Session 40: Fear of heights

[istainion]

              

CHARACTER: Graelor "Blight" Swiftbreeze  
CLASS: Fighter LVL: 04
LVL PROGRESS: Unknown
 

Day 80: Insect repellent 60 -> 59, incense 10/10 (Streth 0) (same day)
NOTE: Obtained 15 GP, A ring of gold and Carnelian, and two onyx figurines of Chwingas, connected rope returned to Jasper and Smuck, Azaka left the party (temporarily)

The ground was shaking, and countless of sounds came from four locations in the wall of the pit. Hitting through the wall to create a passage. Smuck jumped off my shoulders and hurried to one of them, placing some ... Explosive device there? I don't even know what it is, but it sure did explode in my face! Even Taban, who suddenly jumped down into the pit to accompany us, was caught in the blast. When the explosion struck, the hole that was being created caved in. At the other three, spiders came crawling out. Giant Wolf Spiders ... Each of us reached for our weapon and took care of them, only to be confirmed that more would keep coming if we don't block the passages!

I jammed another passage shut with a large rock, as Shago, Smuck and the others helped to close the remaining two. The battle came to an end and now we could finally move to the vertical tunnel which Smuck and I previously explored. It's a 90 ft tall, vertical tunnel. We considered using pitons to climb our way up, but I realized that it might just be a waste of tools to make our way up this ... Tower?

I decided to climb up, check if the surroundings are clear for the other to follow, and borrowed the rope of Jasper and Smuck to help them up the tunnel from the surface once I'd get there. The climb was easy, and I made it to the other side. No enemies in sight, and neither any traps, so the rope dropped as a sign that it was clear. One after the other, they made their way up again.

Once they were all there, I decided to scout the surroundings once more. The path split in half, one leading to the left, a dead end, and the right led to the outside. When I peeked a bit farther, I saw a year-old corpse that wasn't in the best shape, but enough to recognize. Within the old blood, I spotted a glint of something valuable, like a gem. I reported to the group, and both Arden and Smuck seemed interested in the potential treasure. They followed closely to the path when I scouted that surrounding. All seemed clear, until there was motion at the ceiling. There I stood on my own, under attack of countless of Stirges! That nearly took me out, but the group helped me out. So many of them got attached to my FACE! I bet it looks really ugly right now! How will Azaka notice me like this! ... Good thing I am loud enough.

We obtained 15 GP, A ring of gold and Carnelian, and two onyx figurines of Chwingas. Perhaps these can be used when we get in trouble with the terrorfolk? I'm also surprised they haven't been inside of here to retrieve it, themselves. Perhaps it is a good sign that we take this route?

On our way to the outside, we were halted in our steps. Azaka suddenly announced that she cannot move on. Most of us were confused, she did seem frightened all this time, but she never explained why. But she is afraid of heights, afraid of falling to her death. Man, I can't even BLAME Her, we will climb quite far and the ladders don't look great. The wind is likely to pick up as well at a higher height and it just makes it worse. I was worried that she'd be in danger on her own, but she assured me that nothing would touch her. Not even the undead could land a scratch on her, like some magical barrier protected her.

I took this opportunity to ask if I will be rewarded for my heroic deeds, but all I was given is a promise of a kiss. Hey, we gotta start somewhere, right~? However, the rest thought differently for a while. A debate took place in which they attempted to convince her, but her primal fear is simply too solid. Rathyn also hesitated, even with the promise of fun, he said that there was nothing to gain for him, and that I just did it to please Azaka. He isn't wrong though? I joked that I could also give him a kiss if that'd be the issue, but I simply wasn't fit for the position.

Ah well, I suppose a kiss shared among brothers in arms isn't the SAME! Hahah! His gaze wandered however, and landed on Shago. With a lot of hesitation, and encouragement of others, Shago moved closer to Rathyn, took a deep breath with a few, final words spoken in his mind. "It can't be much different from women ..." He muttered, before he reached to Rathyn to give a BIG, FAT, WET kiss on the mouth. It sent shivers down my spine to watch that. But Rathyn leaned in, even lifting his foot. The weirdo. But it worked? He joined us. Azaka stayed behind. 

She told us that the stolen heirloom is a magical mask of a beast.

After that display of masculinity, we resumed our journey past the slim passage that the outdoors provided us to the next ladder. The wind picked up a second time and threatened Jasper's life, but he had it all under control. Even when we stayed low, it wasn't optimal, still. We remained away from the edge as much as we could, before the more solid ladder brought me and Arden up, closely followed by Smuck. At the higher height, however, there was a light, hidden away in a corner. Likely from a campfire, the light source was unstable. Near it, there were three corpses. I sneaked a little closer, and picked up a noise of scratching against a smoother surface.

I tried to get a better look on the target ...