They barely managed to catch their breath, realizing where they were before there was a knock at the door to their left. Cautiously, it was answered.
Vega stood there. "You could have warned me you were leaving-"
A pause as Vega and Theamen see each other for the first time.
"Ah, you must be the druid they told me about."
"And you...are...who are you?"
Introductions are made as they move on.
In one room, a series of voices can be heard. The names Orbo and Hellenrae are mentioned.And in not positive terms. Judging by the number, it seemed as though they could be persuaded to be allies.
Only upon opening the door did the party realize that the disgruntled voices were not alone. A handful of Blackened Earth Cultists were there as well.
A fight eventually broke out after persuasion and deception failed. The Duergar helped the party. They said something that only Vega caught. "We'll let the cultists wear them down, and we'll clean up the mess."
"Opportunistic bastards." Vega snapped.
"You know it!" The Duergar turned on the party.
Menelwen, still standing just outside the door sent a Thunderwave in, trying to get the Duergar off of Vega and Thok.
Thunder...in a stone room...it pushed them away, but the sound was deafening.
Menelwen and Herny were pulled into the room and to the far wall.
Theamen and Thok (who was cursing at the stupid wizard) boarded the door as best as they could in preparation for the reinforcements that were coming.
And did they come.
It was a grueling fight, but it revealed a few things. How strong Vega, Thok, and Theamen were. Some pretty awesome spells (Fireball and Cloud of Daggers) from Theamen's book...
And a lovely singing voice, as Theamen revealed himself to be a bladesinger. One who used the lion style of blade singing.
After the reinforcements were dealt with, and no one else came...the party shut the door on the bodies and pushed on.
Eventually they found the kitchen, a safe space to recover. And talk safely.
Thok was the first. He berated Menelwen for her use of magic. And to be more careful. It all could have ended much worse for them, and would have had more people come.
That conversation done, Menelwen turned to Theamen.
"You're a blade singer. But that's not possible. You're human." Bladesinging was an Elvish secret.
"Yes...well..." He hesitated. He confided in her that on his father's side, they were Paladins of Mystra. His mother's side was entertainers. It was through her that he met and was able to train under an Elvish swordsmith in secret.
She regarded him for a moment. Then just furiously started slapping at him. Dealing no damage but yelling at him in Elvish for a good few minutes. Eventually when she calmed, she agreed to keep the secret.
After some rest and recovery, the party moved on. They had managed to find and take robes of the cultists and their masks. All but Theamen put them on.
And on they went.
To a door that opened to a staircase leading down into a dais.
On the dias stood two individuals. In fancier robes.
Wanting to know what the ruckus was, the two, Orbo and Hellenrae demanded they speak. The party said that there were intruders that had been...dealt wth. But there had been casualties.
"Very well. Bring the bodies. It's nearly feeding time anyway,"
Feeling perturbed, the party, accompanied by two guards (who were dispensed with easily) went away to gather the bodies for feeding time. Of whatever it was that they had there...
~To Be Continued~
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