Chapter 12: Shadows in the Dark

[Dave W.]

Adamant is still working on not showing his tension. He takes his place as the group sets out.

---

I know, still not really an action verb there... We're all queued up waiting for Shorak at the head of the column...

[Joe]

Streko remains near Kal and Tangat, following them closely. "Stay close," he whispers. "There's safety in numbers."

[Dave B.]

Shorak nods at Belarin and waits for Kal to gain his feet and everyone els to queue up to continue. He then continues down towards the quays and the light, trying to get as good an angle as possible to see where the light is exactly, without getting too close to the water's edge.

[Jeff]

Shorak leads the group on.

A short while later and you’re walking along a stony path between the quay-like protrusions that jut out over and into the too-still waters of the bay and a squat, rocky plateau that somehow represents the street just above it. As you move between one and another, the ruined structures collected between them like eddied detritus are shipwrecks. It’s a strange sight, because the water is very still so you can’t image how any ship could get dashed into these jagged quays. Yet here they are. They all look old and darkened by time.

Once again, it seems so strange to Shorak to be here along these docks and yet not smell fish or any salty air at all. Not to mention, it’s far quieter than the Harbor district. Most places wharfside in Stormreach you have to shout to be heard.

As you pass each quay, the tall, dark, and monstrous shapes of the Whelmed stir amid the wrecked ships. They observe you but none come forth to engage you.

“If they had an Eberron counterpart,” Histra says to Belarin, though she can be heard by everyone else in this too-quiet place, “the Whelmed would be like the merrow—large, ogre-like merfolk corrupted by worship of the Dragon Below. But the Whelmed, though they may share some aspects of the undead, are not so; like most denizens of this plane, the Whelmed were never ‘alive’ in the way that we think of it. That which has never lived cannot be undead.”

Judging from the white beam of light in the distance overhead, Shorak judges that they the party might be able to espy its source once past the next five quays.

Even as he observes this, the party can see that there is a gathering of Whelmed—about a dozen of them—ahead near one of the quays. They seem to be surrounding a group of human and smaller-sized figures. Or once-living spirits, given their indistinct shapes. While they are not technically blocking your path, you would need to tighten your formation to move past them all. Even then, you'd be moving quite close.

[Brian]

Spotting the figures gathered before them, Condign mutters, "Whatever twisted god rules our fate, he must take great pleasure in our anguish." The tiefling quickly assesses the situation. "Belarin, I think you should go first, with the lady Histra alongside. You two have certain attributes that may help avoid a conflict. The rest of us should trail tightly behind. Adamant and I can bring up the rear, in case there is trouble after we pass." He eyes Kal. "What do you think?"

[Darren]

"Agreed," says Kal to Condign's plan. "Remember, Shorak, we don't need to get TO that light, we just need to know where it's coming from so we can locate it back on our plane." He peers ahead. "If the Whelmed make a move towards us, we back up. Don't try to get through, and don't get separated. We aren't looking for a fight." Whenever Shorak, Histra, and Belarin are ready to lead the way, Kal follows behind them.

[Ken]

Without looking at Kal or Condign, Belarin moves forward and begins walking alongside Histra.

"Tell me, Histra," he says, staring at the huge Whelmed, "do the Whelmed have a purpose in Dolurrh? Do they feed upon the spirits, like scavengers? Or are they monitors? They presumably have intelligence, if you're able to reason with them, at least in part."

[Jeff]

"I know little enough about them. Others in my family have made a lifelong study of this plane. The Whelmed seek to snuff out the living who venture here, if they deem them vulnerable enough. Their victims become the Drowned. I do not know for what purpose."

[Joe]

Streko keeps close to Kal and Tangat, seemingly obsessed with the dog's safety, as well as his friend's. "Olladra tasks us. Her domain is all-encompassing," he whispers. "Or is this The Trickster's doing? Are the Dark Six actively involved here?"

[Dave B.]

Shorak makes room for Belarin and Histra to take the lead and follows closely behind them. He remains quiet and alert. Although, this time he plans on running, not engaging, if the Whelmed prove hostile. "Histra, Belarin. If we need to run, inform us with a single word. Either forward or back. This way we will no which way to run." Shorak says this for everyone's benefit.

[Jeff]

Per Condign’s suggestion, then, Belarin and Histra take the lead, Shorak trails them closely, with Kal, Streko, and Tangat moving in the middle. The tiefling and warforged then follow. As you draw near the group of Whelmed, they shift their large, membranous bodies to regard you more closely. White eyes gaze at you from beneath the hoods that you’re fairly certain are part of them. They appear to be shepherding or watching the spirits around them, not taking them captive.

And that’s when Shorak notices—and then the rest of you soon after—that some of the spirits, dwarfed by the Whelmed, look…maybe familiar. Their shapes are hazy, but they appear to be mostly male, and though not garbed in any clothing they still somehow resemble the seaman they once were. A hazy face or two triggers something in you.

“Shorrr-aak!” one of the spirits calls out, and the voice is gruff. You look to see a dwarf-sized figure, as wispy as the rest but clearly dwarf-shaped as well, even a beard is evident. “Shorak, I don’t...what are you...doing...here?” As the spirit speaks, the body seems to take a little more shape. You realize you’re looking at Garrel, the portly and friendly cook from the Merrow Down. You remember him not only for the many meals he'd cooked everyone aboard your voyage across the Thunder Sea, but how he'd been wounded when Major Krez had attacked the ship, and that one time when he'd scolded Streko when Streko had criticized his use of a Karrnathi spice on fish.

Beside Garrel, you see another short if less portly form. It is almost certainly that of Rosh—the grizzled old sailor who joined your quest at the Red Atoll. He looks less distinct, less agitated. Both of them, you can only assume, must be—

"Dead," Histra hisses, actually stopping in her tracks.

Then she points. "Look."

Looking beyond the group, you can see a pair of Whelmed staring out at the closest shipwreck to this spot. There is some activity there. Vapors of mist seem to be springing from around it. Though there are no actual upright ships anywhere to be seen. "The Merrow Down is under attack...on Eberron."

[Darren]

Kal looks in horror at the forms taking shape. He shakes himself, then places a hand on Shorak's shoulder. "Look away," he says quietly. "There's nothing we can do for them from here, and there's nothing we can do right now. Any action we take is only likely to draw attention from the Whelmed. Just keep going," he says to Belarin and Histra, then sadly turns his own eyes away from the scene.

[Brian]

Condign stiffens at Histra's words. The Merrow Down is under attack. All those lives. Some already dead. Garrel...Rosh. The others no doubt fighting for their lives. Spindrift...Captain Morsha. He could almost hear their cries of rage and pain.

His face grim, Condign leans in close to Shorak. "This will not go unpunished," he whispers. "Let us finish our task. There is blood to be spilled in Eberron."

[Ken]

Even transformed as he is - or perhaps because of it - Belarin reacts to the grim realization. "And if Krez is behind this," he growls, "I shall make him long for the sun's incinerating touch. Actually, I will do that regardless. We continue, Histra."

[Joe]

Streko nods. "Continue. Yes. Move quickly."

[Dave B.]

Shorak tenses when he realizes what's happening. His insides churn, but he has never been suicidal. It is just not in his nature. He has seen so much death, lost many he cared for, both family and friend. He will not mourn for Morsha, but if she and more of her crew should fall this day, Shorak will have to add more to his list of those that must be avenged. Oh, how that list seems to just keep on growing.

He nods to his friends in thanks for their words of support. Shorak stutter steps, but keeps moving forward, holding on to the hope that the rest of the crew of the Merrow Down will prevail against their assailants.

[Dave W.]

"This can't be real." Adamant intones. "We keep facing situations that are too specific to us. As though this place is throwing illusions designed to distract specifically us. A father pleading to save his daughter. A dragonmarked in danger. Shorak's apartment promising answers. Now our friends from the ship? It's too precise to be random; it's directed."

"Lady Histra, is that possible?"

"I'm afraid that we are being tested and I'm not sure we are passing. I wish I saw another option than pressing on."

---

Addy's beginning to suspect there is a person he will refer to as the DM, short for Dulurrh Master, in charge of this place.

[Jeff]

After you have left the crowd of Whelmed and fresh spirits behind, Histra regards Adamant she walks. “There is no god of this realm, warforged. Not even the Keeper* is believed to have mastery over all of Dolurrh. You are discriminating and giving yourself a higher regard than the apathy and forgetfulness that this plane imposes upon all. It is that very outlook that makes so many susceptible to the despair. You endanger yourself with such words.”

Adamant does not miss her scolding tone—but it surprises Belarin a little bit, even beneath his veil of undeath, to hear her bother telling him this.

Soon only two more quays—and their respective bulks of shipwrecks and jagged rocks—remain between you and your view of the shaft of light rising up into the sky. Very close now.

In the distance, right where the second quay meets the shoreline perhaps two hundred feet now, you spy another large figure. This one is at least as tall as the Whelmed, but...winged. And broader.

---

*The Keeper, Sovereign of Death and Decay, being one of the Dark Six.

Adamant and Streko especially know about him: He is seen as the hunger in the dark, grabbing hold of anyone straying too far from the light. He alone, old scriptures say, is sometimes able to waylay dead souls on their way through Dolurrh. The son of Onatar and Olladra and the brother of Kol Korran, the Keeper is often portrayed as gaunt or grossly fat human, a lich or ghoul, or sometimes a skeletal dragon.

[Darren]

Kal reaches out to stop Belarin. "I think our 'friend' is up ahead there," he says, pulling his hand from Belarin's arm to gesture at the winged figure. Kal tries and fails to suppress a cough, startled at how loud it sounds in his ears. He quickly surveys the area around them. "Is there any higher ground we can get to, to try to see where that light is coming from without getting any closer?" Kalarian takes a few steps forward, then turns to face his friends. "If not, we should find somewhere to hide and rest. We cannot face another fight with the yugoloth right now, especially if he's waiting for us."

[Brian]

Condign pauses to consider. "I disagree with the idea of rest. Time is now more precious. The attack on the Merrow Down shows that events are in motion, dangerous events. We need to espy the location of the sphinyx and return to our world." He turns to regard Streko. "Back in the labyrinth, you cast some sort of spell that allowed me to move with greater stealth. Could you do that for Shorak, so that he may slip past the yugoloth and discover the source of the light? Perhaps one can do what many cannot, if he is given the proper advantage."

[Joe]

Oct 1, 2015 14:03:17 GMT -4 Brian said:

Condign pauses to consider. "I disagree with the idea of rest. Time is now more precious. The attack on the Merrow Down shows that events are in motion, dangerous events. We need to espy the location of the sphinyx and return to our world." He turns to regard Streko. "Back in the labyrinth, you cast some sort of spell that allowed me to move with greater stealth. Could you do that for Shorak, so that he may slip past the yugoloth and discover the source of the light? Perhaps one can do what many cannot, if he is given the proper advantage."

"Not without the proper rest. Olladra's gifts come with a price, my friend, and are not unlimited in their nature. If they were, we would be in much better shape!"

[Dave B.]

Shorak looks out at the winged figure in the distance. "I'm mixed in my opinion of what to do. Yes, we are injured and without healing, but then, so is the nycaloth and we do outnumber him. Of course, the figure up ahead could be something else entirely and an even larger threat." He looks at Belarin and Histra. "If you wish me to scout ahead, I can certainly try to do so without being seen. I am in rough shape, so if I'm spotted, I would have to retreat as quickly as I can." He looks around at the rest of the group. "Any opinions or other suggestions?"

[Brian]

"All you need to do is see from where the light is coming," Condign tells Shorak. "Hopefully that could be done from a relatively safe distance. I am in favor of your attempting this. But I agree, should you encounter danger, retreat immediately." He looks to the others for more advice.

[Jeff]

"We can see him," Histra offers, "or it, if that is not him. Therefore he may already see us—a yugoloth's vision is superior to ours—or may be there precisely because he's followed us. Why he is standing there and not waiting in ambush I do not know. I have few spell resources remaining; I can use a spell of invisibility on you, Shorak. If you wish to risk it. Some fiends can see through such illusions. I do not know for certain."

[Darren]

"Outnumber him?" Kal asks. "This is not our realm. It's his. He has fought alongside allies before. This is likely a trap."

Kal pauses to consider the situation. "I think the rest of us should seek shelter. Shorak, if you can find a vantage point to spy where that light is located, WITHOUT getting near the fiend, then do so. At the first hint of danger, you return to us." Kal nods at Histra. "Whatever aid you can offer Shorak is appreciated, but you," he puts a finger under Shorak's nose, "don't depend on that. You stay safe and you come back alive. Understand?"

[Ken]

Belarin glared at Kal for the affront of touching him. "No, Kalarian, this is NOT his realm. He has no inherent advantage within Dolurrh, and certainly no allies." He stares balefully at the winged figure. "...if that even IS the idiot. Histra, grant Shorak the invisibility. The sooner we can determine the sphinx's location, the better."

[Jeff]

Histra nods. She faces Shorak, preparing the mystic incantation. If he will consent, she casts the spell upon him.

---

The invisibility will last for an hour, while Histra maintains concentration. Shorak and all his gear will invisible as long as it's on his person. The spell ends if he makes any attacks. And of course being invisible means hiding and being stealthy is easier, though sound can still be a giveaway.

[Dave W.]

going back a few posts... sorry

Oct 1, 2015 10:09:29 GMT -4 Jeff said:

After you have left the crowd of Whelmed and fresh spirits behind, Histra regards Adamant she walks. “There is no god of this realm, warforged. Not even the Keeper* is believed to have mastery over all of Dolurrh. You are discriminating and giving yourself a higher regard than the apathy and forgetfulness that this plane imposes upon all. It is that very outlook that makes so many susceptible to the despair. You endanger yourself with such words.”

Adamant nods and sinks into his non-confrontational posture at Histra's rebuke but says nothing.

---

And now we're current...
Once again forcing his hands to unclench at Lich-Belarin's glare at Kal, Adamant puts his thoughts out to the grey world, "For what it's worth, I would rather fight now than rest in this place. I have little confidence we can find a place to rest other than returning to Histra's family's keep. I don't see a better option unless we abandon the hope of the Light."

"We may not survive a fight but I am less certain we'd survive a rest."

[Dave B.]

Shorak nods to Histra. "Go ahead. Cast the spell. I will seek out the source of the light and return to you as quickly as possible" As soon as Histra casts the spell, Shorak will continue moving towards the light, keeping as much distance between him and the apparent Nycaloth as possible, and moving as quietly as he can.

Stealth roll (1d20+10=21)

[Darren]

Kal nods and claps Shorak on the shoulder. "Olladra's blessings go with you," he says with a smile at Streko. "We will seek a place to defend and wait for you. Be swift and find us there." With a fit of coughing, Kal begins to scan the area for the most defensible position.

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Is there a check that could apply here?