Chapter 5: The Darkness of Dimwater

[Mant72]

Moments after the battle with the stone sentinel, Aric is suddenly overcome by waves of vertigo and nausea.

He develops a coppery taste in his mouth, and his head begins to steadily throb until it grows into an intense migraine. His vision blurs as he drops the club, stumbles over to the nearest pew, and collapses.

Grog, please see Private Thread.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Osprey rushes to aid Aric after he falls, seeing if he can discern what happened to him, staunching any blood flow, and making him comfortable. He also keeps an eye on the smaller open doorway to see if anything was attracted to the sounds of combat.

[Storm11]

Hex will flick the club out of the barbarians way with a dagger and watch the elf at work.

"Do you think this weapon is cursed hmmmmm yes yes?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Well what now the big guy's down, we're in a bit of hurt once more. But we have passage options before us." vthe dwarf says whilst re-sheathing his sword.

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

When the big roustabout suddenly keeled over, Phineas abandoned his post. He went to the barbarian, splashed some water on his face and then slapped it a few times. "Kid! Wake up! Come on! Snap out of it!"

[Mant72]

With two party members down, the remaining companions rush to tend to those in need.

Hex sees to an unconscious Wil as the monk bleeds freely on the chapel floor. The little halfling acts quickly to apply bandages to the gruesome wounds left by the sentinel's stone sword, and Brother Wil stabilizes.

Osprey and Phineas rush to the aid of the collapsed barbarian, Aric. No outward markings point to his ailment. There is no bleeding, no bruising. Suddenly Aric begins to convulse, and Osprey places his hand beneath the giant's head to prevent him from striking it on the stone tiles. Aric's seizures subside as quickly as they began, and he lies motionless. His breathing grows shallow, yet he still lives.

Half a bell passes, Aric's eyes snap open, and he finds himself lying beside one of the pews surrounded by his companions. He feels extremely weakened, and the migraine remains.

- Wil is still unconscious, but he is no longer bleeding out.

- Hit Point Status: viewtopic.php?f=337&t=5274

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

Speaking to Aric, are you ok? What happened?

A glance across the room assures Osprey that Wil is being attended to.

[Storm11]

Hex calls out to the cleric. "Will needs some of your divine healing yes yes yes!"

The halfling gets to his furry feet, throws his long topknot over his shoulder and straightens his rainbow coloured robes, moving to the barbarian and ensuring he is not in contact with the strange club.

"Can you stand muscles, the cleric needs your healing skills, as does the monk yes yes. What happened to you there hmmmm?"

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

With half a bell to kill while they wait to see if the monk and the roustabout will live, the enterprising self-starter tries to keep useful by looking for secret egresses in the altar room, including behind the tapestries.

[Grognardsw]

Aric stirs and groggily gets to his feet.

"By Tor and the Snow Dog, I feel like a giant did break me."

"I had strange visions and warning..."

The barbarian recounts his fell dream:

Aric finds himself in the dark, floating on his back in the center of a mist shrouded lake. Stars wheel overhead, and complete silence envelops him. A lone star falls and dies behind a distant mountain range.

In his peripheral vision, Aric spots a darkened figure standing on the shore. He slowly turns his head to better see the watcher. As his eyes adjust and gain clarity, Aric recognizes the figure as the shaman from his small village far to the north.

The tribal priest proceeds to warn the young barbarian of forbidden magicks and angered, ancient gods. He whispers ominously to his kinsmen, "They drown in flames...beware the Ghost Eater..." The shaman then grows silent and turns to walk into the mist.

Aric feels himself slowly spinning.

He begins to spin faster and faster as the stars overhead begin to blur, and the lake transforms into a whirlpool that drags the freebooter into the depths below...

"I need fresh air." Aric climbs out the shaft to outside. He breathes deep, watches clouds pass, and contemplates his dream. If he was a religious man, he would pray, but instead he sharpens his sword with his whetstone.

Eventually he returns and provides first aid to those who need it.

[Storm11]

A chill passes through the little illusionist. "Oo what could eat a ghost mmmmm? Nothing good that's for darn sure no no no indeedy!" Hex says shaking his head and watching the barbarian leave

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Ghosts aren't anything I want to mess with and you spoke of a ghost eater that worries me even more than a mere ghost. Lets perhaps get surface side, clear air and perhaps a different path may well be a better plan."

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

"Hm. Sounds like you buffeted your cranium when you fell," says Phineas, who nonetheless follows the big barbarian to the surface until he gets his wind back.

[Mant72]

Aric, Phineas, and Kragg return to the surface via the tunnel that emerges into the small garden.

(Map of Surface Area)

image.png (38.95 KiB) Viewed 207 times

The fresh air is invigorating; however, Aric's other-worldly vision continues to haunt him, and his weakened state persists. The trio lingers above ground for a few moments then returns to the depths to rejoin the others.

Osprey, Hex, and Yon have remained below to see to the wounded Brother Wil.

Yon turns to face the east, kneels, and calls upon the divine gifts bestowed by the Father of Light. A soft light spans out from the cleric's palms to help knit the fallen monk's grievous injuries.

Yon Casts Cure Light Wounds: [1d8] = 4

Wil emerges from his unconscious state extremely weakened and in no condition to travel very far.

Making use of the time at hand, Phineas searches behind the tapestries and around the altar for secret doors and hidden passages, but he finds none.

All is quiet in the chapel as the party awaits their next move.

- Wil and Aric are still feeling the effects of the recent fight. They will both require rest before returning to their full potential.

- Hit Point Status: viewtopic.php?f=337&t=5274&p=233463#p233463

[Storm11]

"Me thinks it might be time to find a secure place to rest and heal. If Aric is well enough he could tend to the wounds of Yon and Will, and perhaps the good cleric could use his last healing spell upon himself yes yes yes? Perhaps once we have had the time to recuperate and recover there will be a chance to delve further more securely hmmm?" the halfling says with a heavy sigh, looking to the others for their thoughts, flicking some dirt off his multi-hued robes.

[coil23]

Osprey Palearctic, elven fighter/magic-user

We could hole up in this chapel. Both doors could be closed and pews pushed up against them.

[Storm11]

"What to do about this magical club though mmmm?" the halfling ponders aloud, playing with his topknot absently

[Inferno]

P.T. Codswallop, halfling impresario:

"That thing laid the big guy low," Phineas said ruefully as he wiggled his mustache in consternation. "I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, even if I still had one... or two."

[GreyWolfVT]

Kragg "Not sure I want to find out about that club. But yes lets secure us a spot for resting."

[greyarea]

Yon hefts the club. He examines it to see if there are markings or runes. We all need rest, and Osprey's plan is sound. This temple to the moon is but a weak reflection of the Lord of Light. I must pray for guidance...