The Unseen Servant forums

Bluehorse wrote:Keg stops in his tracks and turns around. Wait... you think these are phanatontracks? he puts away his sword and comes back out into the sunlight.

My understanding is they are friends, right? I won't barge in on a neighbor armed for a fight. Do we know how to talk to em?

Elnaerel

"I don't. Unfortunately Elenastra hasn't granted me the gift of speaking with nature other dwellers. Perhaps one day She will find me worthy of it. Maybe a magician will have such a power?" She looks at Darklin and Feanol.

Darklin

I have a spell that I can use to talk to them but I must touch the one I am talking to. And that didn't turn out so well the last time. But if the chance arises I will try again.

Sheaths his sword but keeps the shield on his arm.

Keyon

The elf tilts his head, his brow furrowed slightly. "Tree people who live in caves?" He shrugs. "Who am I to judge?" He replaces his sword, but rests his hand loosely atop the hilt.

Feanol

Hands close to her daggers she sticks close to Darklin.

Keg

Thinking. Well, any other tracks here? I reckon we could announce ourselves

The River
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

The tracks are definitely not from the tree dwelling phanaton encountered earlier, as their furry digits were much more human-like. They look more akin to lizards but since they are in pairs of 2, it is more likely that they belong to some small 3-toed bipedal beings.

Nothing is spotted in the trees or on the beach, and very little noise is emitted from the jungle on this side of the river.

Taking the search closer to the cave mouth, the group stops outside for a better look and listen. A few harmless blue sea crabs can be seen crawling around on the rough stone of the cliff walls, easy to spot against the black background. There is a slight sound of waves crashing against rock coming from within, and a smell of stale sea water over rotting vegetation, but the pitch dark opening reveals little else. No sign of movement, light, or other sounds are noticed.

Actions?

map: Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

The Knife

"No offense to humans", The Knife says to Keg, "but you can't really see in the dark can you? If you stand out here in the light, you won't see much down that dark tunnel will you?"

"Now, I have a suggestion. Well, we both have actually. Either one of us who can see in the dark takes a peek down there. Or we toss a torch down there and see what we can see."

Keg haruphs a bit bit grins as he does so, looking down at the halfling. Well, I am hearing solutions, not problems. Go for it little man.

The Knife

The Knife looks up at Keg wide-eyed. "Well, I can't throw a torch down there because my torches are on the side of my old backpack. And that's at the bottom of the sea. And I can't take a look down the hallway because I don't want to get shot".

He shrugs. "If it helps, you could see me as like a general of an army, sitting in a big tent on top of a hill and drinking wine. I'm taking an overall view."

Keyon

"Well. Judging from the number and orientation of the tracks, there are likely creatures inside the cave. I don't know any genial, have-a-cup-of-tea races which hang rodents from trees as decoration, so we can assume they're unpleasant folk. That said--" he takes a deep breath and drops his pack, draws his sword, and approaches the cave mouth--"I'll have a shufty and let you know." He frowns at his backpack.

"Would one of you please grab that if things go pear-shaped? I already lost one and had to replace it, and Nallissa's gear isn't cheap. At least not for a pauper like yours truly," he adds in a low mutter. His gaze brightens momentarily. "Although that would give me a good excuse to admire her fantastic--" he blinks, glancing around with a sheepish grin as if just realizing he's in mixed company, then shrugs and ducks into the cavern.

Despite his carefree demeanor, every sense is reaching out, every muscle fiber is tense and alert, and his sword is at the ready. Keyon moves slowly, allowing his keen elven eyes to adjust to the change in light as he scans the ground, the ceiling, and both sides before peering deeper into the gloom. He pauses for a long moment to simply listen.

Feanol

Seeing Keyon taking on the task of scout she says calmly "Be careful in there, those totems may be to appease what does live in there, it seems to be open to the sea, so our little friends may not live here, but sacrifice here to whatever does live in there."

Elnaerel raises an eyebrow, surprised at Keyon's proposal. "Fine. But don't go too venturous in there. Just a quick glance to see what's going on."

She turns to the others. "Who will take care of his gear? I'm already pretty encumbered myself." She gestures towards her large shield, her morning star and her chainmail. Finally, she dones her elven winged helmet and waits looking towards the cavemouth, her senses ready to attack whatever enemy might come.

Keg

Holds out his meaty hand and takes the gear over his shoulder. I can hack some branches down with my axe and use a bit of my line of rope to make some torches if we need to.

The River
Moonday, 22nd of Goodmonth
Late Morning, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Creeping up to the cave mouth even closer, Keyon shows his meddle by offering to scout out the entrance alone. Keg and The Knife dont even try to stop him, instead discussing the gnomes position on such things. Keg moves past the entrance as the elf enters, spotting something even more horrible than the hanging totems that Feanol wisely suggests might be offerings to whatever lives inside.

In the alcove beyond the entrance, Keg is shocked to find many severed heads stuck into the nooks and crannies of the rough black cliff face. Most of them have been picked clean to their white skulls from the crabs and other natural critters who make the cliffs their home, but a few of them still retain enough meat and hair to realize what they once were. Unable to tell if the macabre area is another unsettling decoration, or some kind of warning, all Keg can do is point it out to the others.

After a stern warning from Elnaerel, Keyon heads inside the dark cave, finding the floor soaking wet. The sound of the waves crashing and water plopping down form the moist ceiling are the only noise his elven ears perceive. Messing with his heat vision are several jagged natural holes or openings in the floor of the dark tunnel, spots where he can see the ocean waves rushing in, swirling around under the floor, and splashing water across the tunnel. Natural light coming through holes give off an eerie greenish glow where he can see the sandy ocean bottom covered with rocky patches of coral, making it clear that the cave might be accessed by swimming underneath the black cliffs.

The entire cave reeks of rotting vegetation, salty brine, and heavy humidity.

Actions?

map: Keyon 6/6
Keg Woodwright 13/13
Elnaerel 10/10 3/3
The Knife* 5/5
Feanol 4/4 1/1 CL, DM, RM
Darklin Sylvanas 8/8 1/1 CL, DM, RM

Elnaerel stays at the ready at the cavemouth. "I don't like this at all. Those skulls over there are a warning for sure..." She whispers at her nearby companions.

Feanol

Hearing Elnaerel she responds "You said it sister. I'm thinking we're much more likely to see that monster we worked so hard to avoid earlier than we will some wee dragon kind"

The Knife

The Knife looks at all the skulls too. "Yes, I suppose they could be a warning. But maybe it's a 'Please don't bother me, I'm rather busy' warning, not an 'I'm going to feast on your brains!' warning. Or maybe those crabs are pets, and they are very fussy eaters....". The Knife's voice trails off, not entirely convinced by his own theories. After a few moments though he perks up again.

"Anyway, I heard that the handsome druid and the brave elf killed all the monsters in here a month ago. I'm sure nothing else has crept in there since. I mean, how stupid would you have to be, to enter a cave festooned with dozens of creepy skulls?" The Knife winks back at Elnaerel.

"Look, I'll prove it's safe." The Knife follows Keyeon into the cave, as far as the first pool. He crouches down against the wall on the opposite side of the tunnel, wary of something leaping from the water and grabbing him.

Keg

Refuses to be left behind and sticks close behind Keyon, ready to put himself between them and any danger that may show itself. Maybe they are leftovers from the dead seahag everyone keeps talking about.

Darklin

Darklin looks at Feanol.

Are you ready to enter the cave? We can see better than Keg and I'm not sure how much room is in there but we should head in if this is to be our base camp. Better to check it out now than later. If you chose to wait outside I will return soon.

Drops his shield to his left arm and draws his long sword.

Keyon

The sound of several pairs of feet and voices intrudes upon Keyon's listening and he sighs, chuckling inwardly without looking back. Steeling himself against the unknown, he takes a gamble and pushes ahead, walking softly and skirting the pools as much as possible, wary lest some beast reach from beneath and grab him.