Move 395: Back Across the LedgesBack across the Ledges
Tunnels--Late, Day 39 (Marpenoth 22)
Arachne opened a doorway to release the party from the cramped smelly cave. They picked their way over the remainder of the slippery smooth rock and soon came to the series of ledges they had crossed to get into this area. By the time they had walked through several miles of narrow path bordered by chasms, everyone was ready to rest again on the other side. They were able to find one of their old camping spots not far from the intersection of the tunnels.
Arachne found that her position in the marching order was ... challenging. Echo was somewhere behind her and invisible as well as quiet. So Arachne didn't know whether Echo was close behind and likely to step on her or safely farther back. Moreover, since the gnome was also invisible, she couldn't be sure that Echo knew where she was. Fearing accidental collision, she became deliberately noisy. She let herself pant loudly when she'd been running after the others in the safe passages and she risked singing to herself crossing the chasms. She also took up clinging to Azrun's sleeve where the tunnel permitted side-by-side walking.
After they made camp, Echo pulled out her spell book and the scroll. She sat hunched over them for a long time.
After the party settled in, Aloysius spoke to Renn.
"Rennirolas, I inadvertently dispelled the enchantment on my light stone," he said, holding up a small rock. "Could you restore it for me?"
Renn took the rock and bounced it in his palm. "That I certainly can, once I've had the opportunity to petition Corellon for new prayers," the elf smiled.
"I'll enchant another once we've rested," Renn said, and opened a small pouch on his belt. He took out a stone similar in size to the one Aloysius had offered him. "But this one has the light enchantment on it, so it's yours now Aloysius," Renn finished as he held the pebble out to Aloysius.
"That reminds me," Jana commented, "we need to darken up those light stones. They put out too damned much light, then ones we mere humans gotta use, anyways."
Once Aloysius was done with Renn, Azrun walked over the mage for a moment, "Aloysius, may I borrow the gem with Dispel Magic and Lightning Bolt upon it. I would like to get those 2 and maybe the Stinking Cloud spell copied into my spell book." When he had aquired the gem, he retired to a corner. He set out his book in front of him, cast a spell and began to copy a spell into his book.
Kanon looked up as Jana spoke and nodded, "I've been thinking. If it will be helpful the light that I am able to bring thrice daily is vastly less bright than the continual light stone. Mayhaps we can use it if you wish." The priest reached into his pack and withdrew a scroll tube. After rifling through some papers he searched for a moment and sighed, "If someone would not mind I seem to have foolishly forgotten quill and ink in my supplies and need some for some important writing." He looked down and scratched his temple as he continued to speak, "I have an interesting weapon against underdark creatures. The ability offered by Lathander to cause an intense burst of sunlight. Anything caught in the radius will be blinded if it uses infravision. The magic can be placed on a stone or other item and if it is placed among the creatures a word called out during our charge will cause it to discharge. The confusion just may offer us a distinct edge."
"What about the ones of us who use infravision?" Echo asked. "How far away would we have to be to avoid being blinded?"
Posed the question of the effect on the others Kanon closed his eyes and seemed to fall in on himself in thought, "I'm sorry it may not be as useful. It just creates a 5 foot sphere and anything touching the sphere within the five feet could be blinded. The spell has a spell use against vampires but I doubt... and hope that there is not for some reason a quaggoth vampire. My dreams are plagued by the possibilty of a vampire in this place with no sunlight to free it's soul."
"That sounds like it would be mighty handy down here. Of course certain members of our group would have to be warned or risk being blinded as well." Blacky said "Boy, he fixes axes AND creates burstes of sunlight, I'm liking this god of yours more and more."
Kanon smiled and nodded, "Despite the range I may well still use it as a thrown weapon in the coming combat along with my light spells as weapons against the eyes it should make for a rather fitting weapon." Kanon raised an eyebrow and looked in Blacky's direction, "Perhaps I could tell you more about the faith of Lathander if his will have us return from this branch of the tunnel in safety."
Kanon coughed and looked down as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Also if there is going to be a scout into the territory of these creatures then I have a spell that can tell me instantly if that person is in danger and the context of the danger." He retrieved a fresh rose petal from his pouch and looked at it with a sigh, "What do you usually do when entering the lands of hostile creatures? Do you send scouts or use spells to understand the battlefield?"
"We basically. . . advance," replied Aloysius. "These environs make scouting too perilous, and we never seem to realize that we have reached a 'battlefield' until our opponents advise us of such by attacking. Howe'er," he added, glancing around at the others, "Echo's comments about sending Rennirolas a bit ahead of us, using invisibility and his danger-detecting magics, would seem a most excellent suggestion. Perhaps in conjunction with Kanon's ability to monitor Rennirolas, the plan would be even better. Stargazer favors it."
"You and Renn should talk about that spell," Echo suggested. "He uses a danger sensing spell. It might be the same one. The idea of sending him ahead is he's far enough in front to give us warning so we don't get surprised and close enough that we can get to him if he gets in trouble. It worked okay in those weird caves. That's the first time we tried it."
"I like the idea of using spells to find out as much as we can," she added, "but I think we're limited in what we can do. I know a scrying spell, but I can only use it if I've seen a place. Do you have any divinations that might be more useful?"
"Aye, I've heard of such a spell," Rennirolas nodded. "And I think it would be a good one to have. We could get separated, one never knows what is going to happen down here."
"Lotsa things down here have ways of detecting scouts," Jana chimed in. "We've sent in quiet, invisible scouts and they've been seen. 'Course," she went on, "it only makes sense since it's dark down here. I mean, after all, what good's it to be invisible in the land of the blind? 'Bout all I figure it does it make 'em less of a target when we're all togther, which is fine by me. Any extra protection on Renn would be good, though."
Dalgaer said diffidently, "It might not always happen."
"What might not always happen?" Echo asked with a confused look.
The priest nodded and yawned slightly, "Excuse me. I understand what you mean. Certain creatures given an environment of intense darkness would probably choose to detect through vibrations or scent." The priest looked around and shrugged, "I imagine Renn knows the spell im talking about." He held out the rose petal for the elven priest to take, "I just need.. a kiss on the rose petal from the recipient of the spell and then i'll have the component."
Renn chuckled and took the petal. "There could be worse things to kiss than a rose petal," he grinned and pressed his lips to the the flower and returned it to Kanon.
Echo waited for Kanon to finish with Renn then cast invisibility on him. When she was done, she cast the spell on herself.
Kanon looked down at the paper he was studying compiling his thoughts it would seem, "Alright here is what I have planned in the way of spells tomorrow. I figured that if you knew what I had it would raise combat effectiveness. I have a spell of free action to counteract any possibility that I may fall in water. I have the standard bless of lathander which I may use but other spells are more effective. I have a basic healing spell and then a spell commonly used by druids that causes vegetation to rise up and slow down the passage of many creatures and of course the sacred guardian spell of which I already spoke." He rolled his shoulders and squinted his eyes as he continued to speak, "In the next echelon of spells there is the spell of Rosetouch which can be used to mend items or vicious battle wounds. It seems to come in handy at the strangest times. A spell of dust devil to bring forth another target for the creatures and to do a small amount of damage. A miracle of obscurement that may aid in escaping if we are overwhelmed. Next is the nap prayer which I keep memorized for emergencies and another miracle of healing. Slightly more powerful I have the cure blindness and deafness and prayer miracles. Prayer brings about the aid of Lathander on those among us and brings detriment to his enemies. Finally, I have the most powerful healing spell allowed me." He nodded and looked up, "Of course I can call the light miracle thrice daily, the sunrise miracle once, the miracle of faerie fire once, and the boon of lathander which I plan to use on Blacky in the coming battle once per day as well."
"Boon?" Blacky looked questioningly at Kannon.
Kanon nodded, "Yes it not only offers the benefit of the bless miracle but also allows the effected individual increased skill with his weapon or should I say speed. It's hard to explain."
Tunnels--Early, Day 40 (Marpenoth 23)
After a typically uncomfortable night's rest, everyone woke up and began preparing to head down the left branch of the T-intersection.
"Can you do Arachne's invisibility spell again and still have enough webs?" Echo asked Azrun. "That way, I can do me and Renn."
"I _think_," Arachne said, "after yesterday's march, I'm not sure whether being invisible now is working for me. Unless Azrun doesn't mind me holding onto him while we walk. The problem is that Echo and I can't see to avoid each other -- and Echo's busy watching for anyone creeping up behind us."
Azrun looked down to Arachne, "I don't mind, Arachne. I have the spell set for you if you want it. I'll let you decide if you want it."
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