Session 12

[17:20] <DM_Dox> <DM_Dox> ---
[17:20] <DM_Dox> As the battle comes to an end, the two engineers heasitantly peek out of the side tunnel.
[17:20] <DM_Dox> <DM_Dox> The climb up a ladder to the elevated platform and get ready to start their work.
[17:20] <@Akali> Akali finishes destressing a little quicker than might be expected of her, standing herself back up straight and looking to Neera and gesturing to the gnoll she'd downed.  "Collect its ears.  We're getting out of here."  She almost sounds like an entirely different person,  She heads off to fetch her glaive and the rest of the ears.
[17:20] <Shey> "I'd rather we not have to have new fights with them even more prepared, tomorrow." Is Shey's only response to Akali as she sets up to keep watch over the engineers during their hour.
[17:20] <DM_Dox> Toradello looks to Akali, confused. "Wait, you mean to leave this job undone? But we're right here!"
[17:22] <@Akali> Akali fires Toradello an icy glare, raising her voice, "I said we're leaving.  And we are."  Akali briefly glances to each of the others, not a hint of a smirk or humor to her demeanor as she turns to walk back the way they came.  She hefts her club over her left shoulder in one hand while carrying her glaive in the other.
[17:22] <DM_Dox> Matt seems confused. "Whoa, what crawled up your ass?"
[17:23] <DM_Dox> Toradello stands his ground, looking angry. "And I say we're not leaving. If you want to run off now go ahead, but I don't leave my work half finished."
[17:23] <Neera> Neera bends down to do as they're commanded, but stops to go after the Jogan woman. "Akali, cease this."
[17:23] <Ravanya> "Akali, please. We can't go now."
[17:24] <Shey> Shey sticks near the engineers. "I don't want to do this all over again."
[17:25] <DM_Dox> Tora looks to Shey and shakes his head. "Next time will be four times worse. This is the only tunnel left. If we give them time to respond they'll defend this spot far harder."
[17:27] <Shey> "I'd say get started, while we try and sort this out," Shey tells him, speaking low.
[17:28] <DM_Dox> Tora responds, lowering his voice even more. "I've seen her fighting. Forgive me, but I'd rather not turn my back to her when she's angry."
[17:29] <@Akali> Akali keeps taking determined steps, not slowing even with the appeals of her companions.  "I made one stupid mistake today, I'm not making another by letting us remain.  We need to rest.  That child and the low life can remain if they so desire."
[17:30] <Shey> "I think she's set on leaving. So I'd recommend beginning. You may be down one protector rather quickly." Shey places herself between Akali and the engineers.
[17:32] <Ravanya> Ravanya turns to the engineers. "I agree with Shey. We'll deal with Akali. The quicker you get started, the quicker we can actually leave."
[17:33] <Neera> The shorter Crusader speeds up to match Akali's gait, positioning themselves in the woman's path. "What exactly is the meaning of this? We're not going anywhere."
[17:33] <DM_Dox> Tora looks unconvinced, but nods. "Alright. We'll trust you on this. You know her better than us."
[17:33] <DM_Dox> The two engineers start working, sending occsional looks in Akali's direction.
[17:34] <Ravanya> "Do you think Neera can talk her down?" Ravanya says to Shey quietly.
[17:35] <Shey> "No idea." Shey murmurs in return. "I was never expecting to deal with a 'serious' Akali."
[17:39] <@Akali> As Neera passes her, she'd find those two streams of blood pouring down her face again, meeting at her chin and dribbling down her clothes.  She glares to Neera just as coldly as she'd done to Tora, her gaze carrying a hefty sense of animosity and disgust.  "Step aside and form on me, idiot.  We're not risking our lives just to get this job done one evening earlier.  The path out should
[17:39] <@Akali> be clear now, and likely won't be in a hour.  I need rest. "
[17:40] <Shey> "Maybe you should try to help Neera." Shey looks to Ravanya. "I've not known either of those two to be very good at anything but antagonizing others."
[17:42] <Neera> "You need to start thinking straight," Neera corrects her, refusing to budge. "You have an hour to rest. That's enough. Now turn around, unless you intend to move me out of your way."
[17:43] <Ravanya> Ravanya nod, taking a silent gulp before quickly heading up to stand beside Neera, turning to look at Akali. "Akali, please listen. We have to get this job done. More time means more opposition. Perhaps you can take refuge in the empty passageway and rest awhile while the engineers work."
[17:52] <@Akali> The Jogan woman stares down at Neera for some time, towering over her, not doing a thing to wipe away her flowing blood which continues to drip.  She then drops her club, which crashes to the stone floor thunderously, then slides back as she takes an offensive stance with her naginata, staring down its point.  "I'm not playing.  Either come along or leave me the fuck alone."   And then
[17:52] <@Akali> we reorder things and Ravy -now- ran up to stand beside Neera, which gives Akali pause, her glare softening just a touch.  "Why are you insisting so?  WHY not come back tomorrow and face this all at full strength?  If you want me to rest in there, I'm resting the rest of the night."
[17:56] <Ravanya> "I'm sure you'll change your mind after the engineers are finished and we can get out of here for good." Ravanya gave Akali a soft concerned smile. "Come on. You can take a rest and I'll see if I can't do something for that head wound of yours."
[17:56] <Neera> Neera's lip twitches at the sight of the weapon raised against them, but they make no move to draw one for themselves. "Move away, Ravanya. Akali wishes to demonstrate to us all what a coward does when confronted with opposition." The Orc's gaze does not leave the taller woman even as they warn the bard off. "Now, are you going to prove me right? Cut me down. I am defenseless. Prove to me how much of a coward you are."
[17:57] <Ravanya> "Neera please, theres no need for that!" Ravanya does not move away as ordered.
[17:58] <Neera> "I said step back. Now."
[18:00] <Ravanya> "Listen to me now! I will not have you fighting one another!" She says with a determined look, standing her ground. "It is not worth it! We're fri-companions! We shouldn't be like this!"
[18:02] <Shey> Shey doesn't move from the engineers, but she puts the ring to her forehead. <I'd listen to the bard.> She's quite ready to shoot Akali if she puts anyone in danger.
[18:02] <@Akali> Akali glances back and forth between Neera and Ravanya, her expression unchanged, almost emotionless.   She draws back, standing herself back up straight as she lifts her glaive.  "My wound is my own.  You're not touching it."  With that, she turns and heads back down the aqueduct to the hidden passage, lifting the grate up and throwing it across the room before ducking and climbing
[18:02] <@Akali> inside, rounding a corner before slumping against a wall.
[18:04] <Neera> Neera does not move from their post until Akali has clambered into the passageway.
[18:04] <@Akali> Akali totally grabbed her club, too.
[18:04] <Neera> "You did not need to do that," they say to Rav after a moment. "She would not have struck me."
[18:06] <Shey> "We're fine." Shey tells the Engineers. "The clanging was Akali. She's sticking it out."
[18:06] <Ravanya> Ravanya watches Akali leave then turns to frown at Neera's comment. "You're so sure? She isn't herself right now. Besides, we shouldn't be acting like that in the first place. Not everything requires a harsh hand."
[18:08] <Neera> "She is a warrior," Neera shrugs simply. "As am I. We understand the language of action, not words. Now, I need to... rest a moment."
[18:08] <Neera> The crusader begins trudging back to where the engineers are at work.
[18:09] <Ravanya> Ravanya groans softly, rubbing at her temple as she stays put for a moment. "Those two are just like..."She mumbles to herself before going silent. Before long she steps back over to Shey.
[18:12] <DM_Dox> The engineers keep working, quieter than normal.
[18:12] <@Akali> Were someone to peek, even sleeping Akali looks angry!  Waking her is probably a bad idea.
[18:13] <Neera> Neera, meanwhile, has slumped against one of the sewer walls, still conscious but visibly the worse for wear.
[18:16] <DM_Dox> An hour passes, and the sounds of the engineers working ceases. Tora gives the patch one last inspection before turning to the others. "We're done here."
[18:17] <Shey> "How well are these patches going to hold against a horde of gnolls, anyway?" Shey asks, looking at the sealed breach.
[18:18] <Ravanya> "Good work." Rav nods to the two engineers with a smile- then hears shey's comment. "Hmn, that is a good question."
[18:19] <DM_Dox> The breach is obviously different from the rest of the wall, but looks sturdy enough. Tora replies, "It should hold off for a while. A week at least. They can only have one or two beasts working to break it from the other side at a time, so their numbers are no concern.
[18:22] <Neera> Neera pushes themselves to their feet, beginning towards the opening of the secret passage. "I'll wake Akali. I'm sure she's eager to go."
[18:22] <Shey> "You could use the ring. Then you won't actually have to take a swing from her." Shey suggests, checking her bowstring.
[18:24] <Neera> Neera manages a dry chuckle, shambling up to the grate and shouting down the tunnel. "Akali! We're moving out!"
[18:25] <@Akali> Like that would wake her.  At most, her eyebrow twitches.
[18:26] <Ravanya> "Perhaps not the best approach..."
[18:26] <Shey> <Akali, let's go. Time to get out of here.> Shey tries the ring, then turns to the engineers. "I don't suppose there's a quicker way to the surface from here?"
[18:27] <@Akali> It's quite possible Akali removed her ring.
[18:27] <DM_Dox> Tora shakes his head. "The shortcut through the spider territory is the fastest way."
[18:27] <Neera> When there's no response, Neera fumes at the entry point. "I swear, if I have to drag her out..."
[18:28] <Shey> "I'll go in." Shey offers. "You're liable to get stuck."
[18:28] <Ravanya> "Are you sure? I could do it."
[18:29] <Neera> "Shey can go," Neera asserts. "Just don't either of you lose another eye."
[18:29] <Ravanya> Ravanya slumps her shoulders a bit, that feeling of uselessness biting at her ankles.
[18:30] <Shey> Shey ducks down the passage until she comes to Akali, nudging the woman with her boot. "Hey, let's go."
[18:34] <@Akali> On approach, Shey could see in the very dim blue light that the blood on Akali's face had dried, and among her bangs were two tiny points that seemed to reflect light particularly well.  She opens her eyes upon feeling the boot, blinking a few times before slowly turning her head to look up at Shey.  "You're aware of how bad an idea this is... I know you aren't completely stupid.  If we
[18:34] <@Akali> find another fight on the way out, you won't.  You won't like it.  None of you will.  I need to rest."
[18:36] <Shey> "We wait too long, and some gnoll patrol we missed on the long way through is going to find us hunkered down. Especially with the noise we've been making." Shey offers. "I don't think you can get enough good rest in you before that happens."
[18:36] <Ravanya> Rav is quiet for a moment, but her eyes slowly look to Neera, noticing the wear from the last battle. She rummages through her bag, pulling out a wand of lesser vigor. "Uh, Neera. You look like you could use some healing before we start walking."
[18:37] <@Akali> "Then we should have left earlier.  When I demanded.  I didn't do so without reason," Akali quickly replies,  voice ever so slightly raised.  "i don't enjoy being like this.  I'm more than this.  I don't want to descend further into this."
[18:38] <Neera> The Orc grits their teeth at the thought, but sighs in concession. "That would not be a bad idea."
[18:39] <Shey> "I don't think you were entirely wrong for what you said before, but, thing is, they were prepared for us this time and they had only a guess of where we were going. If we left and tried to come back, they'd know damn well right where we'd be." Shey offers a hand, standing to her feet. "I don't want to know what a rougher sewer ambush would look like, do you?"
[18:40] <Ravanya> She smiles a bit before aiming her wand to heal up her orc companion. She tries to think of something to say to not be in awkward silence with Neera. "Sorry. About yelling earlier. Though I suppose it just sounded like a chirp to you."
[18:42] <Neera> Neera actually barks out a laugh. "That was yelling? I will have to show you the proper technique sometime."
[18:42] <Neera> They are probably trying to make a joke.
[18:43] <Ravanya> Ravanya giggles despite herself. "It will be an honor to learn from a master of the art."
[18:43] <@Akali> "We'd handle it."  Akali looks back down, disregarding the offered hand as she achingly stands herself back up.  "I don't think you understand.  I thought you were more studied.  You won't like it if we find a fight."  Akali picks up her club and naginata, which she had left leaning against the wall beside her, then starts stepping out the other way.
[18:44] <Shey> "I never like when we find a fight, lately." Shey confirms, following the woman.
[18:45] <Neera> "We will have time once we are out of this glorified puddle." Neera turns back to Tora and Matt. "Are you prepared to move out?"
[18:45] <DM_Dox> Tora nods. "Ready and eager.
[18:46] <Ravanya> "We shouldnt be much longer." Rav says as she tries peeking into the passage.
[18:47] <@Akali> When Akali steps into more proper light, it would be incredibly difficult not to notice the tiny horns atop her forehead, gleaming bone white with tinges of blood.  Akali does at least bother to start cleaning up her dried blood, weapons properly stowed.
[18:48] <Shey> Shey's eyes flicker up to the horns, but back and away immediately. "Back the way we came, there's no light, and possibly more spiders. We should probably stick together, unless someone else has something to help me see."
[18:49] <DM_Dox> Tora shakes his head. "Not without revealing you as well."
[18:51] <Shey> "Then we should stick together, I'd say." Shey sighs.
[18:52] <DM_Dox> "Very well. Lead the way."
[18:53] <Neera> "I would prefer to move as a unit anyway," Neera spares a glance at Akali's horns but says nothing of them as they begin to walk back the way they came.
[18:54] <Neera> "I'll take point. Shey, stay close."
[18:56] <Shey> Shey draws her bow and, without complaint, sticks near Neera.
[18:57] <@Akali> Akali brings up the rear without word, as ominously emotionless as she was before.
[18:57] <Neera> The Crusader draws their weapon, imbuing it with a magical glow before leading the way down the passage.
[18:58] <Ravanya> Ravanya feels a little awkward, having the still fuming Akali behind her, and stays quiet.
[18:59] <@Akali> Akali isn't exactly fuming, but it could be inrepreted that way!
[19:00] <Ravanya> Ravanya certainly does interpret it this way.
[19:00] <DM_Dox> The group moves as a unit back the way they came.
[19:02] <DM_Dox> The trip is rather uneventful... right up until they reach the hallway where the spiders were.
[19:03] <DM_Dox> The spiders are already trying to reclaim that hallway, tiny ones crawling around on the walls and spinning new webs.
[19:04] <DM_Dox> The moment the adventurers appear however, the tiny spiders cease, all at once. Between them, the adventurer's feel the scrutiny of thousands of tiny eyes upon them.
[19:04] <DM_Dox> They stare, motionless, for a full three seconds.
[19:04] <Shey> Shey keeps her attention moving from the small spiders to watching the ceiling for ambushes.
[19:05] <@Akali> Akali takes her glaive into her left hand and draws her blunderbuss in her right.
[19:07] <Neera> Neera's hammer is at the ready; they do not slow down on their way through the pass.
[19:07] <DM_Dox> As one, the spiders shift, flowing over the walls almost like a liquid, moving away from the adventurers and down a side passage.
[19:08] <DM_Dox> Tora looks terrified. "We--we don't need to go that way. Quickly, quickly now!" He starts sprinting forward, threatening to get ahead of the rest of the group."
[19:10] <Neera> Neera catches the engineer by the shoulder firmly. "Just stay calm and close, little man."
[19:10] <Shey> "What's the rush?" Shey demands.
[19:10] <DM_Dox> Down the side passage the spiders fled down, there's another sound. A deep, hollow clanking. Almost armor like. It is getting closer.
[19:11] <Neera> Neera keeps moving, walking at a full stride now.
[19:11] <DM_Dox> Tora is unable to move once Neera catches him. He just shakes his head. "Bigger ones. If we run we can pass them!"
[19:11] <Shey> Shey picks up the pace.
[19:12] <Neera> Neera lets him go, breaking into a run. "You all heard him. Move it!"
[19:12] <@Akali> Akali slings her blunderbuss and steps past Neera and the others, keeping up with Shey.
[19:12] <DM_Dox> "Don't need t' tell me twice!" Matt breaks into a run.
[19:13] <Ravanya> Rav is quick to follow everyone else in picking up speed.
[19:17] <@Akali> "Matt.  Might need your flames.  Phase spider," Akali slows to let Ravanya pass, but doesn't care much for the engineers.  "It can control all those tiny ones if it so wishes.  Its venom is... You don't want to get bitten."
[19:19] <DM_Dox> Matt tries to keep up, but seems to be lagging a bit. He's breathing heavily, blinking slowly.
[19:20] <Shey> Shey puts on the brakes, slowing her speed to get back to Matt, looping a hand around his waist to pull him along.
[19:21] <DM_Dox> The sound gets closer and closer, the clanking getting more and more frequent. The group dashes past the side-hallway. Any looking down it would see a set of eight baleful glowing eyes watching them, approaching rapidly.
[19:21] <Neera> Neera does not, and cannot afford to slow their pace whatever, keeping their eyes fixed ahead.
[19:22] <@Akali> Without warning Akali very simply scoops Ravanya up, holding her to her side with one arm, running her a ways down the hall before setting her down again and slowing to move towards the rear once more.  "Run faster."  Akali looks to Shey, "Don't."
[19:22] <DM_Dox> A tendril of web shoots out from the hallway.
[19:23] <Ravanya> "Ah!!" Rav tries her best to do as she was told, moving her legs as fast as they'd carry her.
[19:24] <DM_Dox> Like a sticky rope, it rushes out toward Shey.
[19:25] <DM_Dox> It slams into her chest, wrapping around her, threatening to pin her arms to her side.
[19:25] <@Akali> Akali slows to a stop, expression still unchanged.  She charges back Shey's way.
[19:26] <Neera> Neera slams to a halt, groaning a curse in Dal and taking up a fighting stance.
[19:27] <Ravanya> Rav has grinds to a stop before turning back.
[19:29] <DM_Dox> The spider is still approaching at the same time it tries to pull Shey back from the web tendril. The creature is massive, probably almost 20' wide, with red chiten, eight glowing green eyes, covered in horrible looking spikes.
[19:29] <DM_Dox> http://akizhao.deviantart.com/art/Spider-107947922
[19:41] <Shey> Shey fishes one of the daggers from the first set of gnolls out and lashes out at the string of webbing on her chest, aiming to sever it.
[19:45] <DM_Dox> The web is thick and not compeltely solid. The dagger just sinks into it, not doing much damage.
[19:46] <Shey> Frustrated, Shey pushes Matt away from her, trying to keep him out of line of sight with the spider.
[19:47] <DM_Dox> Matt stumbles away.
[19:47] <Ravanya> Ravanya's voice echoes in the hallway as she works to inspire her companions in the fight. She moves to the other wall and back closer to shey, hoping to get a look at the spider
[19:49] <Neera> Urged on by the bard's song, Neera summons their shield spell and begins rushing in to help Shey.
[19:51] <DM_Dox> The spider starts reeling in Shey, pulling the web back with its forelegs.
[19:52] <DM_Dox> The spider can't get a good grip for some reason, while Shey digs her heels into the ground. She only moves slightly.
[19:53] <DM_Dox> The spider creeps forward ominously.
[19:54] <DM_Dox> Still dazed and confused, perhaps not fully aware of his surroundings, Matt turns toward Shey and extends his hands in a now familiar formation, thumbs touching, fingers splayed.
[19:55] <DM_Dox> Unable to spare Shey from the flames, Matt's spell does at least burn away the silk rope.
[19:55] <DM_Dox> The spider's eyes shift. It looks to Matt.
[19:56] <DM_Dox> Tora hangs back, drawing his pistol. He looks like he's considering fleeing.
[20:02] <@Akali> Seeing that Shey had been freed, Akali eases her stance and stays where she is, seeming to have to concentrate for a bit longer than usual before managing to summon forth her glowing golden shield, Arcane lightning crackling off of it as it slowly forms.  "Get back, Shey."  She then brings her naginata back to bare, casting a spell into it, infusing it with a bit of her life energy.
[20:07] <Shey> Shey nocks a single arrow, letting it fly at the spider before moving out of the way of the heavier hitters of the group.
[20:09] <DM_Dox> The arrow pings off the sider's hide harmlessly, producing a mettalic ringing sound.
[20:15] <Neera> Rushing past Shey as she retreats, Neera steals up to the edge of the side-corridor, focusing on making their next attack count.
[20:16] <DM_Dox> Seeing its webbing burned away, the spider lunges forward, lashing out at the first thing it sees with its fangs. That just happens to be Neera.
[20:18] <DM_Dox> The creature sinks its fangs into Neera. Venom burns in the wound, but they fight it off.
[20:18] <DM_Dox> Matt seems to be delirious. He stumbles away, reaching around in his pocket for something.
[20:20] <Ravanya> As soon as she can see it, Rav casts another of her musical spells. Glitter starts to appear around the spider's eyes.
[20:21] <DM_Dox> The glitter splats into the spider's eyes. It shrieks in pain.
[20:22] <DM_Dox> Tora backs away. "Run! Don't fight it!"
[20:23] <@Akali> As soon as the glitter hits the spider, Akali lunges a few feet forward and stabs her naginata straight into its face.  There's no flourish to her attack like her usual, just a cold thrust followed by an immediate retreat.
[20:27] <Shey> Seeing the spider blinded by Ravanya, she agrees with Tora's assessment. "Keep moving!"
[20:31] <Neera> "Not just yet." Their insight paying off, Neera steps to the spider's side, taking a massive swing at the creature's front supporting leg. Their hammer illuminates with a mighty burst of divine energy.
[20:32] <DM_Dox> The hammer impacting the spider's leg makes a sickening CRACK sound--but still the beast's leg remains, albeit with a nasty looking crack in its shell.
[20:32] <DM_Dox> And with that, the beast suddenly vanishes.
[20:33] <DM_Dox> Just... gone.
[20:33] <@Akali> "-Phase- spider," Akali reiterates, taking up a defensive stance just beside Ravanya.
[20:36] <@Akali> "It could come through the wall, it could even get behind us, though that's unlikely... Run.  It's even slower on the ethereal plane."
[20:37] <Ravanya> "We should go now!"
[20:38] <Neera> Neera watches, astonished, as their foe vanishes from beneath their strike.
[20:40] <Shey> "Run, now!" Shey snags the stumbling Matt by the waist and tries to pull him along.
[20:40] <Ravanya> Rav turns and hightails it out of there.
[20:40] <DM_Dox> Matt is still delirious, still trying to find something in his pockets. Shey can hear him mumbling, "I had one more..."
[20:41] <@Akali> Akali runs right behind Ravanya, prepared to pick her up and run her if need be.
[20:41] <Neera> Neera whips around to follow behind them.
[20:41] <Shey> "We'll get you more when we get out of here. Try and focus on that, okay?" Shey says, pulling him along.
[20:42] <DM_Dox> He stumbles along with Shey, slowing her down only slightly.
[20:42] <@Akali> "Shey, I will kill him myself if you let him slow you down again."
[20:43] <Shey> "Well, that would make all my struggling pointless. So I'd rather you didn't." Shey's response is oddly chipper for the situation.
[20:47] <Neera> Catching up, Neera tosses Matt over their shoulder without much consideration for his comfort. "No time for this."
[20:48] <Shey> "Thanks!" Shey says, releasing Matt to keep in step with Neera. Especially in case she drops him.
[20:49] <DM_Dox> Matt grunts, but doesn't object.
[20:51] <Neera> "Just keep moving," Neera grunts back. The Dal does not so much as think about looking back.
[20:51] <DM_Dox> ---