CH. 16: Homecoming

[Chris1234]

"Thank you. Let's get on with it then before she takes harm," replies Naras, forming up behind Val who wanted to take point.
Switching to Common, and pointing appropriately, the dwarf says, "That way, let's go." Then she adds, "The vent thing reperesnts their god and is where the Ixitachitls makes their sacrifices of the merfolk."

The group move on, led by Val.

[BishGada]

"No pretending please. We don't have time. Send the half demon," he looks at Naishe and winks, "if you wish but soon someone is coming to collect the girl according to Raven, so be fast." Baeros says impatiently and keeps partially drawing his swords from the scabbards and pushing them back in again repeatedly.

[Nuke]

Val, assessing the situation quickly, turns south, moving deeper into the lair.

[HorizonsDream]

"Naishe, go," Jocelyn says.

[Breila]

Ouragana nods to acknowledge Jocelyn's decision.

[BishGada]

Baeros takes position where he can see Naishe without exposing the group. He is impatient and with the slightest clue from Naishe will run with his dogs for the fight.

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn, Ouragana, Baeros, Gallath and Drav (Enott Harbor/Sardonx 15th, 7 PM)
Naishe walks up to the south door casually. Baeros keeps a sharp eye on her. She says something to the human, but the party is too far to hear what. At first, the man does not appear receptive. But suddenly he seems to change his mind and steps aside and lets her in.

After some time passes, she steps back out, waves bye to the guard and returns to the party. "I didn't see the girl, but there were a couple of offices inside that I couldn't get into; not without arousing suspicion, anyway. She's probably in one of them. I counted at least 25 men or so; there are probably some in those offices, but they didn't seem all that big. Maybe no more than 5 or so each."

Val and Naras (Ixitachitl Lair/Sardonx 12th, 1 PM)
Val takes the lead, with the undine and Naras following after her. After following the tunnel south for a ways, it opens up into a four way intersection. There is no sign of any further ixitachitl so far.

"This place is a maze," Serenna comments, looking around in frustration.

[Chris1234]

Naras suggests in Common, "Val, go right. Find he boundary that way." Shifting to Merspeak, "If you can, keep a watch behind please."

[Nuke]

Val turns right and moves forward.

[HorizonsDream]

"So, is that guard going to let us in as easily as he let you in?" Jocelyn asks curiously.

[BishGada]

"Never mind that. There are 25 of them and seven of us, so each one should take 2 people!" Baeros says determined, proving his math abilities as good as his manners, "We have done worse. Jocelyn, just say the word and lets go on with it. And by the way, stay behind me."

[JadedDM]

Jocelyn, Ouragana, Baeros, Gallath and Drav (Enott Harbor/Sardonx 15th, 7 PM)
Naishe shakes her head. "Not all of you. I can bring back two people. Maybe three, but that's really pushing it. Any more than that, and they'll suspect we're up to something. It's normal for a buyer to bring a couple of guards and teamsters, but trying to bring a big group in will make it look like you are going to attack."

Val and Naras (Ixitachitl Lair/Sardonx 12th, 1 PM)
Val turns to her right and swims westward. She enters another chamber, this one fairly similar to the last one. There's another geothermal vent and two ixitachitl are swimming around it. An undine, a young male, floats over the vent, his arms bound to his side. His mouth is gagged, so his screams are severely muffled. The ritual is completed, and the undine practically disintegrates, leaving behind its bones and some scales. Suddenly, the two ixitachitl grow in size by a few feet. The sacrifice seems to have made them stronger.

[HorizonsDream]

Jocelyn looks to Ourgana, Baeros and Gallath. "Who wants to go?" she asks.

[Chris1234]

{OOC: @Jaded - sorry if I was unclear, idea was for Val to lead the group to the right, not to explore alone.}

Of the pair, whichever foe Val goes for, Naras will try to engage the other. If one charges at her, Naras will try to set her spear to receive the charge.

[Breila]

"I am no use in combat" Ouragana says. "But with the spells I have now, i could block the entrance after you come out to keep away pursuers, and hold others. So I guess I better stay here and secure your retreat."