Session 5: Rell's Log

General Summary

Rope gripped firmly between my hands, I rappelled down the hole left by the creature we were hunting. Elirith was just above me, following at a rate I hadn’t quite expected from her admittedly limited experience outside of the city. As I kicked off the wall, my boots loosened pebbles and dirt further, causing the fragments to tumble down into the dark. The ground here was clearly a little volatile, the cracks I could make out only proving as such.
Finally, the tunnel curved enough to allow us to walk rather than climb and we had to abandon the ropes behind us. While lighting touches between us, Liv instead whispered a few words to illuminate the pickaxe she’d commandeered. It wasn’t perfect, and I was grateful I could see slightly better than some of the others. I’d take any advantage I could down here.
We set off at a steady pace, with Robyn and I leading, Elirith and Liv a step behind, with Saman guarded the rear of our small party. Robyn had her short sword to hand I noticed, which made sense in these close quarters. I wondered if she was just as proficient with it as her longbow.
After an indistinguishable period marching at a steady pace, we’d seen a blue glow in the distance and I’d gestured rapidly for everyone to halt. Listening carefully yielded nothing, though I thought I caught Liv sniffing behind me. It made me want to emulate her, but I caught myself. The only thing that stank down here was freshly disturbed earth.
So, we proceeded into a small chamber, the path of the burrowing creature dissecting directly through the natural formation. Luminous blue fungus grew all around us, broken up only by small puddles and the dirt subsided by the recent addition to the cave. Glancing up, stalactites hung from the ceiling, stretching down as if to reach the beautiful blue carpet below. I recognised the mushrooms as ones that would hold their glow for around a day cycle, harmless to the touch but certainly not edible, though they were a valid light source in a pinch.
Liv moved passed me, inspecting around carefully almost as if searching for something. As she picked her way between the fungus, she sniffed the air again and even poked one of the stagnant pools with her glowing pickaxe. Watching her caused a flutter of pride, that she cared to overturn every stone just like a good Diplomat should in the field. She found nothing but proceeded eagerly towards the exit, though as we shifted back into formation behind her, several forms fell upon us from the ceiling.
My heart stopped as the first burrowed straight into Liv’s collarbone. It had emulated the pillared rock formations above us, dark and cone-shaped which now protruded viciously from below her neck. A second had grazed her arm and now wiggled on the ground next to her. I suddenly realised two were next to me also, their teeth gnashing as they attempted to escape from their failed attack. It was all happening too fast as Elirith hit the ground behind me and I span to find another creature squirming away from her wilted form. One had clearly hit Saman too as he pressed a huge palm to his thigh. The only other to remain unscathed was Robyn who looked as stunned as I must have been.
Torn I span from the collapsed Elirith back to Liv. She was my priority, but she had already yanked the embedded creature from her neck. It writhed in her grasp, flicking her own blood back at her. My stomach turned again as she rapidly squashed the parasite under her boot before retrieving the recently purchased healing potion and upending the swirling liquid into her mouth. It forced me into action and I whirled my glaive, piercing the rest of the funnel-shaped pests before they could reach the walls.
A glance back and I was relieved to find Saman was already healing Elirith, but she was clearly shaken as she stood. Fear or perhaps anger shone in her eyes as ice formed at her fingertips and fragments were cast wildly upwards at any of the remaining stalactites. Frozen cold arced across the ceiling, turning the pillars white and I reached for her as she panicked. Knowing she was unnerved, I decided to voice the nickname I’d only used in my head. Snowflake. It finally seemed to settle her, drawing the relief I desired.
Shocked but undeterred we continued deeper into the tunnel, always sloping downwards in a reminder of just how far underground we must be. Eventually, the tunnel began to descend so sharply that we had to use our weapons to brace ourselves, leaning slightly to avoid careening forwards. Moving meticulously down in a corkscrew manner there was a sudden noise behind me as Saman lost balance, crashing into Liv and hurtling passed me. Worry flourished once again, and I flung myself after her, using my glaive to ground me as I half slid the rest of the way to join them on more solid ground.
Luckily, they were mostly unhurt and we now found ourselves in an almost spherical cavern. It appeared newly formed, loose rubble and dirt strewn around, and the walls gouged as though the creature had purposefully created the area. I’d never seen anything like it and none of us could quite grasp why it might have had cause to pause here. With no choice but to move on, we took the only exit assembled in the creature’s wake.
More walking and the monotonous of it was beginning to grate on me, but it was no more frustrating than other expeditions I’d made. So we pushed on until Robyn stopped us, the ex-skirmisher seeming oddly smug as she cleared loose coverings to smaller passages leading away from our own. I cursed myself that I’d not seen it, but once pointed out the tunnels were evident all around. Liv peaked down the nearest one but couldn’t see much, nor could we really hear anything. Another ambush down here wasn’t something I envied, and I pushed that we should try to draw the inhabitants out. I was thoroughly outvoted, and we decided to proceed quietly to try to hide our presence. Chirping insect noises became more prevalent as we crept through the tunnel and I was silently glad I’d not drawn them out.
Robyn stopped us again after another few minutes of walking and gestured at the walls. A swipe of my finger clearly proved that we were near water and a few inhales revealed a moist earthy scent. Our prey had also managed to indent its uniform gouging marks even better, grooves clearly set within the saturated walls. Not long later and the source revealed itself, our only path disappearing into murky depths as the tunnel was fully swallowed by water.
Frustration was rife but Saman agreed to explore and see if we might pass with an only moderate inconvenience. Liv handed him the illuminated pickaxe and as we were tying one of the remaining ropes to him, Elirith decided she was better suited as a watch out, which I certainly don’t mind after the noises we’d heard. I braced half inside the water with Robyn behind me, Liv at the rear and watched the Warforged disappear under the surface without so much as a pause for air. It was a reminder of how different they are, and I had quickly thrown the prejudiced thought away.
Gratefully Saman returned soon and informed us of the blocked passageway but that he believed he could clear it with relative ease. We paused to eat and rest as Saman dislodged the rumble, and it was seemingly quite a long while before he re-joined us. Mysteriously he mentioned he’d discovered a building swallowed up by the earth, potentially as long ago as the cataclysm and we were all eager to explore.
Using my pitons and the rope, Saman created a guide through the murk and we proceeded hand over hand to a set of stairs that drew us up and out of the depths. Before us was an ancient building, still standing but clearing in a state of disrepair and abandonment. The single pillar at its entrance had collapsed, impeding the way but assumedly allowing enough space to slip inside. If anything it was as dilapidated as structures I’d seen within the Dead City, just not as exposed to the elements.
Elirith used her magic to dry and clean us off which was peculiarly useful and encouraging. Even so I teased her and to my delight she conjured an image of the blue fungus from earlier, pretending to eat it before dispersing the spell. It was an action I’d specifically called out not to do and I’d giggled at her mischievousness.
Edging closer we saw a mark on the once proud pillar, the engraving meant little to me but Saman revealed it was a symbol of one of the fallen gods. Since the study of them was prohibited, I smirked as to how Saman knew so much when he revealed it was a symbol of the godness Lilliana. They droned on about her, discussing how the temple was pre-cataclysm, how it came to be here, how deep we were or if there was another entrance. My eyes had caught the entranceway as I’d rolled them and shifting in frustration I had simply made for the opening, hoping they would follow.
Mesh often says I never learn, and I was glad she couldn’t see me at that moment. As I ducked under the column I heard the familiar twang of wire and I couldn’t react fast enough. Pain slammed into me as rock crushed my leg, knocking me down so forcefully that my palm and elbow jarred off solid rock. It hadn’t trapped me which I could only be thankful for, but hot blood pumped in my ears as I cursed out some elven phrases that would have made my mother blush.
Saman healing words broke through the agony and I struggled to my feet with the help of the wall. Gritting my teeth in frustration of my idiocy, I forgot where I was, whom I’m with and thought of Mesh. I cast my mind back on all her teachings, on enforced meditation to strengthen my resolve in times such as these. She gave me the strength needed and I felt renewed, ready to face anything once again. I had to stop being such a fool, stop being reckless as Mesh always accused me of. I knew I had probably alerted anything inside to our presence and a few more choice phrases left my tongue.
Embarrassed, I hung back as we proceeded cautiously into the first room. To our left was a corridor with a door at its end, whereas in front of us was a slightly ajar set of double doors. The area was lit with the same blue fungus we’d spied earlier and as such, it was another validation that this place was inhabited.
Robyn flicked a copper piece through the gap in the double doors which made me feel immensely guilty at my careless behaviour all over again. I couldn’t even call it naivety as Liv or Elirith might have. All my internal chiding was cut short however as Robyn yanked the door open, setting off another trap. Although she masterfully avoided the tumbling bucket and its contents of rubble, I was at least glad we were level pegging now. My confidence felt renewed and I peered down the new corridor with the others.
We now had two doors adorning the wall to the left, another twin set of double doors ahead, plus an open archway to the right. Elirith boldly moved first, shimmying up against the wall to peak into the area beyond the archway. When she returned however, she regretfully told us the room had been too dark for her to make anything out other than various indistinguishable shapes.
Instead, we decided to focus on the door immediately to our left and Saman prepared a mighty shove before ramming into the structure with all his might. I had to stifle a laugh as he rebounded backward, half falling into the wall from the impact. Allowing a smirk grace my face, I handed him my glaive which he automatically grasped. Scanning the door for a potentially weak spot, I used my full weight to deliver a mighty kick. It crashed apart, wood splintering and old hinges snapping as it thundered to the ground. Turning back to Saman, I had bowed, retrieving my glaive and all but pranced into the exposed room.
It had clearly been a storage area, shelves lined the walls and numerous objects lay around in various states of decay. Having searched many dilapidated places out in the Wastelands, I had quickly picked out the only item of value as an ornate box. On inspection, the lid was sealed shut with a yellow-tinted wax and I tilted it, beginning to inspect it in further detail.
A cry that sounded like Elirth rang out from the previous room and I shoved the treasure into my backpack as I charged towards the sound. Goblins; nasty little creatures that I despised, and one had fired an arrow straight into the beautiful elf. Liv was already attempting to stab the nearest with her rapier, however her precise form was not designed for these stunted creatures and the stab missed entirely. Saman moved to intervene but his enormous hammer stuck the ceiling as he lifted for the blow, a metal clang ringing out around us. Robyn’s arrow did hit the mark, whirling passed me to strike one of the goblins and killing it outright. Not wanting to risk anything with Liv and Elirith so close to danger, I drew one of my handaxes and hurled it from a distance to strike at the threat. I knew I’d been too hasty and should have paused to judge better as my blade reverberated off the nearby wall into the puddle of water.
Noises in the corridor behind me had made me spin back to see a stream of arrows launching at Robyn. More goblins had clearly gathered to surround us. Cursing, I was at least glad to see the surviving creature near Liv and Elirith had pulled on a wretched, stained hat that might once have been white. Assuming this was a signal to surrender, I ran to meet the new menace.
There’s a whole pack of them, bows ready as they called to each over in their own base language. Saman reached me and attacked before I could, and it propelled me into action as I too lashed out with my glaive. I barely hurt the little nuisance and they began retreating away from us. Robyn fired and one of the goblins was immediately pinned, gurgling out its final breath. Jealous flared at her competency with that stunning weapon.
Then goosebumps formed on the back of my neck, the air cooling behind me, which could only mean Elirith was casting a spell. An ice shard reeled down the corridor to explode in a flurry of crystal, but although spectacular, the goblins were barely injured. A bow released again and the shout of distress from behind me could only mean that the first goblin had forgone its previous surrender, likely now dead along with its companion.
The pack before us reacted at this, scrambling away and began disappearing through the second set of double doors. As the one nearest to me scampered to follow, I lashed out slicing into its belly and destroying it as I did so. Not thinking, I careened after the rest of them, my boots pounding on the worn stone as I reached the barrier they had disappeared behind.
Snorting in sharply through my nose I wrenched the door open, but I couldn’t even register what was behind it. My world tore apart as torment seared into my chest, my thigh and my shoulder. I could feel nothing else, there was nothing else than this scolding endless pain.
I knew I’d fallen, stonework almost smoothing against the hot devastation coursing throughout my body. Wetness blurred my vision before my glaive left my fingers and darkness overtook me.
It felt like hours, though in reality it must have been seconds before I awoke to liquid being poured into my mouth and throat. Spluttering, though trying not to waste any of the precious mixture I’d managed to draw myself up. Liv? I blinked heavily at my survivor, mind trying to catch up with what had happened.
Everything hurt, though the healing potion was quickly working its way through me, mending the wounds where the arrows had struck. Shaking my head, blinking upwards, I expected to see Liv’s pursed lips which I tended to receive when she’d healed me previously. Instead, there was worried green eyes, her mouth slightly open as shock spoiled Elirith’s lovely features.
Elven, Common and Dwarven vulgar terms emitted of their own accord as I tried desperately to pull myself together. At least my words amused Elirith, frown lines softening as she smiled at my language.
She’d saved me and without thinking I embraced her, whispering my dear, unconditional thanks.
Not thinking… I immediately realised the irony of my actions. I needed to start thinking a lot more if we were going to survive this place.

Previous: Session 4: Rell's Log Next: Session 7: Rell's Log

47 Acadi

• Head down tunnel left by the creature in the Waterworks.
• Find glowing fungus in the tunnels.
• Parasites drop from the ceiling onto most of us.
• Find smaller passages leading away from the one we were in. 
• Hear chirping insect noises from unknown creatures ahead.
• Saman found an ancient building below.
• Pillar bearing hte mark of the goddess Lilliana, one of the Elemental Lords.
• Head into the temple building, find a set of doors that were open, all lit witht the same blue fungus.
• Find a store room, recover an ornate box sealed shut with yellow-tinted wax.
• Ambushed by goblins.

Report Date

21 Feb 2019

Original Disclaimer: Written from Rell’s PoV and any opinions on character’s or npcs are her own and may not be a true reflection of a character’s intended actions or intentions. Any missing content is due to Rell’s selective hearing or poor memory. Although I have attempted to keep information on Rell to a minimum, please note that you may read some content/opinions that aren’t common knowledge to your own characters and therefore it should not influence your interactions with her.

Additional Disclaimer: This article is ported frpm old blogspot articles for reference, and pertinent bullets and dates added to timelines.