Part 4: Under the Gold Goblin: Session 15

[15:51] <@Kilarra> *****Second Darkness*****
[15:51] <@Kilarra> ~~~Chapter 1: Shadow in the Sky~~~
[15:51] <@Kilarra> -Session 15-
[15:53] <@Kilarra> Valnar ordered a charge, although the shape of the caves makes that difficult. They don't have to go far though, as, preceeded by a stench and a lot of noise, five more troglodytes rush through a passage just ahead towards the party.
[15:54] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Bah, Damned things don't know when to quit do they."
[15:56] <@Kilarra> Kwava, having kept to the rear, comes to a halt and lines up a shot against the first trog in sight, hoping to drop one before the rest could even reach the remaining party members.
[15:56] <@Kilarra> With one shot through the chest and another in the neck, the first troglodyte falls, only to be stepped over by his compatriots.
[15:59] * Kilarra stays a few paces back from Valnar and readies her whip to try and trip any Trog that attempted to flank him
[16:00] * Valnar_Quartzheart moves up to face the first Trog that he can see, and pulls his weapon up above his head, readying himself for a powerful attack.
[16:02] <@Kilarra> The Troglodyte screeches as Valnar gives it a might rend, but doesn't see quite ready to fall yet.
[16:04] * Katarina brings her bow up to aim, firing an arrow at two of the rushing trogs before they close in to Valnar.
[16:06] <@Kilarra> Katarina's first shot flies wide, but the second pegs one of the trogs hard in the leg
[16:07] <@Kilarra> The four remaining trots forgo any attempt at ranged combat and attempt to rush the first enemy they can reach. Namely, Valnar. The first one swings his blub right at the dwarf's face
[16:07] <@Kilarra> But it just bounces off his helmet
[16:07] <@Kilarra> The second attempts to strike Valnar from the side, but...
[16:08] * Kilarra is ready for him, and cracks her whip
[16:09] <@Kilarra> Kilarra's skillful whipstrike coils around the trog's leg and drops him to the ground, leaving him prone
[16:09] <@Kilarra> Kilarra isn't quite fast enough to stop all of them though, and the remaining two attempt to beat on the dwarf some more
[16:10] <@Kilarra> One of them gets lucky and manages to club Valnar on the nose, one of the few exposed parts of him.
[16:12] <@Kilarra> Kwava takes advantage of the tripped trog and attempts to make a pincushion out of him
[16:13] <@Kilarra> The Troglodye screeches in pain and, having already been shot once by Katarina, ceases to be a threat.
[16:14] * Kilarra steps in next to Valnar and places a hand on the first Troglodyte that he hit, "This is gonna hurt." She pumps him full of negative energy
[16:15] <@Kilarra> The Troglodyte is unable to resist the channeled energy, and falls to the ground, smouldering.
[16:16] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the one on the right of him and pulls his axe around readying yet another powerful attack.
[16:17] <@Kilarra> The Troglodyte shriek's as he's nearly torn clean in two, clutching its wounds
[16:19] * Katarina drops her bow, due to the increased difficulty of shooting into melee combat, and quickly pulls her falchion out of its scabbard. She charges forward, bringing the falchion up high and down upon the last trog's head.
[16:19] <@Kilarra> Katarina cleanly removes that head from its shoulders
[16:20] * Katarina breathes a sigh of relief and sheathes her blade, moving to retrieve her bow and torch.
[16:22] <@Kilarra> The wounded trog stumbles backwards, dropping it's club and attempting to grope along the side of the cave away from the people who killed the rest of the group
[16:22] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks over the battle scene and is quite happy that no one got hurt, except for the trogs of course.
[16:23] * Katarina frowns at the stumbling trog, looking to the rest of the group. "Sh-should w-we l-let it g-go?"
[16:24] * Kilarra smirks at the retreating trog, "I'd be tempted to kill that last one for the stink alone, but frankly, I need a breather." She taps Valnar on the shoulder.
[16:24] * Valnar_Quartzheart "You want me to kill it?"
[16:28] * Kilarra shakes her head, "Actually, I was thinking, aside from wanting to get away from the stink for a bit, we might want to check that other tunnel. There's been nothing but reptiles down here."
[16:29] * Valnar_Quartzheart nods his head, and starts down the tunnel waiting for the others to follow
[16:29] <@Kilarra> Kwava keeps his bow out and sticks by Katarina, just in case there was anything else coming from that direction
[16:30] * Katarina stands guard with Kwava, her bow out.
[16:32] <@Kilarra> The eastern path from the original junction leads about the same distance west as the previously followed path did east, except that this one comes to a dead end in a small cave. This small cave holds a still pool. A lack of water marks on the walls indicates no tidal action, and the stony shore is unmarked by debris.
[16:33] <@Kilarra> Slumped against the wall facing the pool is a skeleton garbed in the rotten tatters of a navy coat. Its hollow eyes stare sightlessly into the pool, and its bony knuckles clutch at a rusty sword blade that protrudes from its sternum.
[16:33] * Kilarra frowns at the sight of the skeleton, "Someone had a run of bad luck down here."
[16:36] * Katarina nods and looks around, moving closer to the pool while keeping her bow out. With no other pathways, and as Katarina doesn't really want to inspect the skeleton, she looks for anything of note in the water.
[16:36] <@Kilarra> Kwava seats himself near the entrance to the still cave. "It seems that this path was not the correct one after all. Still, it seems like a chance for a moment of respite before we continue."
[16:37] <@Kilarra> The pool is about six feet deep and it is difficult to see the bottom through the murk.
[16:37] * Kilarra chuckles at Katarina, "Looking for buried treasure?"
[16:38] * Katarina shakes her head and frowns. "N-no..." Finding treasure would be nice though.
[16:38] * Kilarra shrugs and picks up a rock, "Let there be light." The pebble shines with as much light as the torch Katarina was carrying. She flicks it into the pool.
[16:39] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks at the light, very intriguing.
[16:39] * Katarina 's eyes follow the path of the rock, looking down into the pool.
[16:40] <@Kilarra> Katarina, with help from the lit stone, can seen the stone bottom of the pool, and the glint of gold spilling out the sides of a rotten chest. There is also another body at the bottom.
[16:41] * Katarina blinks and smirks, turning to blow a raspberry at Kilarra. "Th-there's treasure d-down in the p-pool..."
[16:41] <@Kilarra> As Katarina looks on, the body moves. It's gaze falls upon the glowing stone that disturbed its pool. It begins to rise.
[16:41] * Kilarra chuckles, "That so? Gonna grab it then?"
[16:42] * Katarina turns her attention back to the skeleton, "U-uh... w-well... th-the skeleton d-down there i-is moving."
[16:43] * Kilarra 's face immediately turns to a fury unlike any she's previous demonstrated; "WHAT?!" She immediately stands up, whip out.
[16:44] * Katarina nods. "I'm n-not sure I c-could hit it w-with it b-being underwater..."
[16:45] * Kilarra looks into the pool and glares intensely, "Get back. That's a wight!"
[16:45] * Valnar_Quartzheart "A What?"
[16:46] * Kilarra glowers, "Just get back. Do not let it touch you!"
[16:46] * Katarina sits up and moves back as told, her bow ready if the skeleton were to exit the pool.
[16:47] <@Kilarra> Kwava steps back as well, readying an arrow.
[16:47] <@Kilarra> The wight shambles out of the pool, it's hands raised as though to strangle someone. It draws a raspy, unnatural breath
[16:48] <@Kilarra> Kwava reacts first, taking a single shot
[16:50] <@Kilarra> The arrow sticks in the barely present flesh of the Wight, but seems to have little effect
[16:50] * Valnar_Quartzheart begins to step back near to where his friends are.
[16:51] * Kilarra steps forward and raises her whip, which surges with divine energy. She forgoes her usual taunting of any kind and simply lashes out with the positively charged whip
[16:52] <@Kilarra> Kilarra's burst of positive energy seems to do a lot more harm to the undead creature than Kwava's arrow did. It gives a shriek, but doesn't retreat.
[16:53] * Valnar_Quartzheart readys a powerful attack, hoping to kill the damned thing.
[16:54] <@Kilarra> Valnar's mighty axe blow split's the undead abomination's skull clean in two, felling it.
[16:54] * Kilarra is taking no chances, and strikes the corpse again with her whip, infused with positive energy
[16:54] <@Kilarra> The undead body disintegrates.
[16:55] * Kilarra pants, but still looks furious, kicking the pile of dust into the pool with a hoof.
[16:55] * Katarina taps Kilarra lightly on her shoulder. "A-are y-you a-alright?"
[16:56] * Kilarra stomps just outside the room and huffs, "Grab that loot if you want it, but I am not waiting around. If we're dealing with a necromancer here, then I am not wasting any time."
[16:57] * Kilarra looks back, "Wights are undead animated by fury and wrath, so either that guy died with an angry soul, or we have -much- bigger problems here than I thought."
[16:58] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Bah, Damned things."
[16:59] * Katarina nods and puts her weaponry into a small pile along with the torch. Following the light of the rock Kilarra lit earlier, Katarina dives into the pool to attempt to bring up some of the treasure.
[16:59] * Kilarra shoots a look back at Valnar, "Like you wouldn't believe."
[17:00] <@Kilarra> The chest that contained the treasure is small, but rotten through the sides. Katarina could sweep the entire pile into her arms easily enough though, or shovel it into her pack for later counting.
[17:01] * Katarina shoves it into her pack, as Kilarra had wanted her to hurry. As she does, she swims back up to the surface. Shaking off some of the water and picking up her weapons and torch, she follows out of the room.
[17:01] <@Kilarra> There's a number of gold coins, two large rubies, a gold statue and a crystal wand.
[17:02] <@Kilarra> Kwava helps Katarina out of the pool and picks his bow back up, "She seems to have some personal demons here, but she is right. If we face a necromancer, then we had best make haste before any further plans she may have can come to fruition."
[17:05] * Katarina nods. "Th-then let's h-hurry."
[17:06] * Valnar_Quartzheart agrees
[17:06] * Kilarra has taken the lead this time, not waiting for the dwarven meat shield to get ahead of her. She was doing a piss poor job of containing her anger at the presence of even a single undead creature
[17:07] * Katarina doesn't like this. She taps on Kilarra's shoulder and signals for her to stop.
[17:07] * Kilarra turns around, "What?"
[17:08] <Katarina> "Y-you're a-angry, b-but... w-we need t-to be careful." She looks to Valnar. "H-he needs to l-lead, a-and if you d-die because of r-recklessness, th-then th-that won't h-help put an e-end to a-any necromancer..."
[17:09] * Valnar_Quartzheart nods and leads on.
[17:10] * Kilarra stops, then takes a deep break. She pulls her holy symbol out from between her cleavage and grasps it tightly, the points digging into her palm. "Calistria, help me contain my anger so that I might wreak a proper retribution upon this potential defiler." She takes another deep breath, then another, seeming to calm. She slips her holy symbol away and reopens her eyes. "Alright. Thanks." She keeps her whip out, but lets Valnar reta
[17:11] <@Kilarra> -retake the lead.
[17:12] <@Kilarra> Valnar eventually returns to the spot littered with troglodyte corpses. There is a small chamber to the left, a passage to the right, and a thin crevice directly in front of them that would be a tight squeeze even for the slender Kilarra.
[17:14] <Katarina> "Wh-which way, V-Valnar?"
[17:17] * Valnar_Quartzheart heads for the small chamber.
[17:17] <@Kilarra> This small, close side cavern is heavy with a reptilian stench. A number of pieces of bone and shiny bits of quartz lie on the floor.
[17:18] * Kilarra looks at the bones and crystals, "Guess this is where those trogs were hanging."
[17:19] * Katarina nods, stepping forward and looking for anything of value in addition to the crystals.
[17:19] * Kilarra shrugs at Katarina, "I wouldn't waste your time, those bits are too small and too common to be worth anything."
[17:20] * Katarina shrugs and nods, turning back to head out of the room. "Th-then, l-let's move o-on."
[17:21] * Kilarra grasps her holy symbol again and lets Valnar lead once more
[17:21] * Valnar_Quartzheart continues on.
[17:23] <@Kilarra> A foul fishy odor intermingled with the sickly sweet smell of rot fills this small cramped chamber. The floor here is uneven and ankle deep in fish scales, bloated clumps of pallid fungus, and a mixture of sludge and gristly bits of bone.
[17:24] <@Kilarra> Nestled among the fungus and feeding on the refuse is a nasty, bloated, but-like creature.
[17:27] * Katarina frowns, ready to let arrows fly at the creature!
[17:28] <@Kilarra> Kwava is slightly faster to react, shooting a pair of arrows at the nasty bug
[17:30] <@Kilarra> The abnormally large bug (though still smaller than any member of the party) is skewered twice
[17:32] * Kilarra has no real means to hurt the bug without touching it, and well... she didn't want to touch it. She simple steps back, "My whip is strictly non-lethal and that thing's got too many legs to trip. Smoosh it good Dwarfy."
[17:38] * Valnar_Quartzheart gets ready to smash the thing with his axe.
[17:42] <@Kilarra> The nimble bug is hard to get a clean hit on, and Valnar's axe only grazes it
[17:43] * Katarina frowns, having to drop her bow. She draws her falchion once more, rushing forward and slashing at the bug.
[17:45] <@Kilarra> The not-so-tiny bug thrashes around and ducks the swing
[17:46] <@Kilarra> The bug leaps off its toadstooll and bites and claws at Katarina
[17:47] <@Kilarra> The fungal crawler scrapes uselessly against her armour
[17:48] <@Kilarra> Chip comes to Katarina's aid (because the GM finally remembered him), and attempts to gore the bug off.
[17:50] <@Kilarra> Chip splatters the nasty bug, moinking approvingly at Katarina
[17:50] * Kilarra looks slightly grossed out
[17:50] * Katarina smiles, putting away her falchion and petting chip, her other hand covering her nose from the smell.
[17:53] * Kilarra looks to Valnar_Quartzheart, "Let's get a move on Val, this place reeks!"
[17:54] * Valnar_Quartzheart agrees, and moves along.
[17:54] * Katarina moves to pick up her torch and bow, following after.
[17:54] <@Kilarra> The rough floor of this cave has been overspread with several strange, pebbly hides to form bedding of a sort. The general detritus of habitation covers the floor as well as a number of heavy (and quite empty) glass wine bottles. The same musty stench that pervades the tunnels fills this area as well.
[17:55] * Kilarra kicks a wine bottle, "Looks like those trogs had a bit of a drinking problem."
[17:55] <@Kilarra> The wine bottles, notably, are of the same kind commonly served at the Gold Goblin.
[17:56] * Katarina frowns, looking suspiciously at the bottles. She looks around for any other passage from the current room.
[17:58] <@Kilarra> There is a passageway on the south side of the room leading deeper into the tunnels.
[18:00] <Katarina> "Th-those bottles... they w-were from the g-goblin. S-saul's b-been here."
[18:01] * Kilarra blinks, "Or they're just thieves. Their stink was all over the cellar, remember?"
[18:02] * Katarina nods. "Th-that... I-is more l-likely..."
[18:03] * Katarina shrugs, nudging for Valnar to continue on.
[18:04] * Valnar_Quartzheart goes onward, wondering what is going on, with saul and with the current events.
[18:06] <@Kilarra> The passage only stays wide for a little while, and then curves to the south east and narrows. The party would have to progress single-file
[18:07] * Katarina follows right after Valnar.
[18:08] * Kilarra stays behind Katarina, with Kwava taking up the rear behind her
[18:11] <@Kilarra> The narrow passage only continues for so far, and eventually opens up to a larger area.
[18:12] <@Kilarra> The northern portion of this chamber has collapsed in a tumble of rubble and earth. The collapse partially obscures the chamber but does leave room to access the tunnel exiting to the south.
[18:13] * Katarina is careful as they continue onward, her bow out with an arrow already nocked.
[18:14] * Valnar_Quartzheart pulls out his axe and continues forward.
[18:18] <@Kilarra> The tunnel to the south of the collapse is again too narrow to allow for anything other than a single file marching order. It slops gently downwards until about halfway, when it slopes back up again after a brief twist in the path.
[18:19] <@Kilarra> While the stone walls are too thick to be fully flooded, some water seeps in and drips from the cieling, pooling in small puddles on the floor, never deeper than about six inches.
[18:21] * Katarina doesn't mind much, as her clothing is already wet from diving into the pool earlier...
[18:24] <@Kilarra> Mercifully, the party is not accosted while making their way through the narrow tunnels, eventually emerging into another, wider chamber
[18:24] <@Kilarra> -Intermission-
[19:18] <@Kilarra> -Resume-
[19:19] <@Kilarra> This cavern is bathed in a strange orangish-purple glow that seems to reduce visibility rather than increase it, and in fact, seems to inhibit other light sources as well. The glow comes from a number of large rock nodules placed at intervals about the room. The eastern portion of the chamber is occupied by a still, black pool whose surface reflects the strange light.
[19:20] <@Kilarra> Katarina's torch is dimmed by the eerie effect of the crystals.
[19:21] * Katarina proceeds cautiously, quirking her head as her torch dims. She looks to the rocks in wonder at the glow, proceeding to the black pool. "A-any idea wh-what th-this is?"
[19:22] * Kilarra shakes her head, "Probably nothing good, but other than that, I have no idea."
[19:23] <@Kilarra> The stillness of the pool is interrupted as a pair of nasty, tentacled creatures rise to the surface, apparently sensing a meal.
[19:25] <@Kilarra> Kwava again takes the first shot, aiming at the nearest one.
[19:25] <@Kilarra> Strangely, the two creatures look like they were already wounded by something.
[19:26] <@Kilarra> The first creature is struck by the arrow and gurgles furiously, in a language that perhaps only it and its companion can understand.
[19:27] * Kilarra attempts to whip the creature normally. Knocking it out when it was already that badly wounded would be good enough for now.
[19:28] <@Kilarra> A quick lash to the... face (if it could be called that) of the creature causes it to squeal and fall over.
[19:33] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the one that was still standing and readys himself for a huge swing of his axe.
[19:34] <@Kilarra> Valnar's axe doesn't even scratch the creature
[19:34] * Kilarra looks confused at that, "The hell?"
[19:36] * Katarina drops her bow, being right next to the pool, and attempts to slash at it after unsheathing her falchion.
[19:36] <@Kilarra> Katarina can't even hit the thing, let alone damage it.
[19:37] <@Kilarra> The grick writhes around and lashes out at Katarina with its tentacles, trying to pull her in for a bite.
[19:38] <@Kilarra> Katarina is just nimble enough to slip away.
[19:38] <@Kilarra> Kwava notches another arrow and fires, sending another followup shot immediately after. His bow had actually managed to hurt the thing
[19:39] <@Kilarra> His frantic aim however, leads both shots to miss
[19:40] * Kilarra frowns, "Bugger this." She runs to the egde of the water and grabs one of the protruding tentacles, "I hope this is the most agonizing pain you ever fee because I was hoping to save this for someone that mattered!" She pours a substantial amount of negative energy into the creature.
[19:41] <@Kilarra> The creature shrieks as the negative energy courses through it, turning it's already serious wounds into fatal ones. It slumps over on its side and begins to slide slowly into the pool.
[19:41] * Kilarra spits on the grick's corpse
[19:42] * Katarina sheathes her blade and picks up her bow and torch once more. She looks around the room, now that the danger had passed. "Th-thanks K-Kilarra."
[19:43] * Kilarra nods, "I just hope the elf's aim is better against whatever the hell was strong enough to hurt these stupid things."
[19:43] <@Kilarra> Kwava is slightly offput, but realizes that Kilarra has a point, and says nothing
[19:44] * Katarina gives Kwava a reassuring smile before looking around the room for another passage.
[19:45] <@Kilarra> There is only one other way out of this chamber at the southwest corner
[19:45] * Valnar_Quartzheart starts to go down the southwest corner and waits for the others to follow.
[19:46] * Katarina follows behind.
[19:46] * Kilarra looks to Valnar, "Lead on." She looks back to Katarina, "You need to get that blade of yours enchanted if you're gonna be swinging it around at naturally magical beasties." She gestures to her whip, "It may not be inherently lethal, but I still got it enhanced so it can hurt and snare anything I need it to."
[19:47] * Katarina nods. "I-I w-will..."
[19:47] * Valnar_Quartzheart continues forward.
[19:47] <@Kilarra> Valnar, stepping out of the crystal lined chamber, emerges into a corner cave that looks like it's been converted into living quarters
[19:48] <@Kilarra> This cave is illuminated by strangly glowing crystals protruding from two stony outcroppings that rest on either side of a low natural shelf on the southern wall. This shelf has been converted into a bed of sorts, complete with a luxurious white fur blanket lying rumpled on it, a velvet pillow, and a platinum filigreed footchest. A pair of black boots rests beside the small ledge.
[19:49] * Kilarra blinks at the platinum coffer, "Damn. If that's the container, there must be some important shit inside."
[19:51] * Katarina nods, looking around the room for its inhabitant(s).
[19:51] <@Kilarra> There is no one in this chamber, but a narrow passage leads east out of the other corner of the room.
[19:52] * Kilarra looks to Katarina, "Grab it if you can, something like that's bound to have either somethign really valuable or really worth protecting inside, and if it's information on what's going on, Shorafa is going to want it."
[19:52] * Kilarra smirks, "Perhaps we can get the key from it's owner, because I only see one other way out of here."
[19:53] * Katarina nods. "W-we'll g-get it later." She looks to the others. "P-perhaps I c-can scout a-ahead into the n-next ch-chamber?"
[19:53] <@Kilarra> Kwava eyes the boots curiously, ignoring the chest, "Those are almost certainly of elven make. This must be the charge I was sent for."
[19:53] * Kilarra nods, "Alright then, your call."
[19:54] * Kilarra rolls her eyes at the boots. She didn't weat any footwear, primarily because shoes and boots were meant to fit people who had feet
[19:55] <@Kilarra> Kwava however steps up to Katarina, "I suggest, if this is your plan, that you try those boots on. If they are as I think they are, they will soften your steps and make it easier for you to sneak up and scout."
[19:56] * Katarina shrugs and does as Kwava recommends, putting on the boots. After, she drops her torch and begins to move quietly through the passage, if there are no objections. She stops if there is a lack of light, as she does not have darkvision.
[19:56] * Kilarra looks to Valnar, "Guess that means we're staying back for a bit. Got any ouchies that need fixing while we wait?"
[19:57] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Nothing serious, but sure."
[19:58] * Kilarra puts a healing hand on Valnar's shoulder and mutters a prayer
[19:58] * Valnar_Quartzheart "Thank You."
[20:00] <@Kilarra> This cavern appears to have been recently enlarged at the east end, where a massive, curving stone carving protrudes from the floor, wall, and ceiling. It is covered in runes that appear strangely familiar, and it appears that some of them have been chipped away. A table nearby holds several stoneworking tools and a thin book.
[20:03] * Katarina continues to slink around in the chamber with her bow drawn, scanning the room for any other life.
[20:03] <@Kilarra> As Katarina looks into this chamber, she can see, in the same dim light of the crystals, what looks like an elven woman, but with pale purple skin that borders on pitch black, and hair shockingly white. Holstered at her hip is an exquisitely crafted, one handed crossbow with a couple of wickedly curved bayonets protruding from it.
[20:04] <@Kilarra> The strange dark elf seems occupied with what she's doing to the rune enscribed stone, and doesn't notice Katarina
[20:06] <@Kilarra> There are also two dretches just inside the entrance of the this chamber, though thankfully they fail to notice Katarina as well.
[20:07] * Katarina heads back out through the chamber, slinking to the group. "Th-the e-elf's in there, a-along w-with two d-dretches. Th-three in t-total."
[20:07] * Valnar_Quartzheart grins, ready for another battle.
[20:07] * Kilarra smirks, "Alright, did she notice anything? If not, I'd like to go take care of something that will make this a bit easier.
[20:09] * Katarina shakes her head. "N-no... sh-she didn't..."
[20:09] * Kilarra nods, "Alright, I'll be right back." She slips away, back to the cavern that held the one still almost dead Grick
[20:10] * Kilarra comes back looking pleased with herself, and like she had a quick workout. Her mucsles protrude a little bit and she seems to have a touch of unnatural vitality
[20:11] * Katarina quirks her head. "R-ready?"
[20:11] * Kilarra nods, "I'll be slightly buffed up for the next hour, maybe a little less."
[20:12] <@Kilarra> Kwava raises an eyebrow, feeling a little uneasy about what Kilarra just did.
[20:15] <@Kilarra> Kwava pulls out his bow and notches an arrow anyways, wanting to finish his mission.
[20:16] * Kilarra looks to Valnar, "Go ahead, we know what we're up against so there's no need to be too quiet this time. Which is good considering we're both wearing clanky breastplates.
[20:17] * Katarina waits for Valnar to continue, and follows once he leads.
[20:17] * Kilarra slips in behind Katarina with Kwava taking up the rear. Once again, single file is required for multiple people to pass the tunnel
[20:17] * Valnar_Quartzheart leads towards these nasty creatures.
[20:21] <@Kilarra> The Dretches and their dark-skinned elven mistress are oblivious
[20:26] * Valnar_Quartzheart attempts to smack one of therm up.
[20:26] * Valnar_Quartzheart with his axe of course.
[20:29] <@Kilarra> Valnar is once again brought up short by magical resistances
[20:29] <@Kilarra> Kwava takes two quick shots at the scratched Dretch in order to try and drop it before it could start making noise
[20:30] <@Kilarra> Kwava's silver arrows don't work like they should. Wrong kind of infernal creature. It is barely scratched
[20:31] * Kilarra takes a shot with her Crossbow, even though she didn't really like using it in favour of her whip. At least it was lethal
[20:32] <@Kilarra> Kilarra's crossbow bolt is completely ineffective, just bouncing right off
[20:33] * Katarina aims down at the elf, firing two quick shots at her.
[20:35] <@Kilarra> The elf woman, though wearing an impressive chain shirt, does not have her guard up, and lacks the magical resilience of her demonic doorstoppers. She screams as she's struck tiwce, the second shot stritign something vital and striking the Elf woman. She kicks over her table to try and get some cover.
[20:38] <@Kilarra> Kwava sees the elf woman suffer grievous wounds from Katarina's shooting, and decides to try and finish off the injured Dretch instead.
[20:39] <@Kilarra> Kwava's first shot manages to hurt the dretch in spite of it's magical protection, but the second is not as effective
[20:41] <@Kilarra> The dark skinned elf woman waves her hand and mutters something in a foreign language, and the savern is suddenlt filled with magical darkness. Kilarra and Valnar can still see through the darkness, but Katarina's torch can't seem to pierce it.
[20:42] <@Kilarra> Through the darkness, Kilarra and Valnar can see the elf attempt to climb up without a ladder, her slippers granting her some kind of magical traction.
[20:46] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the enemy that has the worst of it, and wishes to add to that with his axe.
[20:47] <@Kilarra> Valnar's swing gets caught on the side of the cave and comes up short
[20:47] <@Kilarra> The dretch decides to return the favour, swinging its claws at Valnar
[20:48] <@Kilarra> It's not any mroe effective though
[20:48] <@Kilarra> The second dretch tries as well, but doesn't fare any better.
[20:49] * Kilarra slips past the dretches fighting Valnar and gets as close as she can to the base of the gate. "Where do you think you're going?"
[20:49] <@Kilarra> Kilarra's whiplash doesn't manage to get to the elf woman through her armour.
[20:54] * Katarina quickly draws out two blunt arrows, nocking them and firing the duo at the elf.
[20:55] <@Kilarra> Neither of Katarina's shots land
[20:56] <@Kilarra> Kwava has no blunt arrows, and instead, wanting to keep his target from fleeting further, tries to peg her with a single arrow, hoping to bring her down without killing her outright.
[20:56] <@Kilarra> Kwava is unable to get a clean shot through the darkness
[20:57] <@Kilarra> The elf woman draws her hand crossbow and takes a quick shot at Kilarra, being the nearest, before ascending another 10ft
[20:58] <@Kilarra> Luckily, the elf isn't a good shot with her wounds, and the arrow glances off Kilarra's breast plate.
[20:59] * Kilarra can't climb well with her hooves, and now doesn't have a far enough reach with her whip. She switches back to her light crossbow and makes use of Kwava's strategy.
[21:00] <@Kilarra> Kilarra manages a lucky shot through the Elf woman's chain mail. That last hit breaks her lingering stamina, and the elf woman passes out. She falls right out of her slippers, but rather than plumet to the cave floor, she drifts down like a feather.
[21:05] * Valnar_Quartzheart looks to the dretch that is badly injured and aims to kill.
[21:06] <@Kilarra> Valnar splits the injured Dretch clean in half
[21:07] <@Kilarra> After being killed, the both of the demon seems to fade out of this plane of existance
[21:07] <@Kilarra> The remaining Dretch steps back from the dwarf and, seeing the body of the dark-skinned elf, throws up its arms briefly, but then has to hunch back down on them to support itself
[21:09] * Kilarra bends down over the dark skinned elf, stripping her of her weapons, armour and whatever else. "Damn... I didn't know elves came in black. She's kinda sexy."
[21:09] <@Kilarra> The magical darkness fades away after a short while.
[21:10] * Katarina sighs, relieved at being able to see properly, and looks to the Kwava. "I-Is th-that who y-you were l-looking f-for?"
[21:10] <@Kilarra> Kwava simply gapes at the dark skinned elf woman, "I... I do not believe it."
[21:11] <@Kilarra> Kwava shakes hsi head, "I can only assume this is my querey, and yet she simply cannot be. The dark elves are a myth. Told to frighten unruly children."
[21:14] * Katarina quirks her head. "W-well... th-then w-we should t-tie her up, a-and b-be on our way, a-after looting."
[21:15] * Kilarra looks over the Dark Elf's gear as she stashes it, "I can tie her up once I've got her stripped. She's got some nice shit here
[21:15] <@Kilarra> ."
[21:16] * Katarina looks around the room for anything else of value.
[21:17] <@Kilarra> The worktable that was tipped over held a chisel made of Adamantite.
[21:18] <@Kilarra> There is also the thin book
[21:19] * Katarina takes both, placing them in her packs.
[21:19] <Katarina> "A-and the e-elf, sh-she has the k-key for th-that f-footlocker?"
[21:20] * Kilarra finishes stripping the elf and tosses the procured key to Katarina, "Yup." She then pulls out a pair of exceptional manacles and locks the drow's arms behind her back.
[21:21] * Katarina smiles, taking the key and heading towards the previous room, unlocking the footlocker.
[21:24] <@Kilarra> The value of the pure platinum chest itself aside, contained within are 12 platinum pieces, a Black Onyx gem, a small bag of diamond dust, a small bottle of mundane glue (worthless), and a brass purfume vial, the contents of which don't really smell like purfume. It is nearly empty, with at most, a single application of the contents remaining.
[21:27] * Kilarra has stabilized the drow woman and tied her up, dragging her behind her manacled and bound, back to the room Katarina occupied. "Anything good?"
[21:28] <@Kilarra> Kwava seems nervous around the dark-skinned elf, as though he's looking at somethign from legend. In his case, he literally is.
[21:32] * Katarina nods, showing the contents as she picks up the chest, content to carry it out if all were ready.
[21:34] <@Kilarra> Kwava looks to Katarina, "As soon as we return to the Gold Goblin, we should see what that journal holds."
[21:35] * Katarina nods, ready to go. "E-everyone r-ready, then?"
[21:36] * Kilarra nods and gestures to the bound drow, "I'd rather keep her unconscious until we're back on the surface if you don't mind. Sexy maybe, but slippery almost definitely
[21:36] <@Kilarra> ."
[21:38] * Katarina nods, making her way back up to the Goblin, as long as everyone's business is completed.
[21:39] <@Kilarra> Kwava helps prop the drow up to make transporting her easier, although he seems hesitant to touch her as though she might be poisonous.
[21:39] <@Kilarra> Upon returning to the Gold Goblin, Valnar dismisses himself, feeling his debt for the betrayal of his former captain repaid and having his own agenda to pursue elsewhere.
[21:41] * Kilarra locks the drow in one of the Gold Goblin's rooms and makes sure the window is bolted shut as well as keeping the elf bound. She then rejoins Katarina in the barroom of the still empty gambling hall. "So, let's have a look at that journal. I'm sure it's contents are just the sort of thing I was sent here to keep tabs on in the first place."
[21:41] * Katarina nods, setting the journal out on a nearby table and opening it for them both to see.
[21:42] * Kilarra has taken the Drow woman's magic ring for herself for now as well.
[21:42] <@Kilarra> The journal is written in undercommon
[21:42] * Kilarra blinks, "Um... the hell language is that? It's not infernal or abyssal..."
[21:43] * Katarina frowns. She looks around to see if Kwava is in the room.
[21:43] <@Kilarra> Kwava looks at the journal as well, "Parts of it look like elven, but it doesn't seem to translate into anything sensical by that measure."
[21:45] <Katarina> "D-do y-you know a-anyone wh-who can?"
[21:45] * Kilarra thinks about it, "Well, if you wanna wait till tomorrow, I could prepare a spell that would allow for the comprehension of any written or spoken language. Calistria is said to have a talented tongue."
[21:47] * Katarina nods. "S-sure... I'll g-go and s-sell th-these items... I-I a-almost h-have enough f-for Daroskt..."
[21:48] * Katarina takes out the crystal want found earlier, showing it to Kilarra. "A-also, d-do you kn-know what th-this is?"
[21:49] * Kilarra smirks, "I can throw in the stuff I nicked from the drow lady to sell, since I'm sure all of it's valuable, just so long as I get a cut, for the help I provided in the caves."
[21:50] <@Kilarra> Kwava looks between the two of them, "If the two of you are heading out, I shall stay here and watch over our prisoner for now, and prepare a message for my superiors. Hopefully it can include the contents of that journal by tomorrow."
[21:50] * Katarina nods. "O-of course."
[21:51] * Kilarra holds up her hand with the drow's ring, "I'm keeping this if you don't mind, you can count it out of my share, but it's a nice trinket considering it kept her from breaking her neck falling." She then pulls out the slippers and takes the wand, using detect magic on them and trying to determine their purpose
[21:53] <@Kilarra> The slippers allow the wearer to climb walls and cielings like a spider, while the wand is of the 'Levitate' spell, but only has 9 charges left
[21:54] * Kilarra looks to Katarina, "Wand is of a levitation spell, but there ain't much juice left in it. These slippers are for climbing like a spider, clinging to walls and cielings and the like. If you want 'em, keep 'em, but I got no use for shoes."
[21:54] * Kilarra wiggles the digits of her left hoof
[21:55] * Katarina nods, taking the slippers to sell. "Y-you c-can keep the w-wand, i-if you'd like."
[21:56] <@Kilarra> Kilarra nods, "Probably not worth much to sell with so little juice left, but I suppose it could have uses."
[22:01] * Kilarra slips the wand away and then pools the drow's wonderful gear, none of which she considered useful compared to what she already posessed save the ring, with Katarina's findings.
[22:02] * Katarina heads out, selling the items she had been given. Afterwards, she has her falchion enchanted, and buys a masterwork bow. She returns a while later, delivering Kilarra her sum of gold.
[22:03] <@Kilarra> Katarina and Kilarra have a -very- lucrative shopping trip. Katarina nets 5520 gold pieces, while Kilarra gains 3320 after taking the value of the ring she kept into account
[22:06] * Kilarra looks to Katarina as they're out shopping, "You kept enough for your dead friend, right?"
[22:06] * Katarina nods. "Mhm. W-we c-can g-go to the t-temple n-next, right?"
[22:07] * Kilarra nods, "We can, although if Shorafa doesn't have the raising spell prepared, you can still pay her now and she'll get on it first thing tomorrow."
[22:08] <@Kilarra> Chip moinks happily at Katarina, pleased at the prospect of his former master's return.
[22:08] * Katarina smiles and pats Chip on the head before heading for the temple.
[22:09] * Kilarra follows, eager to return, both because she always felt at home there and because she could get some action. She looks back at Katarina, "You need a good time at all? My treat."
[22:09] * Katarina blushes and shakes her head. "N-n-no... th-thanks."
[22:11] * Kilarra rolls her eyes and again mutters about prudence, then slips into the temple. As soon as she's inside, she grabs two of the temple's prostitutes, one male, one female, and absconds to a private room.
[22:13] <@Kilarra> Inside the temple, Katarina is hit with the usual scent of exotic incense and sight of scantily clad quickwives and easy lads.
[22:13] * Katarina makes her way up the temple, looking around for Pamodae
[22:13] <@Kilarra> Lavender Lil is up in the temple presently, but Shorafa is not. "Welcome back. Need somethign else?"
[22:15] * Katarina nods. "Y-yes... I-I h-have the g-gold for D-daroskt." She looks around anxiously. "I-Is  L-Lady Pamodae h-here?"
[22:16] <@Kilarra> Lil's jaw drops a moment, "A-already? You just brought him here like... yesterday. How did you come up with that kind of money so quick?" She seems curious, and a little suspicious
[22:17] * Katarina taps her feet lightly, anxious to get Daroskt healed, but decides to tell Lil. She quickly passes on everything that had transpired. Very quickly, in fact, and difficult to understand in her haste.
[22:18] <@Kilarra> Lil blinks, "Sorry, some of that didn't make a lot of sense. I got the sunken treasure bit and something about an elf at the root of the cypher gate."
[22:19] * Katarina nods. "C-close e-enough. Wh-when w-will Pamodae be b-back?"
[22:20] <@Kilarra> Lil ponders that, "Well, she went to have a little pleasurable company, so I'd say give her an hour."
[22:20] * Katarina nods. "O-okay... I-I'll wait."
[22:22] <@Kilarra> Lil smirks, "Considering what I just saw Kilarra run off with, you might have to wait longer for her. Now, why don't you give me that story a little more slowly. I'm sure Shorafa would be interested in hearing about it, and if I could pass it on for you instead of you spending more time than you're comfortable with here..."
[22:24] * Katarina sighs, retelling the story again, though slowly, taking her time so that it might be sooner until Shorafa arrives.
[22:26] <@Kilarra> The hour passes as Katarina divulges the details of her expedition. "So," summarizes Lil, "This dark elf lady was Saul's benefactor, and he was swindling the profits of the Goblin to her, which Kilarra found out through a doctored ledger. That would explain why she had such valuable gear on her. So now you're waiting for Kilarra to refresh her magic so she can read this other journal now, right?"
[22:26] * Katarina nods. "E-exactly..."
[22:27] <@Kilarra> Shorafa climbs up the stairs to the temple, recurling her snakeskin whip around her shoulder, "That was most enj- oh, hello Katarina darlink. Vhat brings you back here so soon?"
[22:28] * Katarina slings off her backpack, opening it and revealing the gold. "I-I h-have the g-gold f-for Daroskt."
[22:29] <@Kilarra> Shorafa looks impressed, "That was far sooner than I expected. I hope you didn't rob anyone... that I care about." She smirks
[22:29] <@Kilarra> Lil looks to SHorafa, "Lucky haul, she shared the story with me, so I'll tell you later."
[22:30] * Katarina smiles. "S-so y-you c-can r-revive him n-now?"
[22:32] <@Kilarra> Shorafa nods, "You are fortunate. Although rare, there are periodic cases in a city such as this, perhaps made slightly more likely through volume, that remorseful people or devoted friends come with the request of revivals, so I have it prepared once a day most days." She looks to Lil, "Take her money to the coffers and fetch me a diamond. Make sure to note the need to replace it."
[22:33] * Katarina smiles, retrieving all of the needed gold from her packs and hauling it to Lil.
[22:33] <@Kilarra> Lil nods and takes Katarina's gold and steps out for a bit. Shorafa then looks to one of her other clerics, "Please bring the half-orc's body back up here." The cleric nods and heads off to retrieve the wake.
[22:33] <@Kilarra> Shorafa smiles at Katarina, "You will have your friend back in less than half an hour."
[22:34] * Katarina smiles widely, anxiously tapping her feet.
[22:35] <@Kilarra> The cleric returns with the wake containing Daroskt's body and pulls back the sheet. His head has been reattached, although the flesh around his necks looks like it got a bit of rought treatment in the process. Lil returns a few minutes later and presents Shorafa with the requested Diamond.
[22:36] * Katarina watches attentively, as if expecting Daroskt to wake up any moment now.
[22:36] <@Kilarra> Shorafa grasps the diamond firmly and begins walking around the body and chanting. Lil pulls Katarina back a bit, "The spell takes about ten minutes to complete, so just have a seat."
[22:37] * Katarina does as asked, sitting and watching from afar.
[22:39] <@Kilarra> As Shorafa walks around Daroskt, the diamond seems to slowly dissolve into magical light that gently flows into Daroskt's body. After about ten minutes, the diamond has been completely consumed, ad Shorafa stops circling and chanting, "Now, Daroskt, Shorafa Pamodae, High Priestess of Calistria requests kindly that you rejoin us in the realm of the material." She brings her arms down and clicks her heels.
[22:40] <@Kilarra> There's about half a minute of stillness, and then Daroskt's arm moves. He slowly leans forward until he's in a sitting position, rubbing his neck, "Ow..."
[22:40] <@Kilarra> Daroskt looks around a bit, spying Shorafa and Katarina and Lil. "I see. I suspected that is what I would awake to."
[22:41] * Katarina rushes over and nearly pounces Daroskt, giving him a tight hug.
[22:42] <@Kilarra> Daroskt is slightly surprised, but hugs Katarina back, "A little more gently, if you please. My neck is terrible stiff."
[22:42] * Katarina loosens up her hug and sniffles. If he were to look down, he'd be able to see her eyes watering up.
[22:42] <@Kilarra> Shorafa looks between the two of them, "Now, coming back to life is a serious ordeal mister Daroskt. You will likely be feeling very weak and drained."
[22:44] <@Kilarra> Daroskt smiles and pats Katarina on the head, "I'll admit, I was a bit surprised when I heard the voice call for my return, but I suspected your hand in it, and felt it would be rude of me to waste such considerable effort. Tell me, did you take care of that backstabbing bastard?"
[22:45] * Katarina nods lightly, pulling back from the hug and wiping her eyes. "Y-yes... I-I c-couldn't l-let h-him live... a-after y-y-y-you w-were gone..."
[22:46] <@Kilarra> Daroskt nods, "Did you discover anything while I was... away? Speaking of, how long was I gone?"
[22:47] * Katarina smiles. "I-It's o-only been a-about a day. A-and yes. S-saul w-was partnered w-with dark elves."
[22:49] <@Kilarra> Shorafa and Daroskt both blink in surprise, "Dark elves? I thought they were a myth."
[22:49] * Katarina shakes her head. "I-I g-guess n-not..."
[22:49] * Katarina frowns and looks around... she though Chip was around here somewhere...
[22:51] <@Kilarra> Chip jumps up on the wake and licks Daroskt's face.
[22:52] <@Kilarra> Daroskt pets Chip and smiles, "You've been lookign after her I take it... no, more than that, she is bonded to you now as I was..." He looks to Katarina, "I am glad he was able to see you safe."
[22:53] * Katarina smiles. "H-he's b-been a-a g-great help..."
[22:57] <@Kilarra> Daroskt smiles and pets Chip, "Well, I hope he can continue to look after you for me. Much as I would like to hepl you myself, after what happened... I don't think I can continue on these dangerous paths."
[22:58] * Katarina frowns. "O-Oh." She raises an eyebrow. "W-where w-will y-you go?"
[23:00] <@Kilarra> Daroskt sighs, "I am not certain yes. I still have a bit of gold, so perhaps I should simply find a place to settle down."
[23:02] * Katarina fidgets. "I-I h-have g-gold too... m-maybe I c-could come w-with y-you?"
[23:02] <@Kilarra> Daroskt looks to her, "Are you sure? I would not object to your company, but what about this dark elf business?"
[23:05] * Katarina sighs. "W-well... V-valnar left, a-and w-we j-just n-need to d-decipher s-something, wh-which Kilarra c-can do..." She shakes her head. "Th-they d-don't need m-me f-for that."
[23:07] <@Kilarra> Shorafa nods, "If you two are finished with Saul out of the picture, which I can fully understand, know that I still intend for Kilarra to pursue this matter. She is one of my best inquisitors, and would likely revel in the chance to continue honing her skills in pursuit of her own agenda as well."
[23:09] * Katarina smiles. "Th-then, I'd l-like to s-say farewell to h-her... th-then w-we can leave, D-Daroskt?"
[23:09] <@Kilarra> Daroskt nods, and attempts to stand. He manages it, but is a bit wobbly, "Yes... you weren't kidding about the drain. I can barely stand."
[23:10] * Katarina moves to Daroskt's side and helps him to stand, offering him a shoulder to lean on.
[23:13] <@Kilarra> Daroskt smiles, "Thank you my friend." He looks back to Shorafa, "And thank you as well madam, for the help you gave me and her both."
[23:14] * Katarina nods, a happy smile on her face. "Th-thank you, P-pamodae."
[23:14] <@Kilarra> Shorafa smiles, "Of course. If you wish, you may stop in and find out what is going on from time to time. Even if you are no longer fit to pursue it, I am sure you will be curious."
[23:16] * Katarina starts to make her way down the temple, being careful with Daroskt.
[23:16] <Katarina> "D-daroskt, w-we d-do actually h-have the G-goblin's d-deed..."
[23:17] <@Kilarra> Daroskt blinks, "Do you? Are you planning to sell it then and perhaps buy a home, or did you mean to continue management of it and make it a home?"
[23:20] * Katarina shrugs. "I-if y-you a-are willing... E-either w-way. I-I j-just would n-not b-be a-able to manage i-it on m-my own..." Katarina smiles and looks around curiously before beckoning Daroskt to lean lower, as if so she could whisper a secret.
[23:22] <@Kilarra> Daroskt leans down a bit, althoguh thankfully his weight isn't anything Katarina can't handle.
[23:22] * Katarina giggles and gives Daroskt a kiss on the cheek, her own cheeks flushing brightly.
[23:23] <@Kilarra> Daroskt blinks and blushes as well, "K-Katarina?"
[23:24] * Katarina looks down at her feet. "I-I'm g-glad y-you're back... I m-missed y-you..."
[23:26] <@Kilarra> Daroskt smiles, "I... cannot recall much of what I experienced beyond the material, but I do know I missed your company as well." She leans over her a bit more, turning it into a caress.
[23:26] <@Kilarra> Or hug sort of thing
[23:28] <@Kilarra> Rewards: A lot