Jardel stopped to wait for Culdat in the front of the line. Whispering, he hoped to be heard over the crackling flames of his blade-torch. "Cal’, make sure you swipe at anything above 4’ in height. That way you will surely elude Culdat." Remaining standing in the rear of the narrow hallway, he continued to suck on the peppermint leaves he had stuck within his lower lip, refreshing the otherwise bile taste in his mouth from rising fear. Caladan gripped his new sword tightly in the two-handed grip and proceeded as silently as possible in plate, standing right behind Culdat ready to decapitate anything that might jump from the corner. He mumbled to himself "I really don't like this place !" Culdat moved forward ahead of the magical light. Soon disappearing entirely into the darkness, Caladan followed mumbling. Culdat strained his halfling ears listening for anything. The only sounds were those from water dripping and wind howling distantly. He crept forward a little more, running his hands across the floor and walls with expertice. Caladan awaited in anticipation of a suprise. After feeling for a moment, everyone heard a grunt from Culdat, like saying, "What's this ?" Then a sound of something moving quickly through air then striking a wall near Culdat with a metallic clang followed.
Hearing the clang up ahead, Humus whispered to Jardel, "What do you think that was ? It sounded like an arrow to me. I hope that Culdat is all right and he lets us know soon what he has found out. We had best wait here until he returns just in case. No sense in giving away his position to anything lurking around the corner." Culdat returned to the group out of the shadows running his hands through his hair. Turning to Caladan and the rest of his companions he whispered, "The hallway turns to the left and into another thirty foot corridor. Watch your heads, there's an axe blade sticking out of the wall about five feet high. There's no sign of any movement up ahead, but I think I saw my life flash before my eyes." The little halfling paused for a moment and sighed. "Shall we continue ?" Before Jardel was able to remark on the strange sound, which he would have guessed as an arrow or spear trap, tiny Culdat appeared back within the light source of the flame blades. "Good work Culdat. Thanks for the warning. Now move up ahead and find more traps. If we stay below the swing of the blade we should all be fine." Relieved at finding out that Culdat was all right, Humus whispered, "Great work Culdat ! I'm glad that we have you to disarm the traps for us. I must admit that I don't entirely trust this corridor considering what you found. I'm thinking that we might want to try something that might be a little risky. Culdat, when you are checking ahead of us, try tossing a small pebble several feet ahead of you and try to make it skip a little. That might trigger any nasty traps." Humus grimly added, "We most certainly don't want you to lose your head. This will make more noise, but I think that it will be more important to avoid the traps and deal with the monsters as they appear. What say the rest of you ?" Culdat shrugged, and turned back to his duty. "Be careful of the shiny smooth plates on the floor, that's what did it last time." Culdat searched the floor beyond the first trap and continued around the corner, his eyes adjusting once again to the darkness. Meticulous in his search, the ceiling, the walls, the floor, over and over. The halfling stepped over the metal plate and paused to listen for a few moments, then he continued to creep up the corridor. Taking Culdats advice about the metal plates, Humus put his shield in a defensive position and followed with his sword raised. Ashal took a moment to annotate their position and that of the trap on his map. Putting his quill and papyrus back into his pouch he started humming in a low key and volume, a melody that was unmistakably a lullaby. Da Ghiri followed the others, maintaining his position in the marching order. Likewise heeding his small companions advice, Da Ghiri treaded lightly and avoided the smooth, shiny plates. He attended carefully to the details of the corridor and maintained himself in a half-fighting stance as he proceeded. Jardel walked after the rest and carefully avoided the plates. The group decided to march forward cautiously. Culdat stayed ahead at the edge of the light checking for traps and occasionally throwing stones down the corridor to hit something smooth and shiny, or something different entirely.
Turning the corner the party saw a mirror image of the corridor they just walked through, this one heading west 30’ as Culdat had said. At the edge of the light, they saw that the corridor ended abruptly into a 2-way intersection, like a "T". Culdat found no traps in the area. One corridor headed north, the other south. Culdat heard far away voices coming from the north, laughter and joking in general. They seemed to be speaking common, though it was hard to tell as the voices were so far away. It also sounded like there were two voices. Either direction, one could only see a 10' wide corridor heading into darkness. A dim, far away light emenated from the northern direction, as if torches were lit. The south was very dark, as if Hell was breathing darkness. Ashal whispered, "Although there may be people who can give us answers to the north - with a little persuasion, the south probably holds what we're looking for." Humus commanded his sword to shine less brightly at a 5' radius. He then motioned Jardel to lower the light coming from his sword to lessen the chance of detection. Whispering to the others, "It appears that we have a choice to make my friends. Obviously the enemy is to the North, and the unknown is to the South. We must decide on which path to take. If we take the northern path, we will undoubtedly fight whomever is talking - and thus having reinforcements bearing down on us. If we take the southern corridor, we face the unknown and we have the enemy at our backs. I for one do not like having the enemy at the rear. I say we take the northern corridor. Of course, majority rules as always. What path say the rest of you ?" Looking to the spellcasters, "I do not know what spells you have memorized, but if there was some way one of you could let us move more silently, we would have a great advantage no matter what path we take." Humus added with a grim face, "To tell you the truth, my feelings tell me to go South. I feel that our path will ultimately lead there. The only reason I say go North is that I do not want to be trapped in these narrow corridors." Caladan supported the cavalier "You make sense Humus, We don't know what we are facing in the southern direction and if it proves to be dangerous, it might be smarter to have cleared the escape route first and we might be able to get some information from the North ... one way or another. As my old master once said to a person trying to get a higher price for some information than my master and him originally agreed on. I can always kill you and force the answers out of your spirit !" The older holy warrior edged up to the group remaining in the ‘T’ intersection, yet still standing within the recently traversed 30’ hallway. His flame blade crackled illuminating only a direct 15’ radius area around him. "Humus, I have no way of changing my light source and let me tell you, I am better off with it than without !" Pondering the choices presented he sighed heavily. "Choices ... decisions ... let us travel North and encounter the creatures, possibly humans, whose voices are to be heard. The southern path takes us back towards the exterior of the mountain, whereas the northern path heads directly into the earth. Plainly it seems logical to face known foes than venture into the unknown and possibly have to retreat into them later, as Cal’ assessed correctly. Culdat, please lead us again towards the voices into the darkness using your better eye-sight. If you can again warn us of what awaits our blades and magic we might be able to surprise them with a spell or an arrow. Da Ghiri, your holding spell is very effective and perhaps some magical missiles from our mages could dispose of them quickly. If these halls though can echo their conversations to us so easily, then my friends ... we might already have been heard and ..."
Humus countered Jardel in a whisper, "I too am debilitated in the darkness, but I'd rather be mostly in the darkness at the moment as to let those to the North - or anything to the South - know that we are here. As to whether is is best to go North or South overall, we do not know. Yes, it may seem that to go North may seem like it goes where we want, deeper into the cave, but do we really know for sure ? We must keep our minds open to the possibilities. There just might be stairs or a major airshaft to the South. Until we find out for sure, we will never know. Anyway, let us go North and make sure that our foes do not have a chance to strike at us and then make up our minds as to the direction to take." Continuing he added, "Also, let us prepare properly for battle instead of rushing off - our spell casters have not mentioned if they have any spells that might help us get closer unnoticed. Any advantage that we can get now will help us in the long run. We don't want everyone in the cave to know where we are - at least yet." Culdat waited until he had heard most of the group speak their mind. Culdat's thoughts centered on stealth and silence. He motioned each of the group who spoke to keep his voice low. Not wanting to create a confusion by turning south, the little halfling slid ahead into the darkness to the north, attempting to locate any trip wires or such that would give away his presence. This time however, he stayed within a few feet of the next in line, in case he ran into a stand off and a more offensive push was required than could be mounted by his personage. "Noorth seems as goood a direction as any", Da Ghiri agreed quietly.
For the most part, there was little in the way of a decision on which way to go. The conversation leaned more to going north to take care of an enemy at ones back as well as clearing a possible escape route. Culdat was the brave one who decided for the group as he set out to the north. Having little choice now, the group followed, Culdat staying a little closer to the group now in case of a fight. The light scource to the North began getting brighter as the party moved through the corridor. The light was reflecting from around another corner to the Northwest, not quite as sharp as the previous turns. This one was more like bearing to the left. This occured after 30 more feet of traveling past the "T" intersection. Culdat went low and checked the ground for any traps and listened. Hearing nothing, he motioned the group forward once again, staying within 15’ of Humus at the fore of the group. As everyone turned the corner, the scource of the light could be seen, apparantly from a room about 60’ ahead on the same path. Nearly 30' ahead, on the northeast right wall was another branch off of the cave's corridors. The scource of the voices were coming from the room ahead, though at this distance one could not tell who or what they were, but there were two distinct humanoid figures dressed in black ahead in that room, apparantly yucking it up with one another as they joked with one another. Their voices clearly sounded human and their speech definetely common and the accent was one heard from this area. Mostly crude jokes about women could be heard, and a few boasts that were obvious lies. Looking back from where the party came, the light changed into darkness and the shadows from the flickering torchlight coming from the room ahead could be seen dancing across the faces of worried friends.
Seeing the two humanoids, Humus stopped the procession. He willed his sword to stop shining light entirely. He whispered, "Da Ghiri, do you think that you could cast that holding spell on them both - like you did for Olar ? I must admit that I'm not a spellcaster so I don't know if you can affect both of them at once." Then to Caladan and Kethas, "Do either one of you have spells that could disorient or silence the two up ahead ? If you do, we might be able to get the drop on them. I don't want to kill them immediately unless it is necessary. We need as much information that we can get now as we can get." In any case, we will only have one shot at this, and we had better make it count. We don't want everything that breathes - or used to breathe - come down on us all at once." Jardel walked behind the group, trying to discern any figures from the distant room. Once within the area of the side passage 30’ from the room he detected evil in both directions. The light source, momentarily the only light source, still crackled softly and warmed his face. Quietly he whispered "There is a time for caution and a time for action. Should our spell casters not have adequate means to silencing or completely defeating the men in the chamber, then I suggest the action of a full fledge charge into the room. That way we could possibly block all exits and all take care of the men, as I guess death knights, at once, nobody blocking doorways. Again, time is of the essence. Kethas, Ashal, Da Ghiri, what can you do to win this battle ?" Realizing what he just said, Humus added in a whisper, "I'm sorry Ashal, I forgot about your spellcasting abilities. If there is anything that you could do to help spell-wise it would be greatly appreciated."
As the warriors continued to plan the advance, Culdat studied the room ahead, attempting to discern what else might be of hinderance within the room, other than the two humanoids. Humus whispered to Jardel, "Most likely a full charge will be required even if the spellcasters have the spells that are needed. In any case, let us fighters be in a position to rush in to support any spells that are cast. We will have to do this quickly to keep the entire cave from being alerted to our presence." Da Ghiri whispered back, "I can hoold up to threee with that spell, thoough you shoould be prepared to move in quickly as well. It's noot a sure thing." Assumming they were within range, Da Ghiri wanted to cast the spell on the two figures when everyone was ready. Ashal added "Indeed, I may be able to buy us some time once in the chamber. I'm not sure who or what we'll be up against, but am willing to try. My suggestion is that we make a quick entry into the room and draw the opposition to us. It is then, that I will cast. It is paramount however, that we cover the exits as soon as possible, because if my enchantment is indeed successful, the occupants will attempt to flee if the exits are not blocked. Perhaps in fear, they will reveal valuable information. Be forewarned though, if cornered, they will fight." Readying himself for the scenario ahead, Ashal rubbed his hands together rapidly, finally bracing them together directly in front of him. After hearing Da Ghiri's and Ashal's proposed plans with spells Humus whispered, "Great ! Both of those spells should help out. Da Ghiri, do you think that your spell can reach the two humanoids ? They are at least 60’ away. If not, we might try to creep up a little closer. Anyway, let us fighters each take to the sides of the walls. After Da Ghiri has cast his spell, we shall rush the two figures. I'll take one, Jardel you can take the other, and Caladan why don't you assist as you deem appropriate. After we are engaged, Ashal can cast his spell. Wait a minute - Ashal, I was wondering something. That spell that you mentioned, would it affect us all or just the two figures ? If it would affect us all, I could rush them to draw their attention and you could cast your spell. The others could move in to secure the exits. Otherwise, we could do as I had proposed earlier. Does this plan sound appropriate to everyone ? If not, speak up now." Whispering so that the two figures didn't hear Caladan "I got a spell that will keep them busy for a while. I can summon one or more up to eight huge webs that will capture them ... but with the size of this place it will prevent us from moving past them. So I say that we should wait until Da Ghiri has cast the spell and then charge if one or both is unaffected ! We actually don't know if they are hostile. Anyone think of that ?"
After hearing the various whispered plans, the older warrior edged himself up towards the front of the line, certainly being let through considering his still crackling flame blade posing a visible threat to the spell casters. Quietly he summarized the plan. "Men, hear me now. Humus and I will charge the room each attacking one of the black knights within, right after Da Ghiri and Ashal have cast their spells. Caladan, I prefer your sword with us rather than spells - save them for later, I am sure the web spell will come in handy. What happens then we shall see, only after entering the room and encountering its denizens we will know what to do next. Make sure no one and nothing escapes the chamber, to alarm the rest of the caves here ! Good luck and praise Heimdall." As it seemed that the plan was pretty much laid out, Humus addressed everyone again in a whisper, "It appears that we are about ready to move. Jardel, why don't you take the right cave wall and I the left. The two spell casters should be able to fire off their spells between us, and we can then start the charge. I'm thinking that we might need to get a little closer before we implement the plan so that the spells will for sure be in range. Caladan, I understand your concerns about them being hostile or not. Just remember where we are. I feel that anything innocent or good here would be locked in a cage being readied for sacrifice. Remember what we had to go through to just get in here - harpies."
Da Ghiri said quietly, "60’ is the limit of the spell. Perhaps we shoould get a bit cloooser. If they nootice us, I will cast. Be ready". "I need only be within 80'. However, they must be in a fairly close group," Ashal replied in a hushed voice. "After I weave my magic, I will assist the warriors in securing any possible exits." Culdat moved to the side of the corridor to allow the rest of the group to charge and cast spells. The warriors Jardel, Humus, and Caladan moved forward with their backs to the walls and nodded to Da Ghiri and Ashal. Jardel looked both directions for a moment, into the corridor to the right and into the room, and detected evil from the room, but not from the corridor. The entire place radiated a slight aura of evil, so it was hard to pinpoint anything that was not extreme evil. But the two humans radiated a slightly darker evil than that of the rest of the place. Da Ghiri began moving his hands and murming words of prayer while Ashal began his incantations aswell. While looking into the room, the two humans stood upright grabbing their swords, as they felt a little strange and didn’t know what to make of it. Then the one on the left stood perfectly still like a statue. The other dropped his sword and fell to the floor, trembling and balling up like a child in a nightmare on the floor. The warriors charged the room finding no threat inside. Looking to the right eastern side of the room, everyone saw a large chest next to the wall. The humans were dressed quite well, with ceremonial armor and bright, bejeweled swords at their sides. But they were normal looking beyond that, besides maybe the soft look about them , as if they were wealthy. They didn’t appear much like warriors upon closer examination, more like royalty. The size of the chest against the wall suggested wealth as well. To the north was an exit to the room and the room was lit by torchlight well enough to see a hole in the floor with the light going down into the hole. Ashal advanced into the room after the warriors. "I suggest that we bind them both, and perhaps ask some questions. That is unless you think that our presence hasn't been detected by whoever, or better said, whatever runs this place."
Culdat moved quickly from the shadows of the passage to the large chest on near the wall. He studied the thing thoroughly, then paused. "Perhaps we could come back to this ? Our need is great and I'm certain the treasure inside here will not be of much assistance, but I would love to come back to it if I could. What say the rest of you ?" The halfling continued to study the large box, looking for any traps and or locks to pick, all the while waiting for the others to respond.
Seeing that the two humans were not going to put up much of a fight, Humus took out his rope. Handing one end to Caladan, "Make sure that he is bound and gagged tightly. I have a feeling that they are not going to want to answer the questions that we have for them, and we most certainly don't want them to try to get away. Ashal, if you would, cover the exit to the North, Caladan you cover the exit to the South. We don't want to be interrupted during the interrogation. Culdat, why don't you check out that chest ? We need to make sure that we find that staff for Enchantra. Just be careful and if there looks like there is a trap, hold back for a bit." With a grim smile he added, "We'll see if our new ‘friends’ can help us open it." "Consider it done Humus", Ashal says as he heads for the northern portal. After the two figures were tied up and the spells wore off, Humus addressed the others, "Now let us see what they know. Da Ghiri are you able to cast that spell to tell if they are telling the truth or not ? I don't want to be misled at all. Jardel, would you assist me with the interrogations ? When the gags are removed, we don't want them to yell out. Maybe some cold steel against their necks will persuade them to behave ?" Caladan winked at Humus "So if they don't want to talk to us we can just kill them and torment their souls until they give us the answers we want !" Caladan smiled at the group, so everyone knew he was only joking ! When everyone was ready, he addressed the prisoners, "I'm going to ask you a few questions now, and you are going to answer them truthfully for me - or else." He removed the gag from one of the prisoners and began the interrogation. The held individual said nothing, probably due to being held, but the frightened one stammered in response to Humus’ questions, "What are you doing here ?" "We are here as guards from the noble Sharmaign, a general of mercenaries in the east who wishes to offer Balazaar a gift and to ask for his alliance in the fight with Asmodeus." "That chest over there, what is in it ? Is it trapped ? If so, how can we open it safely ?" "That is Sharmaign's gift to Balazaar, a lot of gems I think, I'm not sure, and if it's trapped I dont know how or what it is," "Who and what else is in this cave? Any knights?" "I dont know, this place scares the hell out of me, I just got here myself, " "Where is the demon?" "He is down below, torturing someone in the presence of Sharmaign," "What do you know of the Staff of Magius?" "I've never heard of such a staff, " "What is to the corridor to the South?" "I think that there are some of Balazaar's guards down there, I'm not sure, this is as far as I've gone," "What is in the hole in the floor to the North?" "That is the stairs down, somewhere down there Balazaar and Sharmaign are together."
Da Ghiri nodded solemnly and went about preparations for his ‘spell’. He took his rice bowl from his wicker pack and poured a small amount of water in it, then plucked a hair from each of the prisoners, dropping them into the bowl while chanting in an unfamiliar language. While Humus performed his interrogation the little priest continued to study the bowl in a semi-trance.
Jardel turned his attention towards the room itself aswell as the other exit. With disbelief he ignored the treasure chest. In a serious tone he speaks "Come on now, men ... do you really think this room is actually filled with obvious treasure. Do you think we march into the most evil of all caves here, wander only 60’ or 90’ and wind up in the first room, curiously enough filled with a chest ? I rather think this is part of a trap of some sorts, at east a ruse to lead us from the true trail. No evil ruler would leave any valuable baubles this open and easy to retrieve." After Humus questioned the men, the knight positioned himself next to the far exit, sword drawn and ready for any surprises, listening to but not expecting any possible answers. "Da Ghiri, you might notice him lie, but what makes you think he will even talk. I believe he is more frightened of his ruthless leader than of a band of foolish and ‘good’ adventurers, yes, foolish enough to venture right down here. Let us hurry and be on with it." Humus interjected "Jardel, of course this could be a trap. In a way, I'm half expecting it. On the other hand, we cannot just ignore everything that we come across. We need as much information and tools as we can get. Anyway, I personally would like to know how volatile the situation might be. If we go through the corridore to the North, is it going to blow up or could there be something else in it ?" Pointing his sword towards the nearest prisoner, "If nothing else, let us try to get some information out of these two. They may not talk, but if they don't their fates are sealed and justice will be done for protecting the enemy. We will then decide which direction to take" Thinking for a moment he added, "Will someone check out their weapons and armor ? See if it is useable or valuable in any way. They most certainly won't be needing it." After hearing Jardel's opinion, the halfling stopped what he was doing with the chest, thinking twice about what the true objective was. "Humus, I think perhaps we should wait until these two speak to us about what they are doing here, before I decide to continue with this chest. Besides, if Enchantra's staff is in this chest, I'll be a pickled dwarfs toe !" Culdat moved to attempt to secure the room, and the passage beyond, searching for any sign of threat from above, below, and beyond. Culdat moved quickly from the shadows of the passage to the large chest on near the wall. "Perhaps we could come back to this ? Our need is great and I'm certain the treasure inside here will not be of much assistance, but I would love to come back to it if I could. What say the rest of you ?" Caladan drew his sword and walked to the southern exit to cover it as he looked back over his shoulder and said "Just don't kill these as you did those bloodknights !"
Taken back by Caladans remark, Humus spoke, "Caladan, you wound me with your words. If I could have delayed the black knight's death I would have, but at the time it was him or me. I'm not about to roll over and die and let an evil knight walk all over me so we could possibly have a chat about what he knows. Anyway, these two are tied up nicely for the moment. We all shall have a say in deciding their fate. Also, talking about the knight - I seem to remember you detecting magic on Olar's items. Do you think that you could do the same for these two's items and the chest ?" "I haven't got that spell ready, but I do have a speak with dead." Searching all around, Culdat found a trap, and disarmed it, telling everyone that if he were to open it, it would have spit some foul smelling liquid at him. The chest was otherwise untrapped, but still locked as Culdat wished to wait until the interogation was over before opening the chest. After examination of the armor and weapons of the prisoners, one could tell that they were well made, but not magical. The armor was of fine platemail and the longswords spoke of bloodshed many times, but no wear was visible.
Half pleased with some of the answers, Humus pressed on, "My little friend here wishes to open the chest. Do you have a key to it ? If not, where is it ?" "No, Sharmaign has it, he does not trust anyone with it, and he didnt take the chest incase Balazaar decides not to ally with us." Humus asked the others, "Is there anything else that any of you want to know about ? I'm about out of questions at the moment. Anyway, what are we to do with them ? I'm thinking that we should take their weapons and armor to be on the safe side no matter. We can put the armor and probably the chest in the bag of holding, but I'd be hesitant about putting the swords in there. We don't want to rupture the bag." After the fate of the prisoners had been decided, Humus approached Caladan. "I believe that you mentioned a web spell. How long does it last ? I don't like the idea of those guards behind us in that Southern corridor. I'd rather temporarily block off this room to the South as to have them attack us from the rear." Looking to Di Ghiri and Ashal, "Does anyone have any type of spell that will last for a long while that will block this area off until we are ready to come back this way?" Caladan explained his spell casting abilities. "With my weak magical abilities I can only conjure a web that will last about one hour. But I'm able to split the spell up in several smaller webs and thereby I could seal of this room completely and prevent other from entering it, unless they destroy the web, while we take care of the guards to the south. That way we will not have anyone behind us."
Seemingly quiet Jardel listened to the valuable knowledge acquired from the frightened man. "This seems to be very interesting. We have several alternatives to continue. Shall we open the chest or not ? Humus has a good idea with putting it in our special bag. Leave the swords and armor behind and check on the contents of the chest at a more preferential time. Our next move should lead us more directly down towards Balazaar. Let us enter the hole and try to surprise him as soon as possible. No time wearing us down with minor minions of this foe should be wasted. We should leave these two tied up and silenced here. Caladan, save your spells for later, we should need them in a possible quick retreat later, who kows ? Furthermore, we have another adversary with Sharmaign, another foe to deal with when encountered. Should no one object let us enter the hole in our previous order. Right ?" Da Ghiri shook his head in the negative. "I'm afraid wee'll probably have too just leave these two tied up and hoope they are discovered sooon." To the plans for continuing, the priest stated simply, "The hoole is acceptable to me". Culdat yawned and attempted to calm his butterflies. "We may as well get this over with, now that we're here." Seeing that the path had been decided, Humus spoke, "It appeared that the majority has spoken. To the hole it is then. Culdat, why don't you put the chest in the bag of holding so we can find out what is in it later." Looking at the prisoners he added, "Jardel, would you help me move these two out of the way a little bit ? We don't want them out in the open so anyone or anything can find them easily. Against one of the walls well away from the entrances would be fine. We will come back this way later and deal with them properly." Humus then put the gags back into place and started moving the prisoners out of sight. After that was done, Humus commanded his sword to shine brightly again. "Culdat, would you lead us on towards the hole ? It will most likely get more difficult from now on so be sure to check everything for traps." The little halfling attempted to move the large chest into the comfort of the bag of holding. With a little help from one of the swordsmen he succeeded. After everyone had readied themselves, Culdat moved out along the corridor to the intersection which lead to the stairwell. He then began to check meticulously for traps and other surprises.
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