Chapter 2: South Wind

[Sherwood]

Wren falls into place behind the paladin and lizard man, carrying her dual blades with an easy grip. She looks over to the newcomer, being sure to keep her face somewhat covered by her hood, and says, "These two do a good job at making a wall between us and the bad guys. All I have to do is help out with an occasional sword strike at the right time. I'm Wren, by the way."

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Baird follows behind Renna and Veskassdak as they lead the way into the caves. He also overhears the conversation between Renna and Lenorei in which they talk about their respective dieties. As Wren introduces herself and says what she does in the group, he also speaks up. "You already know my name, but I do my part in this group by utilizing magic in both combat and study.
Dicer Sherwood Psychie Danchou Tsubomi Silanon

 

[Silanon]

Presumably as watchful as one possibly can be, the group carefully enters the cave, with the fighters in front and the others close behind. The soldiers and scouts around you make no effort to stop you from that - they seem more than happy to let some random mercenaries, including a beast, elf and half-elf, risk their lives first. Likely to your surprise, you are not welcomed by pointy arrows or an ogre's hammer; perhaps, there is an even better point of defense further down.

Down, in this case, means further down the single path that seems to lead deeper and deeper - only partially lighted by several torches. The ground itself is stony, and so are the walls - small trinkles of water remind you of the moisty ground outside. Apart from the lighting, there are not many signs of the occupants; hundreds of footprints, a bit of rubbish, that's it.

Slowly advancing, it still takes just a few moments until you reach dozens of boulders that partially block your way. A recent collapse, by the looks of it, likely the place where the scouts tried to stop the orcs from leaving the cave. Apparently, the ogre has smashed its way right through the blockade, certainly wide enough to follow. That said, it does not take an expert to see that more rocks could rain down on you at any given moment.

 

[Sherwood]

In a quiet but stern voice, Wren says, "Hold! That would be a good spot to set a trap, something to make the whole lot of boulders come crashing down on us. Let me take a look first." She carefully moves forward, all senses working at their maximum to make sure that she doesn't put her foot in a nasty surprise.

OOC Forgot to add, I have a +15 to Perception to Detect Traps

 

[Psychie]

As the nimble rogue moves forward, Renna uses her divine gift of Detect Evil in the immediate area, to make sure that there is no creepy-crawlies hiding around. "Be careful, Wren. Remember, we are not alone down here."

 

[Silanon]

Spoiler: Rolls for Wren

2+15=17 - ouch. Reflex save: 18+10 - yay!

As careful as usual, Wren moves forward, doing her best to find any kind of trap before her companions can get into danger - with mixed results. On the bright side, she discovers the two orc runes that are carved into two of the larger boulders on either side of the path; unfortunately, she only does so when she already stands right between them, alarmed by a splintering sound and their faint glow in the darkness. A number of fissures in the rock underneath can be seen, quickly expanding in all directions - then, the rogue's instincts take over. The way ahead through the collapsed area is shorter than turning around, and thus her legs carry her forward as quickly as they can, while small pebbles start to rain down on her already. Right when she leaves the boulders behind and once more is between wooden pillars that seem to support the cave ceiling, she can hear a thundering crash behind her.

When the dust settles, both she and the rest of the group can see nothing but a loose pile of debris and boulders blocking the pathway. There's some good news, however - before the noise interrupts her focus, Renna will be able to sense that there is no evil being nearby. It does not need any divine support for any of you to know that a human rogue of chaotic-good alignment was either smashed by the rocks, or is stuck on the other side of the stony barrier.

 

[Sherwood]

Hardly daring to move in case she might dislodge another cave in, Wren pulls out her Ioun stone with the Light spell on it, and sets it spinning about her head in order to be able to look around. Ok, no need to panic. Nothing is broken, and I'm not stuck in place. I can move, and there is no signs of anything on this side of the rock fall besides me. Slowly, she gets up and walks over to the barrier between her and the others. "Well, shit. This sucks." Drawing one of her daggers, she raps on one of the stones to try and signal to the others that she is still alive and well. "I wonder if there is any way to shift these stones without brining any more of the ceiling down on us."

With that goal in mind, she carefully examines the rock wall in front of her.

 

[Psychie]

On their side of the rock fall, Renna has to force herself to stand back to keep from trying to tear the rocks away with her bare hands in an effort to get to Wren. "No! Blast it! We have to get through there and, with Iomeade's blessing, Wren will still be alive. Everyone, help me find a way to shift these stones enough to be able to get to her."

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Baird sees the collapse and then sees Renna attempt to shift the rocks haphazardly. "WAIT!" Baird roars in an attempt to get Renna to step back for a moment. "We have to be careful and if we are not, we'll all be under rocks. Anyone know how best to approach the removal of the rocks?"(Knowledge Dungeoneering/Geography)

 

[Psychie]

Renna visibly struggles with the desire to try and move the rocks and save Wren, but Baird is right. With a sigh, she steps back and nods. "Very well. I know little about moving rocks; I am more skilled with splitting heads instead. Dear Iomeade, please help us! We need to rescue our comrade." She looks at the others. "I do hope that someone knows how to safely shift these stones and get access to the other side."

 

[Silanon]

From both sides, you can get a rough idea of the consistency of the debris: There are some larger boulders that will be hardly moveable by hand, and a lot of loose, stony material around and between them.

On the group's side, Io carefully gets closer to the rocks, trying to avoid any further danger. "She was pretty far in when the rocks fell down - if we're unlucky, it might take hours to dig our way through this mess, even with appropriate equipment." She attempts to climb onto the most forward boulder, but jumps backwards as multiple small pebbles start to move underneath her feet. "Hard to say if there's more to come from above." At this point, you might hear a faint, distant sound from the other side, mostly rhythmic, as Wren tries to signal you that she's more or less fine for the moment.

On Wren's side, things don't look much better - you might hear the others' voices as a distant whisper, and you'll be able to understand Baird's rather loud roar. The magical light offers you a bit of visibility - the corridor seems to continue forward for now, before taking a left-hand turn. You'd have to advance to see what's further down there, but things are quiet - for now. You can imagine that the falling rocks will have made enough noise to alarm the orcs further down. As for the stone barrier behind you; there seems to be no easy way to get through this mess. You could try to climb up and see if there is a hole near the ceiling, but obviously that would be a rather high risk to take.

 

[Sherwood]

With a troubled sigh, Wren looks around at her options. I can try to climb up, and perhaps make another landslide. Or, I can advance on my own, and perhaps run into the orcs and that damn ogre. Or, I can sit here and starve to death. Fun options. Either way I decide, I had best make a move soon. That rock fall must have been heard by the bad guys, and if I were them, I'd go to investigate.

Another sigh. "Time to make a move. I guess I'll try to find another way out, and hopefully I won't get dead." Wren sets off down the tunnel, moving as silently as possible, listening for any signs of advancing orcs.

 

[Silanon]

Spoiler: Rolls for Wren

Perception: 15+13, Stealth 9+12

As Wren advances there are no signs of living or undead orcs or other foes - for now. Silently moving forward, the rogue reaches the point where she has to turn leftwards to follow the corridor. And, peeking around the corner, she notices something considerably different from what she's seen thus far: other tunnels. Straightforward, the normal path continues, but there is a dark opening on each side, starting points for two additional paths leading through the ground. The one to her right is closer to her, and seems to lead upwards by the looks of it. It's rather small, probably appropriate for goblins or ratfolk - a human, on the other hand, would have to crouch to follow it. The path to the left leads further downwards, but is large enough to let orcs pass through quite handily; no way an ogre would fit through that passageway, though. There is a trail of blood leading there, starting in the midst of the corridor. Multiple dead bodies lie around, all of them either orc or ratfolk. They might have been undead before they died a second time, but you'd have to examine them further to know for certain - maybe not what's in your mind right now.

What do the others do at this moment? Behind you, you can hear loud voices shouting orders; perhaps, the lord has arrived, or they're simply reacting to the noise caused by the falling rocks.

 

[Sherwood]

Wren ponders her options, now that she has more of them. I should try to get out; if I follow the main path, I'm certain to run into the nasties we all saw come in here. That path to the right might lead out. I'll risk it. She draws a pair of daggers from her belt and crouches down to fit into the tunnel to the right. She moves slowly, the better to both listen for any signs of activity around her and to avoid making any sound of her own.

 

[Psychie]

With the sound of the activity coming up from behind, and the mass of boulders blocking the path to the front with no way of safely shifting the debris, Renna lets out a growl. "Blast it! We are going to have to either find a way through, or hope that there is another way out for Wren. If we only had some way to move the barrier . . . Well, we are stuck at the moment. Let us go out and see what trouble is coming up from behind."

 

[Danchou Tsubomi]

"Sounds like a plan. Hopefully she can hold out until then." Unfortunately, this newcomer didn't have an idea for what would be a safe way to deal with this obstacle, so she couldn't suggest something else. This seemed to be their only option at the moment. At least Wren didn't seem to be injured from the falling rocks.

 

[Dicer]

Veskassdak instinctively jumped backwards as the ceiling collapsed where Wren had moved to look for a trap. He coughed in the dust that blew up from it. Not having any experience with such an obstacle before, he waited for his companions to make a decision on how best to proceed. The voices of the mammals behind them let him know that they were not the only ones to react to the collapse. He hoped Wren was unharmed, but he also knew his strength would be of little use in a situation such as this. This was not swamp and he was unfamiliar with the workings of rock.
"Who knowsss rock weaknesssesss?" he coughed out. "Other mammalsss maybe rock familiar with can way through find. Wren mussst get safenesss. Danger alone good not her."

 

[Silanon]

Spoiler: Rolls for Wren

Stealth: 11+12, Perception 13+14.

Deciding to take the path that will most likely get her out of the cave, Wren carefully makes her way through the tunnel - ducking her head to avoid the stony ceiling, and weapons at hand in case there are foes around. You manage to avoid both rock and enemies; in fact, listening for other living beings in here, you notice that it's damn silent. Especially with an ogre further down, you'd expect more noise to fill the air, but it's almost as if noone would be down there. One time, you think you can hear hurried steps in the main corridor, but by then you're far enough away to not be in any threat to be seen. The path itself is rather steep and bumpy, but you manage to avoid any further obstacles. After a while, you see bright daylight, and the noise of dozens of soldiers reaches your ears. Only a few careful steps later, you find yourself on top of the cliff where the ratlings held their position during the fight - in the valley below, you can see that the Lord himself has arrived by now; unmistakable, as he's the only one down there riding a horse, and you recognize his family armor from years back when it gathered dust in the entry hall. Neither he nor his men seeem to pay too close attention to the cliff where you're hiding - climbing down there might catch their attention, though.

Near the collapse site, the group decides to turn around for now, maybe there's help to be found outside. "I'd bet a few dwarves could dig their way through the barrier in no time - but I doubt there are any in the lord's following" is Io's response to the lizardman's question, less optimistic than one might have hoped. As you leave the cave, you see that way more soldiers have arrived - most of them stand around indecisively while the lord, in the midst of the group and on the back of his horse, tries to get an idea of what happened. If you intend to ask for help, he might be the one to ask. Most others seem to wear the colors of his house - apart from the healers and a few mercenaries, the are two further, notable exceptions. One of them is Zvolov, the alchemist who tried to trick you earlier - as he does not seem to carry any weapons, he's likely not here to fight. The other one is Bjarni, the young dwarven traveller who brought you to Damos' Lookout. He's wearing his armor and carries a crossbow, but seems to avoid most of the humans.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

As the group leaves the cave Baird notices the sudden influx of soldiers and the lord, that Wren was attempting to avoid, on horseback. ~Shit!~ Baird mentally curses as he was the only one Wren informed of this problem. If he were to ask what happened, he'd know that there was another person and they were trapped. Baird had to be careful about how he would word such a request for help in that Wren's true identity would not be discovered. Seeing Bjarni and Zvolov, he made a mental note to step in if veskassdak would attempt to fight the alchemist. In the meantime, however, Baird decided that he would go talk to the young dwarf that had led them to their original starting point. Walking away from the group, Baird approaches Bjarni, amulet swinging, and speaks in Dwarven, "Bjarni! It is good to see you again, how are things?"

Silanon Sherwood Dicer Danchou Tsubomi Psychie

 

[Sherwood]

Wren looks down and sees that Lord Fatass has decided to make his appearance. Great. That's all I need. Now, do I stay up here and hope he leaves, or do I climb down and let my friends know I'm ok? She briefly chews on a thumbnail as she ponders her next move. I had best get down there and let the others know I'm ok. I don't want anyone to get hurt trying to shift those rocks and having another cave-in.

Decision made, Wren makes her way down the rocky slope until she is once more down at ground level, making sure to keep her hood pulled down to hide her face as much as possible. She calls out, "Hey guys! I found a way out. It might be a little tight for Renna to get through with her heavy armor and large sword, but even she should be able to get into the larger tunnels if you are interested in going after that ogre."

 

[Psychie]

A wave of relief washes over Renna as the missing rogue makes her appearance. "Thank Iomedae that you are not hurt! When those rocks came down, I was quite worried for you." When Wren makes the comment that it would be a tight fit for her, she nods. "Even so, we should make the effort to take on the orcs inside, not to mention that ogre. Such a vile thing should not be allowed to live in the same world as the good, righteous people that I am sworn to protect. That rock slide has not changed my resolve to face the ogre, just my way into the tunnels. Let us be on our way before our foes find another way out and escape us."

 

[Dicer]

Veskassdak looked around at the mammals gathered around. He recognized the short fur faced mammal that they met at the camp. Then his anger flared as he recognized the mammal cheater. He moved casually next to it and placed a claw on its shoulder and lightly pressed the tips of his claw into the shoulder just enough so the mammal would know if it pulled away, it would leave a nasty chunk of flesh behind.
"Hello, friend old," he said as sweetly as his voice would allow. "Ssseeing you good. Remember lesssson taught you by."
Leaning closer so his next words were only heard by the mammal, he continued, "Were timing not bad would give lesssson you learn by me. Try cheat again me, will fassce eat you. No cheat again or nissce asss thisss nexsst not happening."
Standing to his full height he released the mammal's shoulder with only a few drops of blood welling up from where the tips of his claw had broken the skin, Veskassdak added as he parted, "Good sssee not you nexsst." Turning he walked back to Wren and felt relief at the realization that she had gotten out safely.
After hearing what she said, he commented as he looked at the cheating mammal, "Hmm, tight fit me for to get in way out got you. Go bessst now before sssomething unwissse, like anger blood fill, me do."

Spoiler

Might require an intimidate check (intimidate +7) to make it stick in his mind.

 

[Silanon]

Spoiler: Wren Stealth

9+12

Bjarni waves at the approaching sorcerer, a reserved smile hidden underneath his already quite impressive beard. "Good to see yar alive, Baird - didn't think I'd meet ya here. Things are looking bloody damn grim - heard we're taking heavy losses, and da damn Forgotten are even badlier off. Heard Shaona led the attack personally, and now she's trapped in the lower city, stuck between multiple armies of orcs and gobs. And da fine lords don't do anything, with this noble exception here." The dwarf spits out, and seems inclined to continue his rant - however, he gets deistracted. Apparently, someone saw a movement on the cliff, and soliders grab their weapons. The hectic stops rather quickly, though, as soon as it becomes apparent that the woman climbing downwards is a human, and not a threat. Still, the lord asks the one, feared question: "Who is that?" Wren can certainly feel the lord's gaze in this very moment, as if it'd go right through her hood - but as there is no immediate reaction, that's probably just her own fears playing with her.

Before anyone else can answer, Bjarni already offers an explanation. "One of our scouts, mylord, just like the other few here. Wren's the name, I think. Were supposed to take a look at the bastion, and apparently found somethin' here." Io nods in agreement. "We met Whitehair on the way, and followed the track of one of his friends. Might be stuck down there." Rather unintentionally, both draw the lord's attention to themselves. The man takes a moment to think, then shakes his head. "She'll be fine. We can't begin to clear every little cave along the way, there's a battle waiting for us."

Bjarni seems to be inclined to get you more help than that. "Maybe just a couple of soldiers? Whitehair and I wouldn't forget that, y'know..." As the mage's name is mentioned once more, Lord Petaccio seems to pause for a moment, considering whether a bit of gratitude is worth the loss of a few of his fighters. If you wish to get additional help, this would be the time to try and convince him that more swords and bows are needed.

Spoiler: Check for Veskassdak

Intimidation 20+7

Meanwhile, there is another conversation going on - a few steps away from the general attention. It's quite obvious that Zvolov is less than happy with meeting you here, as he already tries to back up before the lizard man can get closer - without success. As claws dig their way through his skin, he stumbles, way less eloquent than when you met him earlier. "I-I wasn't sure you'd really need them... you know, the Forgotten make use of them as well, and you didn't look like... thought it couldn't hurt if I got a few more coins... now I know better, of course... maybe take these, as a compensation?" The man hastily brings out half a dozen, seemingly random potions from his pockets, handing them over to Veskassdak. He even takes one of them back and replaces it with a similar-looking one, an apologetical smile on his lips. "Not this one - doesn't do anything, you know... better take this one... good luck out there, see you around..." As the lizard man turns around, Zvolov quickly jumps backwards, doing his best to keep distance. "Should have looked for ingredients later on..." is all you get to hear from him before he vanishes behind a larger group of soldiers.You can't be sure that the potions will be of any help - but you can certainly be sure that he won't try to fool you again.

 

[Dicer]

Taking the potions the now scared alchemist handed over, he would let Baird figure out what they did later. He still did not trust that mammal and they could be poison for all he knew, but from the reaction, he knew that it would not try cheating him again. That is if the mammal did not flee at the first sight of Veskassdak. The thought of seeing the cheater running from him in times to come brought a cold, crocodile-like smile to his lips.

 

[Psychie]

Renna turns to look at the Lord and offers up a bow. "Greetings, M'Lord. I am sure that the threat posed by an ogre, the orc shaman and the leader is well worth the temporary loss of a few soldiers. A couple of good archers could make a real difference inside the caves, and their loss on the main battlefield will be negligible. I wouldn't want to remove more loyal soldiers from your ranks than that."