Shadowthorn's Princes of the Apocalypse

Marros, still a little awe struck, follows the group with a slight spring in his step. The efficacy of this group has impressed him. As he sets off he draws his scimitar. Might have to practice a little if I'm to travel with these guys. A broad smile crosses his face at the thought. This should be fun.

(Just to be clear—what are you doing with the alleged cultist?)

Between Rubin’s cold logic, Mr. Tyde’s saying his heart not being in it and Xanranzan's trauma, Kethra sighs quietly and snaps the last surviving cloaked man's neck, quietly killing him. She grabs Marros' shoulder as he passes by.

"Hey newbie. Sorry to dampen your excitement, but you're in clean up duty with me."

Picking up the lit torch from earlier, Kethra looks for some loose rocks from earlier...

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

Nothing else other than some loose rocks.

 ...places the bodies underneath them, then uses a javelin to pry them out of the wall and bury them. A few moments later, a white cloaked Kethra joins the back of the lineup going down the stairs.

(Just making sure the bodies are out of the way before we move on. If any rolls need to be made, Kethra will ask for Marros to help if at all possible.)

The staircase leads down further and further, until it flattens out into a corridor.  This corridor seems to be dwarven in its architecture, and reminds you of the other set of caverns you found beneath Rivergard keep.

The carved reliefs of two dwarves face one another in profile to complete an arch beyond the ledge. Through the arch, the blocky contours of a lost dwarven city sprawl in the subterranean night. From somewhere within comes an agonized wail, followed by a breathless ramble of whimpering pleas. Then the whole city seems to join the chorus with the screams of creatures mad from torment.

Xanranzan lets out a long whistle at the sight of the city. At least he was going to, but wound up sputtering partway in trying to catch himself from making too much noise. But then, looking between the light and given all the wailing, he smirks and shakes his head. "Eh, uh... yea. I mean, mines as well, right? Could be more folk that they've been feeding to the bird's atop, I guess, maybe... Or those folk atop were like, tomb raiders, or somethin. Tho.... man, I dunno. This whole situation is kinda weird. But, I'm fine with pressing on further inside. 

As Marros catches up to the leading members, having helped the cloaked warrior woman, he stumbles to a stop. Mouth agape at the subterranean city he catches himself about to curse. The wailing and other audible cries give him clarity of the situation. "We cannot leave these people here. They cry out for our help. As a Warrior of Light I must help them." He pays no heed to the others and begins to walk towards the nearest whimper he can hear. Cautiously it would appear, but he is actually taking deliberate steps to allow others to catch up to him.

"To the yells then." Rubin says with a nod, letting the warrior of light lead the way.

(Is Pass Without Trace still on?)

"Wait!"

The sound of a torch being doused from behind was quickly followed by a slightly cold hand grabbing the Sailor's own. The cloaked girl who owns this hand, gestures the party to move together.

She starts singing softly a half-whispered song that she remembers was about sailors and not freaking out when things go bad. It's quiet but enough to be heard up close, momentarily detracting from the ever increasing wails of sorrow echoing around them.

"When my sails have all been torn

In the suffering, in the sorrow

When my sinking hopes are few

I will hold fast to the anchor

It shall never be removed."

She paused for a moment, smiles and stares at each one from the party individually, ending at Marros who she immediately punches with her free hand.

To-hit: 11 Damage: The punch itself isn't necessarily meant to damage, but to knock him slowly off-balance so he's forced to steady himself instead of getting ready to sprint. She lets him go after.

"I'm sorry newbie, but we need to BE CAREFUL. For all we know the wails out there could be the wails of the undead. If this is being controlled by a cult, those weirdos always seem to have undead as their line of defense wherever they make an underground settlement."

"I'm glad you have a heart for doing good. I really am. But the cults here sincerely believe they are doing a good thing too! That by destroying this world, they can make a new one. But they have lost their way because ending the world to make things better for them and them alone is both extremely selfish and STUPID. So let's not also lose our way, alright?"

Kethra nods at Xanranzan, "Cobbler, how much more time left on your sneaking spell? I'll also leave our escape route to you. Whether you want to use magic or carve out some distinct marks with your blade, I don't care. Make sure we don't lose our way."

Next, The Blacksmith nudges The Miner. "If you want, you can go ahead and scope it out. Set a crossbow bolt on fire and shoot it our way if you want us to come running."

"And Sailor....we're going to need to talk later. But since you're not the best at sneaking for now, can you lead The Baker by the hand while he uses his magic?"

(To konpk: It lasts an hour and Xanranzan never got hit, so it should be on. Even so...)

Xanranzan grinned looked about ready happily follow after enthusiastic Marros. Although he stopped mid-step at Kethra's command and looked all the more confused by the singing. Needless to say, she had his full attention when she suddenly punches Marros right after. So much so, in fact, that when she turned on him with questions, he'd immediatly had his hands up in the air and was leaned back a bit away from her.

"Uh... uhh...Awhile, I guess? AIn't never really had a need to use it for long stretches, but... uh... we aughta be good for a g-good while, I think? Like maybe another for-uh... fordy-somethin' minutes... give or take." He smiles sheepishly and shrugs. "But uh... got it. I'll, uh.. start making some marks as we go, Cap'n."

(To DM: How dark is cavern? Like, before more lights get doused, are we seeing the shapes of a city in the distance, or only those of us with dark vision actually saw anything?)

(It's dimly lit, with sparse torches on the walls.)

Tyde, your owl sees that the only entrance to the city ahead seems to be a squat, stone gatehouse.  Beyond the open gates, a corridor with arrow slits at every bend zigzags forwards, and blocks the view of what might be ahead.

"Ow. What's that fo..." Before he can finish the sentence Kethra begins explaining the past events this group has seen. It made sense, but he couldn't help but feel the pain coming from the wails around him. Pain more intense than the well aimed punch from his new teacher. "If aiding these poor souls means helping the... Baker through this tormented place, then so be it. As a Warrior of Light, I know that sometimes the light is brighter when hidden amongst shadows". His quote making no sense but said with such conviction that it would inspire the most versed bards of the land. He gathers Tydes hand and rests it on his left shoulder. "I will be your guide through this place. When I move you move. When I stop, well you get the idea."

Marros, give me a Perception check please.

(Assuming you're moving into the gatehouse)

With the owl's return, Kethra steals a few backrubs on its downy feathers. "What did you see up ahead of us, little guy? Um, anyways, I was actually just waiting for this guy to come back from scouting. But since we know there are people around--miserable people--lowering the light until we need it is good."

"Oh I get it!" She suddenly stops to face The Sailor. "If you keep the light lowered, then it'll shine really bright and blind them a the right time! I used to surprise myself a lot when I didn't know how to manage a the flames in a forge as a beginner blacksmith." She laughs, reminiscing of times before.

Rubin falls to the back of the group, making sure to be in darkness, and invisible. He follows behind, keeping an eye on the area around them.

Xanranzan cocked his head to the side, then looked askcance mumbling "Brighter when hidden... what in the-" before trailing off into incoherent words. Ultimately, the earth genasi winds up shaking his head and dismissed all further effort in trying to make sense of it all. He looked confused again if Tyde's last words are for him, seeing as Xan was supposed to be at the back of the bus, or so he'd thought with Marros assertions. Or was that... not towards him?

Ultimately, he shakes his head, dismissing the whole line of thought. "... Meh... Ain't like any of us were expect'n a walk in the park, or however that saying goes. I also ain't got nuthin' fer that gatehouse plan. But, an emergency light show signs, uh.. good I guess. But, are we like walk'n up to a gate and or door, and basically try'na kick it in, or....?" He trails off there giving everyone but Rubin a questioning look.

"Yea, but uh... those are probably a bit on the bloody side of things given how things shook down up top." Xanranzan admits with a bit of a sheepish grin. "S-sorry 'bout that, by the way. Still getting used to Shawshanks here." Xan holds the hilt of ta sheathed Sawtoothed longsword with a fainter grin. "And unfortunately, I don't know the rhythm for persuading the weave to hide me anymore than my inherit magic. But, I'm willing to hang back a bit if need be if ya'll got ideas fer getting past all nice and easy.... Or, uh... assuming they ain't likely to shoot first, which... they prolly will consider'n the locale, but if there be guards and they ain't a mind ta do it, I... could maybe make some crap up to convince'm.. maybe?"

Quote from LordShadowthorn >>

Tyde, your owl sees that the only entrance to the city ahead seems to be a squat, stone gatehouse.  Beyond the open gates, a corridor with arrow slits at every bend zigzags forwards, and blocks the view of what might be ahead.

 (Now that Tyde has shared this information...is the gatehouse also lit with torches like where we currently are? What about the corridor?)

Quote from Brian_Avery >>

"Those guards above had long flowing robes didn't they?"

 "Yup, they sure did!" Kethra hops in front of him, having taken one robe for herself and twirls around for fun. She stops and looks for a reaction, only to realize that Mr. Tyde was blind and was being led by Marros. "Um...yeah, I'm wearing one of the robes right now. It's a long white robe, yup."

Quote from Mehmen >>

"Yea, but uh... those are probably a bit on the bloody side of things given how things shook down up top." Xanranzan admits with a bit of a sheepish grin. "S-sorry 'bout that, by the way. Still getting used to Shawshanks here." Xan holds the hilt of ta sheathed Sawtoothed longsword with a fainter grin.

 At this remark Kethra stares at Xanranzan with a completely unamused look. And just keeps on staring at him as she narrows her eyes.

. . .

After a long silence and as the party reaches the corner around the gatehouse, Kethra declares, "If there are torches on it, I can try to sneak in the gatehouse. Then if they catch me, at least they'll ask questions and not shoot first since I'm wearing some of their stuff. Then you guys can get the jump on them."

"But if there are no torches, can I count on you--," she stares and makes a little wave at the darkness Rubin sank into, "--to sneak in?"

With Tyde deep in conversation with both Kethra and Xan, Marros stops moving forward. He waits quietly while the others talk about how best to tackle entering the gatehouse. "I may not be shadowy, far from it, but I can see through the darkness well enough" he winks, not that anyone can see it. "My sword is yours to command."

((Perception check if still needed 8))