Quivering Corruption (DM Lerus)

"Glad to see you still on this side of the veil, Doozey," Neya says with some relief. "We only saw the aftermath of what happened in the plaza."

Doozey watches the bats flyby with a mix of cold hatred and focus so intense, that Neya's words almost appear to fall on deaf ears. But after a moment, a faint scowl twists his features. Even so, for just the briefest of weakness, he would turn back to the others, or more accurately where he expected them to come from, searching for something. After a moment, his face returns to a grim cast, before he turned away to follow the bats,silently cursing for not have struck true or preparing for such eventuality.

"This is no time for casual conversation, Neya." He finally says, breaking his silence. "The prey is close, and we can hardly afford to waste another moment more. If not the Mother, we need to slay as man as we can before or after they've taken the blood. They must not survive past this... past the present." Doozey corrects, uncertain of just how long he'd been out. And while his breathing had been somewhat erratic, and steps pained, the stoutling remained determined to march back the way he had come; reinforced... or not.

Utar takes two potions of healing from his pack and downs the contents of the first, offering the other to the group. "They're going to know we're here, whatever we do, we need to decide quickly, how are we holding up?" 

Utar knows that the choice to leave isn't one that's going to last and knowing how bloody minded the stoutling is backing down likely isn't one either. "Before we get into another fight it would be good to know what we're getting into. What powers are these werebeasts getting from your blood exactly?"

(OOC Utar heals for 9)

Doozey slows to a stop, if only grudgingly so, and looks back to Utar. Unless another claims the potion, he would down it himself. Whether before or after which, the stoutling eventually says to all. "I... don't know exact the extent. I didn't belong the sect who specialized in the transformative solutions that in part gave them -- 'us' all the prowess that we possess. What I do know is that my blood, as of those my sect -- The Grey Hunters, were treated especially so in preparation of the 'Taming', and the receiving of accursed powers of Lycanthropy."

He looks to the ground. "If done right, they can at least mitigate their weakness to silver, and reduce the bloodlust inherit in the 'Gift'. If done wrong... they may die yet, but not before transforming into even worse monsters -- THAT'S why its important we get to them quick." He further emphasis, looking back up at the others.

In case of receiving potion healing:

Graxx nods to Doozey.

"Doozey looks like he can use the potion first.  I can use my rage to subside the pain... I just need to call on the anger from Tempus early if I can or I will not last long..."

Graxx grips his halberd

"Let's do this..."

"One moment..." Neya says as she drinks her potion of healing (greater)

Potion roll: 9

"Ready as I'll ever be, now."

Moneus is not so ready to immediately jump into another fight: "Woh woh... If that ambush was just the distraction, are we sure we want to jump straight into the lion's mouth again? Those bats did some serious damage. Shouldn't we at least... plan? Scout? Search? I'm sure the halfling here would be much more help if he had armor on and a blade? Perhaps even a quick rest? Don't you all think?"

Seeing everyone share a round of healing potions, the tiefling then pulls out two vials of familiar red liquid. He extends one toward Graxx and says: "Drink up, tough guy. You'll need it regardless of what the group decides to do." He then drinks the contents of the second vial.

-> Potion of healing (Greater) roll for Moneus: 10

(@Grx: You may either drink or pocket the potion Moneus gave you. It is also of the Greater variety.)

While the group discusses next steps, they enjoy a quick pick-me-up from healing potions:

• Utar heals for 9 HP.
• Doozey heals for 6 HP and gains full functionality of his hands again.
• Neyas heals for 14 HP.
• Moneus heals for 16 HP.
• Graxx heals for 16 HP - reference.

Doozey and Utar discuss what sort of extra powers the shapechangers may be getting from the blood hunter's blood. The stoutling indicates his desire to follow the northeast path, but Moneus voices his concerns. Both Neya and Graxx seem ready to go.

(OOC: I'm waiting on answers to my question on the chat, as well as giving folks a chance to react to Moneus.)

Doozey comes to a full stop again. Though this time nearly half a minute passes  prior to him take a deep, calming breath. "You're right. Devil Man.  Absolutely right." He responds quietly and hollowly. "It'll be better this way." He adds more softly, before without waiting for another response, heading off to the Northwest tunnel using the wall again as guide if/when things eventually get to dark. Short of an active attempt to restrain him, any attempt to give him pause with words fall on deaf ears, and the slightest touch is shrugged off. "Gear is probably this way. Assuming it was cast away" Is all he say in response to anything, and even then only the once.

IMMEDIATELY BEFORE DOOZEY HEADS DOWN THE PASSAGEWAY

"Exactly right. We're in their home, we need to tilt the odds in our favour and gain every advantage we can get, a moment planning now, could save us later down the line." Utar punctuates his words with hand gestures, the outline of a plan forming in his mind. Turning to the tunnels he catches sight of Doozey follow the line of the wall into the darkness.

AS DOOZEY HEADS DOWN THE PASSAGEWAY

Utar mutters a long line of Orcish swearing, something about the relative quality of whatever lies between Doozey's ears to troll dung and the possibility of Utar having taken one too many blows to the head, or too few.

"Or we could wander into the darkness and forgo all that."

Utar's shoulders drop, he can understand the need for the stoutling to avenge his fallen brother, stopping whatever fell magic his blood is granting the other werebeasts, and yet at times Doozey is strangely detached, eager to push into more combat and showing little care for his own safety. Utar cannot shake the feeling he has seen these actions before and they rarely end well.

"Neya, can you  take the lead? Graxx and I will follow with the light of the Driftglobe and protect Doozey," Addressing Moneus directly he adds, "I'd ask you to join Neya, your skill would be invaluable, but this is not your fight and if you want to leave, I understand, I cannot ask more of you tonight my friend."

Moneus smiles at Utar: "If I tell Litta that I abandoned you in the middle of a fight, she'll have my skin."

He then adds: "I am glad you see merit in my reasoning. So, if danger is most likely to the northeast, shall we instead explore the southwest passage or the northwest passage? Your halfling friend seems to be heading southwest for now..."

Graxx’s eyes light up at the potion.

”I was hoping a miracle would occur and I’d get some healing from somewhere.  Thank you, Moneus”

Graxx downs the potion: 16

"We should catch up with Doozey, then," Neya says. "He seems more than determined, almost to the point of losing sight of more immediate concerns."

(@Grx: Good roll. I resolved your potion drinking above.)

The group decides to search the cave a bit instead of jumping head first into another fight. Doozey wanders toward the southwest passage and, upon Utar's request, Neya and Moneus quickly catch up and overtake the stoutling. Utar and Graxx follow behind, now benefitting from the warm light provided by the cleric's Driftglobe.

The magical light is welcomed. This next chamber would be completely dark otherwise. The group goes down a few stony steps to enter this room and have to stick close to the northern wall  in order to traverse. Most of the rest of the chamber is cluttered with hastily thrown about supplies, a lot of which is broken. Many wooden pieces that once formed barrels and crates are littered about, as are pots, vases, boxes, and pieces of furniture. Some rotting food smears the walls and the bones of many small dead animals can be seen in every corner. It is very reminiscent of all the small dead animal the party found in some portions of town. 

The only other way out of this chamber is a separate set of steps leading further west. It also lead to a chamber devoid of light.

EXPLORED AREA:

Doozey hardly pauses to look around for longer than it was necessary. Seeing the dead rodents, and then thinking back to the goblins and leeches, he nods, finally piecing together at least part of the mystery in passing. But, it could no more hold his interest than the rest of the rifraff. However, after reaching at least the top of the western steps, a though occurs, and after some hesitation, he returned to more thoroughly check the barrels and crates for any sign of his discarded goods.

While the armor and weapons were likely to be in some goblins hands, he dared to hope the same didn't go for his healer's kit, if only for present needs.

Investigation: 18.

If nothing comes of the search, or after making some use of what lied there, he is moving on again down the western steps wordlessly.

Glancing around the room, Utar gets the strong suspicion that they're stood in a midden. He can't imagine that they'll find anything useful; half eaten small mammals and excrement aside.

Deciding it still best not to have any werebeasts catch them unawares, he positions himself just behind the entrance so as to remain out of sight. Tilting his head just so, positioning an ear to face down the tunnel, Utar tries to listen for any footfalls coming their way.

Perception 12

Graxx dreams of having the belt that allows him to see in the dark.

”Utar... I’m relying on that drift globe.  You light up what needs killing and I’ll be right on them.  You’re my light while we’re in here.  Think I’ll grab a torch off the wall if we walk by another one.  Light everything that can burn on fire.  Let me see in this place.”

Graxx will stand guard.  Silvered halberd in handing standing guard with Utar.  Using his ears over his eyes he listens in the dark...

Perception: 13

Neya will sneak up to the entrance of the next passage and watch ahead of them for any movement.

Stealth: 20

Perception: 7

At first, a disinterested Doozey simply continues walking toward the next unexplored area. A change of heart later, the stoutling begins to search the pile of discarded goods and organic matters. While he does so, both Utar and Graxx stand watch, lest they be caught unawares by the surely-to-be-nearby shapechangers. The pair catches the pitter patter of their hosts, but can't quite place it due to the echoing nature of cavern walls. They may be close, they may be far. They may be to the east of CRAP, they may be to the west. A bit frustrated with not being able to use his eyes as well as he'd wish down here, Graxx suggests setting things on fire.

A few moments pass before Doozey comes across anything useful. It would seem that, in their rush, the enemies threw some of their weapons in the pile of refuse. Thinking of it, there were a few empty weapon racks in the previous room, so that might be where they were originally housed. Doozey pinpoints at least three easy to reach scimitars and two shortswords. Looking about a while longer results in an even better find. The halfling spots what is without a doubt his own backpack. Pulling it out from in between two pieces of broken crate, the hunter rummages inside to find part of his gear. He now has access to his bedroll, bell, daggers (2), buckler, travel food, tinderbox, and waterskin. Unfortunately, it would seem even these beasts can recognize the value of Doozey's other possessions, be them weapons, armor, or colorful vials.

Separately, Neya and Moneus spare a glance at the dark room ahead. Moneus stays back a bit and lets Neya lead in her stealthy mode. There are no light sources in this next chamber but Utar's Driftglobe, is bright enough to let some light in. The quiet monk identifies a large chamber, the largest in this cave system so far, with a single pillar right in the middle where a stalactite surely merged with a stalagmite. Spread across the room there are several mounds of some material that is softer than the stone all around, though Neya can't quite tell what they are without getting a closer look. The bones and blood of several more small animals, as well as some larger ones, can be found in this room as well, purposefully placed in two distinct spots surrounded by these mounds.

This larger chamber loops around such that the only other exit leads northeast. Neya concludes that it is safe to assume (passive survival) that this northeast exit leads back to the area where Doozey initially wanted to go (the northwest passage in the room previous to the midden).

Moneus whispers to Neya: "Is it safe to move onward?"

Then to the rest of the party: "If you are all ready, shall we?"