Chapter 2: Rites of Passage

[Darren]

Kalarian smirks at Mattheu. "And you are adorable," he retorts. "Perhaps you could do something about that lock there?" Calling down to his companions, Kalarian informs them of the arrival of the psudeodragon and the presence of their other companions nearby. "The grate is locked," he adds, "but if the others are nearby, and if the little dragon can't get this one open, maybe he can bring Grafth and Amal here or perhaps we can continue on and try to find the one they're standing above." He turns his questioning gaze upon Mattheu, waiting for a response.

[Jeff]

On the Streets

Amal nods. "Well said. Lord Kalarian mentioned the Emerald Claw, but not what they're up to, what they're doing here, or what he expects them to do. I think I'm on a need-to-know basis." He looks down. "It does stink, doesn't it? I hadn't honestly considered entering the sewers when I woke up this morning."

What is your name, friend of Kalarian?" he asks. "Can I ask what brought you to Passage? Did you accompany Kalarian here on house business?"


Beneath the Streets

Matheu hisses at Kal's words, then flits away for several long minutes as Kal calls down to his companions. Goran can't help but not like the idea of searching for another exit; the maze of corridors was difficult enough, finding this one took some effort.

Matheu reappears and snakes his head through the grate again. I am a dragon of Argonnessen, human, and the mark you bear is but a thumbprint of the majesty of my kind. You would do well to remember that when you speak to me. The pseudodragon disappears again...presumably to fetch Grafth?

[Darren]

Kalarian laughs softly at the psudeodragon's rant.

[Jeremy]

Goran grumbles a bit.

"I don't think we should move from this spot, and I don't believe anyone is in the mood for more of these sewers. Matheu will find the others and bring them to us, better just get out this way."

Goran looks back up at Kal.

"What sort of lock does it look like? A few good bangs from a sword do any good?" Goran imagines he could use his pommel to smash the lock, or the blade to pry open a hasp or whatever it is.

---

How about a Knowledge Dungeoneering check here...re: what sort of lock it is and/or what method would be best in defeating it? Lockpick?

[Lara]

Pel pushes forward through the group to stand below the grating.

"Before you hurt yourself trying to bash it in, let me at it," she says.

_____________________
Search=16
Open Lock=27

[Darren]

Kalarian will, of course, move out of the way of his more experienced companion.

[Jeff]

Beneath the Streets

Pel scales the metal rungs, producing her lockpicking tools when she reaches the grate. A quick assessment of the lock reveals a very basic design which she feels confident she can bypass. However, it's quickly apparent that she won't be able to; not for its complexity, but for its heavy design. Her tools aren't large enough to manipulate the tumbler, and she thinks magic or a different type of tool may be necessary to unlock it.

The more she examines it, the more unusual it seems for a sewer lock. Also, the grate seems relatively new. She feels fairly certain there must be a special key for this type of lock.

Goran would need to get in close in order to assess the lock himself, but his knowledge of subterranean environments are more learned and less experienced. He's not sure he'd know about a sophisticated, possibly magical, lock.

Yet, even as he ponders it, his senses detect something near. The suspicion is confirmed moments later by a faint, and decidedly unpleasant, smell. Something unnatural, not quite as foreign as the lemures, but certainly as foul. He doesn't like it.

Tangat seems to catch wind as well, and emits a low whine.

_________________________

Ordinarily, unless you're under duress and don't have much time, you can "take 20" on an Open Lock check, which would give you the maximum results. In this case, it didn't really matter and Pel rolled well as is.

[Darren]

"Excellent," Kalarian murmurs, "trouble again." He turns to the captured Emerald Claw soldier. "Are you aware of any inhabitants down here?"

[Josh]

On The Streets

What is your name, friend of Kalarian?" Amal asks. "Can I ask what brought you to Passage? Did you accompany Kalarian here on house business?

"My name is Grafth. I did travel here with Kalarian, though the business was primarily my own. However, our endeavors are linked in some way. While our tactics are certainly not the same, our goal is."

The shifter looks around impatiently for the watchman to return. "And you, Amal? How have you come to be involved in this mess?"

[Jeff]

On The Streets

"I am a member of House Deneith's Blademarks," Amal answers. "I am involved in something only when my orders are to get involved. I—and my comrade, Enan—were ordered last night to serve Lord Kalarian for an indeterminate amount of time, should he arrive in Passage. And he has, so here I am. I'm not sure I should say any more than that. You understand."

A flurry of movement catches Grafth's eye. He turns to see Matheu gliding down toward him. Amal starts, drawing out his sword and standing ready. He seems quite surprised to see a pseudodragon; indeed, dragons of any kind are uncommon on Khorvaire.

The dragonmarked coxcomb you've been traveling with has found his way to another of these sewer entrances. Taymra, the changeling, half-elf, and halfling are with him, along with some more humans—some of them injured. And the coxcomb has a bloody hand wound.

Amal looks to Grafth with a puzzled expression; presumably, Matheu did not impart his words to the Blademark.

Matheu lights upon the lamppost, never seeming to land on the ground.

[Lara]

Pel grabs the grate and shakes it in frustration before climbing back down to join the others.

[Josh]

"Hold, Amal- he is a friend," says the shifter as Matheu arrives.

Listening, he can't help but agree. "Yes, quite the dandy." He looks back to the Blademark, "Matheu here has found Kalarian and the others at another sewer entrance. I'm going to find them, and will meet you back here in a moment. If the watchman returns, wait for me before entering the sewer- I fear there is something dangerous down there."

Turning back to Matheu, he says, "I'm sure you weren't expecting a day of such menial activity... my apologies. Let's hurry to find them, and warn them."

Grafth follows the pseudodragon to the others.

[Jeff]

On the Streets

Amal nods to Grafth, maintaining his guard by the lamppost and grate. Matheu launches into the air, leading Grafth down another street. He's pretty sure he's about three blocks south of the brewery right now (where the skycoach is supposed to be waiting for him).

I'm sure you weren't expecting a day of such menial activity... my apologies.

Yes, Matheu says. Evidently today is a day for ignoring respect for Eberron's eldest race.

Two more blocks and a narrow alley later, Grafth spots another sewer grate. This one is situated in the center of a small courtyard formed by the backs of several residential buildings, lower than the streets around it and requiring no magical water channel system. However, it is clearly locked in the same manner.

Grafth can just make out the sound of voices below the grate.


Beneath the Streets

"No," the Emerald Claw soldier answers bitterly.

Velhan shoves the man against a wall, lowers the body he's been carrying, and draws his sword. "Toler, stay behind me."

Taymra sighs and draws her rapier. "There have always been rumors about creatures in the sewers. And they have resurfaced lately. But there've been no reported incidents, outside of the occasional kaves."

Beyond the unpleasant smell that has unsettled Tangat and Goran's tension, there is no further evidence of any creature.

[Josh]

Running to the grate, Grafth bends to one knee and removes his handaxe from its place on his belt. Using the base of the axe, he strikes the grate several times.

Peering down into the darkness, he yells, "Anyone down there?"

[Jeff]

Beneath the Streets

A loud knocking on metal bars precedes Grafth's voice echoing down from above.

[Darren]

Gesturing, Kalarian says, "See? A voice from above." As he climbs the ladder, Kalarian calls up, "Yes, friend Grafth, we are down here. I'm glad to see the little dragon is good at fetch." Reading the top of the ladder, Kalarian is now able to lower his voice and not shout. "So...did I miss anything while I was gone?" he asks with a mischevious smile.

[Josh]

Grafth's moderate relief is at equilibrium with his annoyance. "Miss anything? No, it looks as if you've been up to plenty. Remind me never to invite you to dinner at my home.

"Look, these sewer grates are all locked up. And something bad might be headed your way, and soon. I caught its scent a few moments ago, but can't tell you more.

"Amal is stationed at another of these openings, waiting for someone to bring a key. Until we get that, you're on your own."

The last words bring a dark thought to his mind. "The others, are they all with you?"

[Joe]

Streko begins feeling nervous and edgy. "Bring up that sunrod. Make sure we have time to see what's approaching so that we might run from it...or destroy it, as the case may be. Olladra knows, with our like, we'll no doubt have to fight the Khyber-be damned thing!

"Friend Grafth! Open that grate quickly, would you please? I'm afraid I'm getting a little clautrophobic down here...and you know how dangerous the world can be when Lord Kalarian and those with him are in an enclosed space."

He smiles at Kal and speaks softly to him. "Or an open space from what I've heard. Have you ever considered worshipping Olladra, my friend? I know people...you would be most welcomed."

[Darren]

"Understood, Grafth. We will be patient. While I'm waiting to either be let out or attacked, why don't you fill me in on why you're here and not still at Phorem's tower waiting for me to come back? Not that I don't appreciate the assistance, of course....."

[Jeremy]

Goran climbs back down, to let his senses deal with the situation, and let the others deal with the grate. He removes his bow and nocks an arrow, shutting down his senses except those necessary to detect any 'unpleasant company', so to speak.

"Get that grate open soon, or we've got another visitor to deal with." he mutters back towards the other.

[Lara]

Moving as carefully as possible to avoid a misstep in the slimy muck, Pel reconnoiters along the edge of the light emitted by the sunrod. If there is anything headed towards the group, she prefers not to be caught by it unaware.

______________
Eyes sharp but ears apparently full of cottage cheese....
Spot=26
Listen=7

[Jeff]

Above the grate, Grafth waits. Matheu flits away.

Down below, everyone else scan the darkness and listen...

You hear nothing but the drip of water and the slight rustling of your own gear, distant voices in the world above the grate. You squint into the gloom, looking past the light of the sunrod, trying to make out anything else....

Only Pel—and evidently Taymra, who shoots a nervous, knowing glance to the changeling—see anything at all. A figure standing, details swallowed by the darkness, down a tunnel (not the one you entered this junction from). Tall, wide. The size of a very, very large human or perhaps a half-orc. Cloaked or in rags. But something snakes around its form—a tail, perhaps, or a tentacle...

The figure doesn't move at all, save for the slow lashing of that appendage. It might as well be a statue that's been there all along.

Pel senses a malevolence of some kind, but it is...calm at the moment. Goran feels it, too, though he doesn't hear it; and Tangat's tail droops down, nervously.

Velhan's voice breaks the tense silence. "This...Grafth?...is your friend?" he asks Kalarian. His eyes are fixed in the darkness, where Pel's eyes stare. His sword is held out, ready.

The Emerald Claw soldier rises, his back still to the wall. He looks to the metal rungs, and to another of the tunnels.

Above the grate, Grafth sees Matheu's shape reappear. He is holding the key that watchman wore around his neck. He drops it to Grafth, where he just barely catches it before it falls through the grate. You will need to explain to the sentry why I took the key. He would not value my reason, or the need for expedience, should the aberration choose to attack. Perhaps he will listen instead to another humanoid.

______________________

Spot checks: Pel (26), Streko (9), Tangat (9), Kal (8), Goran (7).

[Lara]

Without shifting her attention from the thing waiting in the darkness, Pel speaks quietly to the group. "Something's over there -- " she makes a slight gesture with one hand to indicate the direction "-- and I really think we need to move away from it as quickly as possible. How close are we to getting out? I suggest Streko goes up first."

[Joe]

"What is it? Do you see anything? What's there?"

Streko is very nervous, unsure of what to do or where to go.

"Would someone please tell me what's happening?"

His voice is barely above a whisper, but it is loud enough for those nearby to hear it...and the edge it has...a very sharp edge, with panic on one side of the abyss and a need for action on the other.

"I sense...evil...malevolence...nothing specific..."

Olladra's holy symbol throbs against his chest as Streko prays to his beloved goddess.

[Darren]

Holding onto the ladder rungs with one hand, Kalarian looks down at Velhan. "Yes, Marshal, Grafth is a friend of mine. And it appears Matheu has returned with the key. So, Grafth, if you would be so kind as to open this thing, I have some more unfinished business to attend to. Toler, why don't you climb on up here?" says Kalarian, ensuring that there is enough room on the ladder for the boy to climb past him, his voice remaining calm so that the boy does not suffer from the panic that his companions are apparently feeling.

[Jeremy]

Goran will attempt no speech with the...thing...perhaps if it came closer, but no yet.

So he says nothing, just standing prepared for action.

[Josh]

"Why am I here? It should be obvious- to keep all of your hides unskinned."

Grafth uses the key to unlock the grate. If anyone requires assistance, he will give them a hand up.

[Jeff]

The moment Grafth pushes the strange key in the lock, he feels a tingle in his hand. The lock twists easily, and he hears an audible pop! as the grate unseals. The grate itself swings open easily.

Below, Pel and Taymra observe that the hulking, statue-like figure has advanced slightly, somehow; yet they see no sign of movement, no steps taken, no shift of form at all. Now everyone else can glimpse the unnaturally still form...and that slowly undulated appendage, which is beginning to look, in the gloom, more as if it's coming from his front, not has back.

Toler complies at Kal's request, grabbing the rungs with a nervous spasm and climbing hastily up. Both Taymra and Velhan don't budge; it's clear they're going to wait until everyone else has gone up first.

"Go!" Velhan growls to everyone else, point his sword at the advancing creature.

[Darren]

"Agreed," says Kalarian. "Master Streko, you're next." Kalarian hands his sharash up to Grafth, freeing up his hand to help anyone up the ladder as they climb past him.

[Joe]

Sterko quickly slides up the rungs of the ladder and into the fresh air.

Up top, he returns the sickle back to his haversack and gives a hand out to the next person coming up the ladder.