Dysis was no stranger to darkness. Normally, it was her ally, one of two primeval forces that answered to her call. She wouldn't wager to regard this darkness as an ally, however.  Not after what was read.

Along their earlier journeys, she'd come into possession of the Belt of Apollo, which she still wore clasped about her waist. Always it had seemed odd that she could wear it, Apollo being a giver of light.  Never had it done anything overtly noticeable...until now.

"The Belt of Apollo...it begins to radiate warmth, the nearer I come to the entry."

Usually collected and confident, Dysis was less so now. She was a darkness wielder, wearing an artifact of light, confronted by an alien darkness. And that combination was confusing; made it hard to sort out likely consequences. She bit her lip, thinking...

Then took a sling stone from her pouch, poised to toss it through entry, asking  "Shall I?"

Unless anyone wants to stop me, I'll toss the stone through the entry, see what happens.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 17:35, Fri 05 July 2019.

No response comes to Lysandros call of "Gregorius." After a minute of waiting, Dysis tosses her stone into the entry way and the stone goes into the darkness apparently hitting against a wall or other object making a light *thunk* noise that they can hear from outside.

The four wait another few minutes but nothing happens. During this time Dysis appears lost in thought...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Fri 05 July 2019.

Itylus waited with his bow ready. The atmosphere of tension and nervosism that surrounded the party was almost palpable. All of Itylus' instincts screamed for him to get away from the unnatural darkness in front of him. However the hunter didn't move and waited with his bow ready to fire at the first sign of movement . After  a few minutes, it became obvious that whatever was inside the administrative building would not be  so easily baited near the door. However, the wait had given Itylus enough time to think of a plan. He spoke in a hushed tone."It seems like whatever it is inside, it won't come to us so easily... And I think we can all agree that going in there blindly feels like a quick way to meet Hades' ferryman and should be our last resort."

He paused for a moment, then continued. "I have an idea... Lets do what any experienced hunter does when it's hunting a dangerous creature in its lair - lets smoke it out. We can build a big pyre with the broken furniture in the other two buildings and then Dysis could use her Air elementalism to channel the smoke inside of the building." He looked at the lost in thought elementalist. "Do you think you can do that Dysis?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Wed 03 July 2019.

"Clever planning, as usual, hunter.   But, I think we needn't go in blind.  I remember something I read about Apollo's adepts, and their spells of light.  And, I believe this belt may have an enchantment which will serve us here." 

So saying, Dysis stepped toward and then into the darkness..

Oddly enough, none of my three air spells will do as you ask.   Not without bending the description, a bit.     But the GM PMed some info that I think should get us back on track here.  ;)   
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:30, Fri 05 July 2019.

Dysis stepped forward into the darkness. In short order, the other three quickly followed behind her. The belt* had continued to radiate warmth that increased in intensity such that Dysis started to perspire a little bit, and indeed, the others could feel warmth from it as well when in proximity to her almost as if it were a heat source but fortunately it was not painful either to her or them.

Indeed, the warmth also included an emitting of a light that quickly illuminated the room and dispelled whatever unnatural darkness was previously there. The only thing that was hard to look at was Dysis herself due to the brightness that was coming forth from the belt. On her end, fortunately, Dysis did not have problems with her vision save should she look directly at her waist and into the light itself.

A quick survey of the room found upturned tables, chairs, as well as a bunk and some chests. On the ground in front of them were two skeletal corpses - perhaps the prior envoys? In the bunk lay another skeleton, a book of some sort tucked into its bony arms. However, any further investigation would have to wait, as also in the room in one of the corners stood a large hooded figure. It stood taller then any of them with an large head that was covered by a dark hood. In its hands it carried a spear. It says nothing... However, Lysandros feels strange. In front of him he saw ghostly apparitions: relatives and friends who were now long dead that were now rising from the floorboards themselves. Knowing that this couldn't be real he quickly closes his eyes and shakes his head almost as if to shake these ghosts away. Opening his eyes again the illusions are gone and again what he sees is what everybody else does: the hooded figure standing in the corner.


OOC:

12:37, Today: Maze Master rolled 3 using 1d4 with rolls of 3.  Creature Targeting Heroes.
12:40, Today: Maze Master rolled 14 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 10.  Creature Illusions.
12:41, Today: Maze Master, on behalf of Lysandros of Thena, rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  Mystic Fortitude (Defense).

Lysandros was able to make his saving throw against illusion. Target number was 16.

*(see: Chapter 1, Belt of Apollo discovered after battle)

Initiative Scores and Mini-Map for Reference:

Party Members:
(1) Arthanos = 19
(2) Lysandros = 18
(3) Itylus = 15
(4) Dysis = 13

Enemies:
(C) Creatures = 14

Other:
E = Entrance/Exit


This message was last edited by the GM at 17:52, Fri 05 July 2019.

The hunter saw the determination in Dysis' eyes. He glanced towards the Belt of Apollo she carried on her waist. He could feel the slight warmth coming from it. Itylus looked back at Dysis and nodded. "Okay, then Dysis. If your are confident you can wield the belt's power I trust you. Lets do it your way."




The hunter followed right behind Dysis. For a second he could not see anything except the light comming from the Belt of Apollo, but a moment later his eyes adjusted and he started to perceive the messy interior of the building. Then he saw it. The towering dark robbed figure at the corner of the room. From the corner of the eye he saw Lysandros suddenly stop with a strange look on his face and then shake his head. A psychic attack!! The hunter did not hesitated and immediately released an arrow toward the figure's head.



OCC:
21:11, Today: Itylus rolled 25 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 18.  Missile Attack. Weapon of Choice. Roll 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Wed 03 July 2019.

The noble entered the structure and was suddenly haunted by visions of long gone members of his family and friends. He knew something was not right with this, and muttered a prayer to Athena to beg her divine grace. The supplication seemed to have done the trick as the ghostly visions evaporated. All that remained was a ruin of a room,and a robed figure in the corner.

The noble advanced toward the robed figure, his sword and shield at the ready. "Athena Eternal." The age old battle cry of the city of Thena was spoken by Lysandros.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:35, Fri 05 July 2019.

Lusandros thrust his sword at the robed figure.

14:46, Today: Lysandros rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  sword damage.

14:45, Today: Lysandros rolled 25 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 17.  2nd roll.

14:45, Today: Lysandros rolled 26 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 18.  Weapon of choice 1st roll


Sorry about the delay

Arthanos looked at the cloaked figure, trying to decide the best course of action. Since he could see the big spear, he decided keeping the shield close till he could get up in its face would be most useful.

Arthanos moved across the room, trying to keep his shield towards the crature, and his unshielded side towards the top wall. . "For Athena!" he cried as he lashed out at it with his blade.


08:19, Today: Arthanos rolled 20 using 2d20+8, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 12,6.  Favourite Weapon Attack x 2.

08:20, Today: Arthanos rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  Damage.

The battle was over quickly. Indeed, the creature was in process of removing its hood (perhaps to make another psychic attack) when both Arthanos and Lysandros rushed it and made near simultaneous attacks on it. Fortunately, the horror of what they saw as they approached did not deter their attacks, as Arthanos blade sunk into this Hooded Horror's forearm, while Lysandros' blade found a tender spot in its misshapen chest, doing damage to a vital organ. Itylus, eagle-eyed as ever had readied and aimed his arrow at the center of the creature's head which was now revealed as a giant unblinking eyeball. Skillfully he lets the arrow loose which hits the Hooded Horror directly into the pupil with enough force to knock it backwards. It crumbles into the corner, dead, with blood from the now destroyed eyeball splattering on the wall (as well as onto Arthanos and Lysandros).

---

Almost immediately after the creature dies the brightness of Dysis' belt begins to subside - whatever darkness it was dispelling obviously no longer active. Instead, natural light begins to flow into the room once again, some from the opened door, some from cracks in the windows that were not fully sealed. Pawing at the corpse of the hooded horror the party finds nothing of interest - it had a humanoid body and dark rags. How it would eat or speak was a mystery, but it did appear to have psychic abilities given what it attempted to do to Lysandros. If they had not dispatched it quickly things may have fared far worse for the party.

A search of the desiccated corpses in the room is more fruitful. Although the bodies have been eaten away by time amongst the possessions of the dead they find:

- treasure, which includes a bag of 50 silver
- as well as x4 potions of healing (restores 1d6+1)
- arrows marked with the insignia of Hephaestus (Minor Mythical Item - there are 12 fire arrows doing an extra +1 damage as well as potentially igniting a creature's clothing or other object it hits)
- as well as a "dagger of Aeolus" Those who pick it up or examine it find it to be a very light metal that appears much sharper than normal. (Minor Mythical Item - 1d3+1 and allows the wielder to make 2 attacks per round)

Additional search had shown old logs and ledgers revealing how much the mine was taking in on a daily basis and shows gradual decrease over time consistent with the journals that they previously read. This compounds with other notes tucked into the log book showing mysterious accidents happening to the workers and more complaints over time with miners taking off due to illnesses, the most common being a sudden sensitivity to light.

Perhaps most importantly was discovery of a map that certainly would help speed up the party's search of the mines. Upon review of the map, the group finds that an extensive network of mining had been done essentially to the north and eastern most part of the chambers once they were to go inside, but as soon as the miners had started searching for silver to the western passages is where they discovered a discovered a shaft leading down into additional tunnels that Gregorius had written about.

The notes indicate that once in the new passage, they should move their way west but eventually it opens up into natural passageways. Thus far three passageways have been explored, to the north, the northeast, and east. However, the notes end here...

Battle Resolved OOC Comments:

First off, in reviewing character sheets I fixed Lysandros initiative which was previously incorrect. This made a big difference in resolving the round as previously he and the monster would have taken their actions at the same time. So, that and the fact that both Lysandros and Itylus both rolled high enough to score critical hits on the creature and do extra damage was enough to end this round right away. (I'll keep it in mind for future battles)

Experience Granted to Characters (divided by four will be 75 points which I will add to your sheets now)
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:58, Sat 06 July 2019.

When the creature collapsed, Arthanos was slightly suprised. He hadn't thought the combined attack would drop it that quickly. Expecting another attack, he kept his arms up for another minute, but when nothing appeared, he calmed down.

"That was suprisingly easy." he remarked, before uttering a brief prayer to banish bad luck under his breath....just incase.

Looking down at the blood covering him, he made an annoyed noise, then used his sword to roughly cut a bit of the creatures cloak. He placed the shield down, and used the cloth to quickly wipe down the sword before putting it away, and then wiped down what he could off his clothes.

He joined in with the search around the room, and the map and dagger drew his eyes. "Dysis, would the dagger be useful to you, or does anyone mind if I hold onto it?" he asks the group.

After sorting out the gear, he looks more closely at the map. "So...how do we want to do this? It seems obvious where we should start," he says gestruing to the unfnished part of the map "But I'm not an expert on tracking or hunting things underground."

OOC: I was asking about the dagger, as Arthanos is meant to be a Two Weapon wielder. I'm aiming for larger might so I can duel wield swords, but it would be interesting to use in the mean time. If anyone actually needs it to be more useful in combat, feel free to claim it.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:20, Sun 07 July 2019.

Itylus stopped for a moment to admire the Arrows of Hephaestus. They were of the finest craftmanship he had ever seen, and the fiery insignia on them almost looked alive. The hunter had heard tales of the many mythical weapons created by the lame god of Fire, but this was his first time seeing one. Since no one else on the party used bow and arrows, Itylus kept the arrows and, almost reverently, put them on his quiver.

As he did this his eyes fell on the crumpled hooded figure on the corner of the room: the remains of the thing that had once been Gregorius. He could not help but to feel pity for it, no one deserved to be turned in to such a grotesque thing.  What had happened to him? Was it a curse from Hades himself for getting close to his artefact? Or was there some creature wielding powerful magic down in the mines and turning people in to monsters? He clutched his fist until it turned white. No one, be it god, creature or man, had the right to use dark magic to play with the lives of innocent people. I will make them pay, whoever did this to you.

---

Itylus was awoken from his brooding thoughts by Arthanos question. He joined him near the map "Well, I myself am not used to track things underground either, but I will do my best. Either way as you said, putting together this map and what we read on the journals it seems obvious where the Cap of Invisibility should be. I fear our main problem will be what awaits us once we get there. Whatever was that turned a person in to that thing" he pointed to the hooded corpse on the corner of the room.


OCC:

That is actually a great question. Do Itylus tracking abilities work on underground caves? Or only on the wilderness?

Lysandros seemed to be in thought for a few moments, then spoke. “Since there is more than one mention to sensitive to light, it is obvious there must have been some sort of transformation from human to that one eyed creature. This is evidenced by what happened to  Gregorius.. So perhaps the other miners have been also transformed into such creatures. And there must have been at least one or more of these things, to cause said transformation. The mention of a chamber of darkness might have been the lair of these things, since we ran into the same ability with what had been Gregorius.”


“It is obvious we must enter the mine, and seek out our objective. And it is to the good, we have taken the measure of the enemy, before having to do so.” Said as he  wiped off his sword blade with a rag he had found.

Wiping her brow, as the light and heat both subsided, Dysis nodded her approval at the efficacy of the three fighters.

"I knew you were all good, but that was still impressive.   You may be right, Lysandros. Though, the master, the maker of these things may well be something else. Something worse, as Itylus alludes. I suppose we also have some answer, sort of, why Paulus was missing his eyes.    Are they fed upon, in some way?   Or, is it religious, symbolic, to take them?"   She shrugged, it didn't matter so much for the time being.

"The dagger would be useful," she told Arthanos. "As it is one of only two weapons I can use with any skill.    And, Aeolus is god of the winds, which would be fitting. But, I am not one of our fighters, and it would likely see more use in your hands. And I have the belt - though I am considering giving it to another.  But I think you keep the dagger, for now."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:09, Sun 07 July 2019.

Approaching the entrance to the mine, the party pauses to examine the foot traffic. It is readily apparent to everybody that there are old tracks but also some that are relatively recent, indeed some within perhaps within just the last day given indentation in muddy ground by the mine entrance. However, there are so many that it is hard to tell whether it is all humanoid or if there are other creatures tracks. The Hooded Horror they had faced was generally humanoid in bodily appearance so the tracks could be deceptive. The party faces an extremely narrow entrance such that one person would have to enter at a time. Itylus goes in first holding a now ignited torch in hand, shortly behind him follows Lysandros. After him, in probably the safest position should an attack come is Dysis, and bringing up the rear is Arthanos, who carries a torch as well to light their rear passage in addition to allowing them to quickly leave the cave as well should they need to.

It is difficult to estimate how much time was passing while in the caverns. Map in hand, Lysandros points out to Itylus once they reach a crossroads in the passages, noting that if the map were correct, to get to the new portion of the mines as discussed in the journals, they would need to travel west. Looking in that direction, the party sees that this passage appears less developed and traveled then other passageways, and as they travel down the cavern they find that it leads to an awkward slight incline down and air that started to smell a little stale.

Eventually, after what Dysis estimates to be about an hour underground, and feeling like the passageway never ends, Itylus halts the group as they find a finds a large wooden sign that had been affixed to the cavern wall that reads:

*DANGER - LOOSE GROUND AHEAD*

Indeed, Itylus observes this as true, and as his gingerly steps forward he finds wet slippery rocks underneath him such that he could easily lose his footing on were he not careful. It would make sense that somebody working down here the first time may have had an unfortunate slip and fall, as indicated by the journals they had read previously. The loose ground appears now to lead towards a large man-sized hole leading further into the earth. Looking down the hole Itylus sees only a faint flicking of light - perhaps a lantern or two had been lit further on ahead.

---

The group pauses for a moment, both to listen to any unusual sounds as well as to catch their breath and orient themselves, but they hear nothing out of the ordinary, just dripping noises from the stalactites well above their heads. Additional examination of the hole shows a hook that had been pounded into the earth by a hammer that likely would have held rope to allow a person to safely descend. Affixing their own rope, the party descends one by one at least 20 feet in height.

Now descended further into the earth, they find somewhat wider passageways, which would allow them to stand side-by-side (though perhaps slightly too close). Lanterns are also affixed to the walls, most have been burnt out but a few appear to be burning to allow some slight light down here. Fortunately, their torches were still burning allowing them to continue forward.

They reach another crossroads, but it appears to now be somewhat inconsistent with the journals. They recall that what they read:



At this opening in the mine, they find the passage split into three directions: They could turn NORTH, they could continue moving WEST, or they could head SOUTH.

What actions did they take? And which direction would they go?

OOC: The "inconsistent notes" are my own fault. I realized as writing this up that it made no sense for the party to travel west once down another level and then come to a passageway with an direction to explore being east, the way that they had just come. Just consider this a scrivener's error.

FYI: a battle in the passageways as I have described would be very narrow so ranged weapons would not be advisable. If a battle takes place in a larger chamber like the one the group is in currently somebody like Itylus could use a bow, but may be disadvantaged.

Keep in mind also that right now I have it set that Itylus and Arthanos are holding torches. If a battle does occur at some point they are going to have to either drop the torches or hand them to somebody else if they wanted to use a shield or bow. Right now where they stand, there is no danger.

"Have we reason to favor any of these directions over the other?    None I can think of, or discern.   If either of you wants me to bear one of the torches, let me know."

Arthanos was not enjoying the trip underground. As they had entered, he'd muttered a brief prayer to Hades as an apology for entering his realm.

Now standing in a dark cavern, deep underground, following instructions that didn't match what they were looking at, Arthanos was less then happy. Muttering to himself for a minute, he chimed in.

"Go North. We are in Hades realm, and I don't want to go 'closer' to him then needed. North and South can be refereed to as up and down, and I do not want to go down. Going up makes more sense." He suddenly blurts out, the words tumbling out quickly and in a bit of a jumble.

Just like Arthanos, Itylus felt a little uneasy at the moment, though for a different reason. Though they were few, it was not credible to think those lit lanterns they had just passed were burning since the mine had been closed years ago. They meant there was someone or something down here.




The hunter noted the nervosism on Arthano's voice. He walked towards the nobleman and put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand how you feel Arthanos, but I have a proposal." He looked to his other companions and then continued. "Those lit lanterns we passed before mean either that someone from the previous parties sent by the House of Dimas passed through here recently, or... that there is something or someone inhabiting this place. Therefore we need to be more careful from now on.  I propose we try first to scout the three paths before deciding which way to go."

Pointing to the west passage, the hunter explained. "Two of us would go only as far as we can without losing visual contact from the two on the crossroad and would look for a trail, a draft or any other kind of clue as to where we should proceed. If we do not find anything then any path is as good as the other and we could go with Arthanos suggestion. What do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Wed 10 July 2019.

"Damn me for a novice and a fool, I didn't think about the lantern!  Hardly needed by beings whom thrive in darkness.  Nor would it have been lit by some insensate beast. If it wasn't lit by Dimas' representatives, it strongly suggests we have other mortal company.   Someone human like, if not human.    As to the rest, Itylus, I think it's a sound plan, if our noblemen have no other opinion."   

To Arthanos, she added-  "My patron is Persephone, Hades' wife.  She spends half of each year in his kingdom, and isn't entirely miserable about it, as best I understand. Not I'm recommending any of us go there, before our time.  But, I think Lord Hades is not as cruel as the true enemy we will face down here."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Thu 11 July 2019.

Taking precautions, the party decides to get a sense of what might lay in the three directions that lay before them. It was decided that Itylus and Dysis would try each direction, as Itylus could rely on his hunter's instincts, while Dysis could rely on her arcane perceptions or the magic in her belt should they encounter another unnatural darkness as they had in the outside administration building.

HEADING NORTH

As the two enter the northern passageway they find the further they go in the more spider webs they begin to see accumulating. At first these webs were barely perceptible with only a smattering of cobwebs in the corners in the passageway, or on the ceiling or sides... but as they continue to head in, it appears to get thicker. Examining the ground, Itylus does not see any signs of recent passage, and there are no lanterns lit the further they go in. Thus, it may have been some time since anybody has been down this way. It may be at some point they might not be able to go in further and may have to rely on their weapons (or torches) to get past the webs.

Not risking going in further and being out of eye or earshot of Arthanos and Lysandros, the two head back, and travel the other direction.

HEADING SOUTH

Traveling down this passageway it is not too long before the two smell the sickeningly sweet smell of decaying flesh. Cautiously, they continue forward and find the source, it being a corpse of a dead human. It appeared to still be in an early state of decomposition. From what they can tell on a cursory inspection this person had been a woman, a warrior by the looks of her (namely by her armor and sword still clasped in her hand) and it appears she had sustained some damage in a battle with several stab wounds in her torso. However, the most startling thing about her that her eyes appear to be missing.

Whether this is due to decomposition, a scavenger of some kind, or some other cause, they are not able to determine.

Itylus peers further down the passage and takes a few additional steps but sees no other lanterns lit or signs of life. Although he can see tracks on the ground, it is hard to gauge just how recent they are, but they do seem to indicate perhaps only one or two persons moving. Again, not wanting to get too far ahead of the everybody else, the two head back, and now head to the west.

HEADING WEST

Unlike the Northern or Southern passages, Itylus and Dysis find as they begin to travel down this passage that this is better lit, with dim lanterns appearing to go the entire length. It is also a much more traversed passage as well. Eventually the two stop in their tracks, Dysis holding a hand up to the hunter as she hears something. Straining their ears to listen past the noise of the torch, both of them think they can hear voices rebounding further down the passage. Although they cannot make out what is being said, it sound like it is humans who are speaking.

Not wanting to risk detection just yet, the two turn around and head back to where Arthanos and Lysandros wait, and share the findings of their investigation...

What actions did they take? And which direction would they go?

 In a whisper,Lysandros spoke to his companions. You heard speech, it might be those creatures, then again, it might not. I say we advance toward the voices, if they be human, I might treat with them.But if they are those eye things, then we reap a crimson harvest, by Athena."

Arthanos watched the other Itylus and Dysis scout each path as he worked to get himself under control.

When they returned and shared their knowledge, he forced himself to consider the information without his fears influencing.

"Where were the wounds on the body? Front or back?" he asked, his mind contemplating the body before switching to the voices and Lysandros' comments. "Advancing on the voices makes sense...assuming we are hearing something. They said it was faint, and we know these things can trick the mind with pictures...why couldn't they do the same with sound?"

The hunter replied also in a whisper: ^{"Arthanos is right. We think we heard voices, but we cannot be completely sure. It could have been some sort of illusion. However it still is truth that the west path is the only one with lit lanterns, therefore it's most likely there where  we'll find whoever has been keeping the lanterns alight ."}

He pondered for a moment, absently scratching his beard while thinking, then slowly he proceeded^{"I think it is notlikely that the eye-creatures are on the west passage. Not only because the South passage with the eyeless body looks far more suspicious on that regard, but also because everything we read on the journals suggests those creatures really hate light. I don't think they would be the ones lighting the place up. As Dysis' said, creatures of the dark have no need for light."}

Itylus walked towards the west path ^{"Considering this I think it is possible that Lysandro's is right and there is someone else there. And if that is the case they could have useful information for us, so I also agree with trying this path."} his voice suddenly darkened ^{Though there is a risk of Arthanos being right and it being a trap."}
This message was last edited by the player at 04:20, Sat 13 July 2019.

She nodded.  "Then let only one of us scout ahead, down the west passage, with the other three behind for a swift rescue, if needed.   I know a spell of shadow that will better my stealth, make me suited for that." She shrugged.  "It might not work against things of darkness.  But, I do not believe that is what's down there, for reasons that were said."

Unless anyone was to gainsay the idea, Dysis proceeded to unhook the Belt of Apollo, and hand it over to Itylus.  "Wouldn't do to have this trigger while I'm cloaked with darkness.  Not sure what would occur, don't wish to know the hard way."

She smiled grimly.  "If they are human, and spot me anyway, the spell may give them the wrong idea. Like I'm one of the enemy.  But, there are risks no matter what we choose.  I'll take this one."   

Again, no one stopping her, she invoked 'Cloak of Shadows.' (Mag 1 magic is 2 points to cast, if I remember?)   And stealthily as possible begin to make her way westward...

Note-  my plan is to approach and listen better, not end up in anyone's line of sight, if I can avoid that.   
This message was last edited by the player at 16:50, Sat 13 July 2019.

The Western Passage

After handing the Belt of Apollo to Itylus, the Elementalist steps back and closes her eyes as she silently invokes her Cloak of Shadows. The three men watch her image begins to flicker despite the torchlight. The flickering of the shadows around her grew stronger as each second passed. Although she was not completely invisible to their sight, they did notice that if they were to glance away from her for a moment and turn their eyes back it was becoming more and more difficult to tell that she was there, and as she turned to wander off down the passageway she was almost like a dark blur in their vision.

The two nobles and the hunter waited while Dysis traveled back down the western passage. This time she ventured past the zone that she and Itylus had stopped before. Dysis knew that she had to move quickly as her Cloak would only be effective for about 5 minutes or so before she would have to re-invoke it once again.

She travels silently - the shadows enveloping her providing almost a kind of cushion that muffled all noise that she possibly could have made. As she walked, Dysis did continue to hear voices speaking at times in a heated discussion but it was still hard to tell what they were saying. However, the further she traveled the clearer the voices became. Slowing herself for a moment, she finds that the passage now slopes slightly upwards and turns to the northwest. She puts a hand on the cool cavern wall and sneaks as close as she dares to what appears to be an opening up into a much larger cavern.

Catching her breath she strains her ears and hears the voices speaking again...

"I think pets needs rest now. We work them tomorrow, what you think Kildrao?"
"Agree. Agree. They sleep. But me Hungry. Wants to eat."
"What about lizard thing? It look tasty."
"No No Heqlno, Carapax is special gift, not for eats. Go have pets scavenge from spiders for eats. Or go munch on ratling."
"But last time lost pet to spiders. My favorite pet! And Ratlings not taste good."
"Then go hungry."

This continues on in a similar vein with the voices bickering over their "pets" and being hungry.

Although tempted to go back to report her findings to the others, Dysis first dares to peek from her position to see what manner of being is speaking...

---

Floating Eyes... And four of them. The strange beings were floating around the cavern talking to one another with their peduncles floating and looking every which way as well.

Daring fate, Dysis takes another minute to look around the cavern from her vantage point. In this larger cavern she also sees the "pets" which are about four humans (that she can readily see) who stood almost frozen in place wearing a kind of expressionless look on their faces. Each of them were holding pickaxes in hand but they did not appear to be simple miners. Each wore a different assortment of clothing: one appeared to be an archer, carrying a bow and quiver of arrows, another a northern Barbarian of some kind, the third wearing a bearing similar to Lysandros or Arthanos - a minor nobleman perhaps? and the fourth wearing priestly robes such as Dysis had seen on Eurenomes when he had traveled with the group.

Additionally in the room, Dysis cannot help but see a large iron cage in the room as well which appeared to contain a small creature that was huddled in robes, though from her vantage point she could not tell what it was.

Dysis pulls herself away and goes back to report what she had seen and heard to the others...
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:34, Mon 15 July 2019.