the conversations continue underwater in the gloomy subterranean tube. 

Kei 

So this Kellen must be from the Styes if he knows of the Folly Kei remarks internally as he listens to the half-elf. "Hmm. You seem to know about the Styes, yet I've never met you before. Strange" he states, pausing as if waiting for an answer to a question not asked. He continues without further hesitation, "Regardless, I know how you feel having been forced to do things unwillingly. Your plan sounds fair. This tunnel must go for miles if it does indeed end at the Folly, plus you are right, better to come from above." He turns to Gerrard, "We should head back and regroup. See about your...condition and then tackle what lies in the depths of Landgraves Folly." His demeanour towards Kellen softening a little.

During the return trip Kei tells Gerrard the tale of Bryson Landgrave.

Gerrard:

”Fair enough,” says Gerrard, suddenly acutely aware of his illness again.  “I’m glad to have the heavy cloak,” he adds as they swim back.

Kellen

Well I’ve never seen you either…I like to run in the kind of circles that ah…escape notice most of the time. Kellen makes a mental note to ask around about the one that keeps side eyeing him, and sighs in relief when they turn to head back to the surface. Like I said, reversing that is above me, but you should be able to find a healer that can take care of it. Upon reaching the surface, Kellen tops off his water skin, and looks around for any other vessels that could carry water with them.

investigation 11

The water they swim in is foul - it maintains a sliminess to it that feels unhealthy. Kellen finds nothing immediately accessible that would allow him to carry any additional water.

They return to the empty temple. The cavernous room smells of decaying fish and seaweed. The walls, floor, and ceiling are covered with carvings of complex spirals and smeared with blood, and the floor is freshly blood-streaked and filthy. The dead shark, covered in severed heads in various stages of decomposition, remains motionless. This dark altar remains unoccupied – no cultists have returned since you left.