Move 425: Back Towards the QuaggothsTunnels--Still Insanely Early, Day 42 (Marpenoth 25)
Kanon cast a spell on everyone except himself and Jana. It seemed to help Blacky and Renn, at least in alleviating their obvious tiredness. Jana, of course, still looked as though she had not gotten enough sleep. Everyone made their final preparations and set out toward the caverns they had found the quaggoths in previously.
After studying his book, Aloysius cast a short spell and studied the two-handed sword, the buckle, and the bracers taken from the quaggoth.
"Eric? Isn't this sword similar to yours?" he asked, holding up the weapon with no minor effort. "It bears enchantment of moderate strength."
Blacky pulled the two handed sword from its scabbard and laid it next to the one Aloysius had mentioned, judging their relative sizes. "Which one has the more powerful enchantment?" He asked the mage.
Aloysius glanced at Eric's sword so he could recall what he knew of it. "I'd say they are very similar in strength," he said finally. "And I didn't detect any unusual auras on this new blade."
"I'll keep this one then, I am already used to its feel. Weapons are like individuals, each one has its own character, even if they would appear to be the same on the surface. Only training with them brings these things to light, much like spending lots of time with another person. Some weapons become like old friends." Blacky commented to Aloysius as he sheathed the large blade. "Ready when you are." He said to the rest of the group.
After briefly looking over the buckle, Aloysius set it aside and spent much more time analyzing the bracers. "Ah, the bracers bear abjuration magics," he said with interest. "The buckle none at all. It would be best if we waited to analyze the bracers in more detail afore anyone wore them, methinks."
He glanced around for comments as he put the buckle into his pack. "Stargazer can carry this buckle," he said. "'Tis one of the few things we've found that he CAN carry!" He laughed at his own attempt at humor.
Arachne came over to Dalgaer and, standing in front of him, said quietly, "I'm going to go over in a moment and ask Azrun about helping me go unseen for the rest of the day. So..." She reached up and did the best she could at putting her arms around the taller gnome's neck. "... I was wondering if you'd like to take the opportunity while you could still see where my mouth is...?"
Dalgaer blushed so red his nose looked like a pepper... but he gave Arachne a gentle but passionate kiss.
Echo made it a point to look elsewhere when the gnomes kissed, trying to give them a little privacy. "I, uhm, have invisibility spells too. One for Renn and one for me. Unless we want to do it different this time." She looked at Renn then at Jana, eyebrows raised in question.
Jana, also looking away from the gnomes, covered a huge yawn. "Huh? Oh, yeah, that's fine," Jana replied then yawned again. She shook her head, drank a little water then fiddled with her padding and armor, looking as if she were having trouble getting it in a (relatively) comfortable position.
Kanon was busy digging something out of a small pouch and finally retrieved several small rose petals, "Echo while you are still visible could you kiss one of these rose petals so I might bestow the prayer of the sacred guardian on you? I'd rather cast it now for it lasts all day." He held out the rose petals and waited for her to take them, "Also Arachne...," he paused as she and Dalgaer embraced and then continued speaking, "I appreciate the offer of your gift as an alternative to healing but this is more my own atonement than something handed by Lathander." The priest looked at the floor of the cavern somberly drawing his mace and shield, "Also I think I will check out any waterholes that we find. I have this necklace and it could be of great use. I also..." He stopped and clicked his tongue and sighed, "Perhaps if we are in the tunnels another day for some reason. I have a prayer that allows normal movement underwater for a short time but it will have to wait."
Echo nodded and plucked one of the tiny petals from Kanon's hand. She put it to her lips quickly before handing it back to him.
"Huh?" The little gnome's mind had been on other matters. "What? Alternative healing? Oh, um -- WHAT?!" Arachne put her hands on her hips. "This forswearing of the skilled aid of more than half of this party, this serious increase in your risk of getting yourself killed today -- this is your own idea? It's your own personal gimmick -- or scheme or what, atonement? For... for -- because you haven't been a perfect priest in some way? I object! Speaking as someone who expects to be able to depend on you to keep me from getting killed down here by Quaggoths or whatevers, I object to your impairing your usefulness to the rest of us because you deem yourself guilty of something. If you feel that you haven't been a perfect party member, then for Peace's sake, say so! We'll tell you that we love you anyway -- or whatever we feel about being allied to you -- and we can go on without risking your neck any more than normal. And if it's your priestliness that you doubt or regret in some way -- or something! Could you please work it out _with_ Lathander and not enlist the rest of us into a conspiracy of mortification on just your own initiative?"
...And then Arachne went and found the bard. "Azrun, do you have an invisibility spell you might spare me?" she asked.
After Arachne left Dalgaer seemed at a loss for words, just kinda standing there with a stupid grin on his face.
Azrun smiled and nodded, "Yes, maam. I have it and it's yours when you are ready." When she was ready, he began a familiar spell.
Once he was done with Arachne's spell he pulled a leather strap from a pouch and began to cast a spell on himself.
"Thank you, Azrun," the little gnome's voice said when he was done. The bard fetched out a piece of leather and then Arachne's voice asked softly, "I talk too much, don't I? I bored Jana and I think I ticked off Kanon."
Azrun shook his head and smiled, "No, Arachne. You don't talk too much. The baby is probably a touchy subject right now for her. She doesn't show it but she is scared about what's going to happen. As far as Kanon goes, well he's new to the group. It may just take a bit to figure him out. I think the two of you are just having a philosophical disagreement. Happens a lot with people of different faiths. It'll be ok."
"Philosophical?!" the invisible gnome's voice squeaked. "It's just a difference of philosophy? He's _choosing_ to cripple himself for the day. There may be a philosophical difference also, but it definitely has a practical impact. I mean, do you think we'd all just say 'OK, sure,' if Dalgaer announced that he preferred to fight naked or --" The voice shut down suddenly. Then, after a pause, resumed very softly: "Without any armor, I mean. Or if -- um, Blacky were to suggest that he really preferred to run ahead of everyone down the tunnel screaming battle cries and daring the enemies to come out and fight?"
"All differences have practical impact," said Aloysius, oblivious to his own blatant interruption. "'Tis simply another way of noting that choices have consequences. Some choices are made on a purely rational, objective basis depending on the goal sought to be achieved. Others are made within a framework of devotions, many of which are religiously inspired, that place the practice of those devotions above practical consequences as the devotions themselves are deemed to carry a higher priority."
He nodded in Kanon's direction. "He serves his god and does so in a way that he believes is proper. But it is that same diligence to his devotion that gives the rest of us assurance that he won't smite our skulls whilst we sleep. Stargazer, for one, will accept that, along with any perceived irrationalities, as a fair trade."
"I don't serve any god," Jana said around another yawn. "What makes ya think I won't knock your heads off while you're sleepin'?"
" 'Cause you're too sweet and gentle." Blacky tried to say with a straight face.
Jana raised her eyebrows. "Why, Blacky, are trying to turn my head?" She tried to stifle a snicker then degnerated into a giggle-fit.
"Turn your...Oh." Blacky said and broke down into a fit of laughter himself.
Echo chuckled quietly at Jana and Blacky. That was the only sound that came from her during the conversation about Kanon's penance.
"The fact that we depend on each other to get through this mission alive and successful," Arachne said, after waiting out Blacky's alternative suggestion. "We depend on each other to help us survive. But that also means that our survival also depends on everyone else doing what they can to optimize their --" She made a face. "-- to make their own chances of surviving as high as possible. And _that_ gives us the right to complain if someone else is doing something that's likely to get him or herself killed. It's why we're all entitled to resent What's-His-Name -- the one who decided to go for a walk by himself and got eaten by a big lizard. It's also what entitles Jana to b-- to lecture us about fighting smart instead of gloriously. And it's why I'm entitled to disapprove of Kanon's penance -- or whatever it is. I guess nobody besides me sees a problem, though. So, I've sounded off my dismay. Nothing need come of it. That's all." She went over to talk to Azrun.
Jana's amusement vanished. "Daelen," she supplied. "We ain't here for glory. We're here to try to rescue the people that're being captive or at the very least, get the sumbitches what killed 'em. And try to keep ourselves alive in the process. I don't know 'bout y'all, but I got a whole 'nother stupid way to die waitin' for me." She exhaled forcefully. "I ain't never been much for the gods. Try to appease 'em all and offend none of 'em, that's what my mama always told me, so this whole penance thing, that don't make no sense to me. 'Course, it's also true none of them gods are usin' me as a conduit for their power. Anyways, yeah, I'm gonna keep lecturing, bitching, about fighting smart, planning smart. And if I gotta, praying smart. Now, I don't care what anyone's gotta do to cast their spells or make their gods happy, but ya gotta figure out a way to do those things so's it doesn't weaken us as a group. An' I know I'm a fine one to talk about that since I refused the anti-tiredness spell and all, but we all gotta function as a team if we have, excuse the term, a prayer of surviving."
Aloysius pondered everyone's comments. "Aye, but if we enslave ourselves to pure practicality and self-interest, we lose a part of our own selves. Don't we?"
The small gnome still hadn't gotten to her business with Azrun. Jana's remarks had slowed her, though she'd only nodded at them. Aloysius stopped her entirely. She clenched her fists, then relaxed them and said, "Sure. What of it? Your remarks are equally applicable or inapplicable to Jana or me or Kanon -- or any of us. None of us could be here out of self-interest and all of us have a self-interest in everyone else's survival. And isn't personally inspired penance a matter of self-interest? What's your point?"
"It is, indeed," said Aloysius. "But so is survival. In fact, for many, survival is the foremost self-interest. I meant simply that, for Kanon, his devotions take precedence over pure self-interest. Perhaps it is true that his devotionally-inspired decisions are not the most strategically sound for either himself or the group, but that does not mean that they have no value. Having learned of his lord from Galaret, I know that he can be trusted, for Lathander would not permit one of a blackened heart to serve him."
He glanced around at the visible party members. "As for the rest of thee, I know that my trust is well-earned not simply because I think you need me to stay alive. It is also due to the fact that we have traveled, fought, and faced death together. We have taken risks for one another. Those actions, methinks, were spawned by more than a simple desire by each of us to continue living. Prior to my travels with this group, I understood not the true meaning of 'friendship', and verily felt myself unworthy of such a thing. Now, I have a better appreciation for what it means to have friends. In sooth, mine own survival is made more likely by the continued survival of the rest of you. But, e'en if that were not so, I'd risk my life for any of you if need be. Not out of practicality, but out of a sense of caring and a wish for your continued existence for its own sake." He stopped for a breath.
"And methinks that many might choose to be here simply out of self-interest. When we were last on the surface, many gathered in hopes of reaping the treasures of the Underdark. We may, if we live, become wealthy from this endeavor, but such a result would be incidental and not the primary purpose as to why we came. We may not be here for identical reasons, but methinks it likely that each of us is here, to some extent, for reasons that extend past ourselves. I am here because the rest of you are here. Initially, I engaged in this journey because I had nowhere else to go and no one to accompany me. Once I learned of Ranchefus's doings, I became determined to oppose him because his plan violates the principles of freedom and open exchange of information that I hold dear. After all, what is the point of having principles if one is not willing to defend them? You may as well be a Sophist bent on espousing whatever doctrine conveniently fits your instant predicament."
He looked around, a bit embarrassed at the length of his speech. "Hopefully the weight of my words will not serve to lure the Underdark entire to us. More likely, any overhearing have gone into a long hibernation or have become dreadfully confused."
Jana looked from Aloysius to Arachne and back a few times during their debate. With a pained expression, she started rubbing her temples. "This is really my own fault," she muttered to herself.
With folded arms and a thoughtful stare at the floor, Arachne heard out the wizard. When he stopped, she said, "Nope. Nothing I disagree with. You mean well, Aloysius. I'm sure of that. And I'm sure of the same about Kanon. I never meant to question the good intentions of anyone here. You don't take my point, but, if as intelligent a person as you chooses not to grant it significance, then it must indeed be too nice to have any practical import. Thank you for your amplification." She turned again to find the bard.
Dalgaer listened to the conversation but something about his face indicated he wasn't quite following it. "Priests often do things the rest of us don't understand." he mumbled.
Aloysius looked at Arachne, one eyebrow cocked in confusion. "I didn't mean to imply that you had," he said softly. He shrugged his narrow shoulders.
"Oration, let alone brevity, seems not to be a strong suit for me."
"I don't think anyone is belittling your right to speak as you see fit Arachne," Renn said from nearby. "All I can add is that, as a priest, Kanon knows best how to remain in his god's good graces. If he feels that this penance is suitable atonement for his use of the napping spell, then I think we should all just do our best to make sure he makes it through this day."
"Except that he won't let us," Arachne said softly. "The particular form of penance which _he_ selected won't let us do our best for him. That's what I was complaining about."
"But if his penance put him not at some disadvantage or discomfort, it wouldn't be penance, would it?" snapped Aloysius. He sighed and looked at his feet.
"I don't know," Arachne responded. "Would it?"
"My apologies, Arachne. I meant not to seem harsh. It just seems that if, for some reason, one of our number finds themselves limited for a time, the rest of us should endeavor to make up for that to the degree possible until the limitation no longer exists. If his penance puts him in better favor with his lord, then the rest of us shall certainly benefit."
"I had _thought_," Arachne said, "and this is only what _I_ learned at University and not something which I would consider universally applicable -- but I had _thought_ that a penance was an outward sign of one's decision to turn anew to one's god. To repent is to turn again. Now it may often be that the outward sign is frequently an abstention from something one favors and the rationale for the abstention is that this favored thing has distracted the soul from attention to the god."
The small gnome shrugged. "True, the abstention is not likely to be pleasant for a soul that has become accustomed to the thing which is being taken away. But neither misery nor disadvantage nor discomfort is a necessity for a penance to accomplish what is needful. That is what I thought. It may not apply here. It may never apply outside the rarified atmosphere of academe. I may even have gotten it wrong in the learning. I _know_ I wasn't especially successful at acting a priestess. Kanon..."
Arachne moved toward the Dawn Priest. "I thank you for your explanation, both of how it is that you are here and of the need you feel for penance. I believe that it is probably necessary for you to see out the vow that you have made for this day. I regret your vow, but feel that we're stuck with it. However, since you suggested it, I am quite content to order you to march in the middle of the group today. Jana suggested that you should do the right thing, but I think we have to be firmer about it and insist that moving to the center of the group is one way whereby you _will_ let us help you. Agreed?"
Aloysius then turned to Jana. "I agree with you, Janathell. Methinks it likely that the quaggoth aren't likely to be the main threat in that cavern. More worrisome would be whatever scavengers that may have arrived. As we don't know what may be the case, we should stay together. Your strategies have served us well, and I see no reason to deviate from your advice now."
Kanon lowered his eyes and quickly cast the somewhat familiar prayer of sacred guardian on Echo. He waited for Arachne to finish speaking and looked up, "I realize that it may sound selfish of me to put my life in danger like this but I could think of no other way to atone to Lathander for what I've done. I am already on a quest seemingly like atonement, actually more of a time to study myself and deem if I am worthy to remain a priest after some of the things I've done. After a series of events that left two people very close to me dead I grew to hate a certain form of creature with every fiber of my being. I could think of nothing else but eradicating those things. I payed no thought to the fact that by killing vampires I was setting their soul free. The pity I had previously used to smite those unholy creatures became unbridled hate. I was dangerously close to losing touch with Lathander before a council of Morninglords divined that I would find peace here... in this place. I thought perhaps it would be as a tutor teaching for mayhaps the rest of my days but it appears it may be this quest." He looked away at the stone wall and then up at the ceiling, "Ever since the events that drove me to hate I have been quick to atone as quickly as possible. What I did was use the Nap prayer to effectively ask Lathander for twice the amount of attention that he gives every other priest or paladin with his granted prayers." He looked over at Jana and then Arachne, "If it will pacify the situation I will position myself in the rear of the party or in the middle for the remainder of the day but only under orders." He smiled and looked back down the tunnel listening intently for any sounds besides those made by the party.
The group walked down the tunnel for about an hour when they realized they were getting close and paused to finalize their method of approach.
Aloysius seemed to be in grand spirits as he traveled with the group. Upon reaching the spot where the planning was to be done, he withdrew his waterskin and took a drink.
"Stargazer was considering the use of invisibility 'pon himself afore continuing," he said inbetween drinks. "'Tis more effective afore battle than during," he noted. "And if we see no quaggoth, it will remain for the rest of the day in any event."
"If you're going to be invisible a lot," Arachne's voice warned him, "you have to learn to be careful to stay out of people's way. It's not as easy as you might think. With all-day invisibility, you forget it's there and fall into your usual habit of thinking in a group of people. You figure that you've got your personal space and that everyone can see you and it and will respect both. And you get careless about watching for other people unknowingly coming right at you until you get stepped on or trip up someone or --" The voice broke off. "Sorry," the voice mumbled. "Running on. You'll figure it out."
Aloysius seemed intent on studying the spot from which Arachne's voice came. "Indeed. Stargazer had not given that much thought, but your words are wise. I have ne'er been invisible for a day entire, I don't believe, and it has been many years since I've been small. Or 'short', anyway."
Echo nodded and cast her spells, first on Renn then on herself.
"So what's the plan?" she asked. "Do the rest of you want me, or me and Renn, to scout the caves where the quaggoth bodies should still be? That way we can move up that far as a group before we scout any deeper."
"I think we ought to just go as a group" Jana said. "I still think being invisible is of little use down here. The bodies will keep anything from chasing us. Easier to eat a meal that won't fight back."
Dalgaer frowned and mumbled, "Invisibility is helpful everywhere. Even down these beasts fought by sight. But sure, always a risk. Every warrior knows all fighting is a risk."
"And a smart warrior," Jana retorted, "makes sure to minimize the risks as much as possible. The risk of the scouts being caught away from the rest of us by something that doesn't need light to see down here, imagine that, outweighs the risk of some baby fuzzballs hearing us coming. In my opinion," she added. "I think we're in more danger of being smelled than of being seen."
Dalgaer looked startled that he heard her, but then he took several massive sniffs through his prodigious gnome nose and said, "Hmm."
"Invisibility helps, I'm sure, but not as much as it would on the surface," Renn said, his voice came from where he'd been standing when Echo made him invisible. "It's during a battle that the usefulness of being out of sight increases tenfold, I think," Renn added. "Of course, when you do decide to attack an unsuspecting opponents backside, it always helps to actually strike a blow," he chuckled.
Renn scooped up the last of his gear and gave Echo a nod to let her know he was ready.
"There shouldn't be any trouble between here and the quaggoth caves, so I don't see why we wouldn't be able to move as a group until then," Renn said in agreement. "After that, I see no reason not to scout ahead somewhat."
"Okay," Jana said wearily, "let's just go back to where the bodies are as a group and then we'll see about doing a little scouting. And Kanon," she added, "I'm just assuming you don't got a death-wish or nothing, so walk where you think best. Just remember that
you're part of a group, so all of us are having to pay a price for your penance. My whole point in this," she said, including Renn in her gaze, "is that we're better off if we can figure out ways to keep your gods appeased that don't involve hampering your effectiveness. Hells, hold services for us, teach us about your god. I'll sit through it, if it'll help. We'll do what we gotta do, but dammit, figure out some way to avoid hampering our group's strength, okay?"Jana tugged at her armor a bit more then said, "Okay, if we're all ready, let's get moving."
Azrun stood quietly as the group decided what to do. He looked as if he was about to say something a few times during the discussion of penance, but then thought better about it. "I'm content with whatever you guys want to do. I'm fine with watching the rear."
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