Chapter 2: Into the Dungeon

[Magremore]

Dahl breathes a sigh of relief and mouths the word “Thanks” to Mempisto. Lesson learned, he thinks. “Yes, let’s bind them. The blond-haired one seemed to try to communicate to us. Can we shake him awake and ask him what he and he his fellows were about?”

[jcftao]

Memphisto says, "I suppose...as long as he doesn't cry out."

[Wouter]

Lisglen checks out the room in more detail. The northern entrance to this room, through which the party entered, is not the only one: in the center of the east wall a 3 m wide passage can be seen, leading into darkness. Besides the tables and benches, there are eight bedrolls lying around. On the portable wooden altar in the back of the room stands a fairly crude stone statuette, about a foot tall, of a hippopotamus-headed humanoid with hammers where its hands should be. He searches the three acolytes that are seemingly fast asleep, but other than their maces he finds nothing of value on them.

Finnur takes out his rope, cuts it into four equal lengths and uses it to carefully bind the hands and feet of the sleeping zealots, as suggested by Memphisto and Dahl. They are not awoken and remain perfectly still. Meanwhile, the blond-haired acolyte is twisting and turning in his seemingly only light sleep, and every now and then he murmurs something unintelligible. He is shaken gently at the shoulder by Holger: "Speak up, man! Who are you and what brings you down here?"

[kwll]

Lisglen looks at the scene with interest, waiting to hear what the acolyte has to say.

[Magremore]

For a brief moment, Dahl feels a temptation inside himself to walk over and lift the statuette and see if it causes anything to happen. He glances over at the funny-looking thing and shivers, then turns his attention back to the blond acolyte, whom he hopes will provide some answers as to what the young worshippers are doing down here. Dahl will revisit his curiosity about the statuette later.

[RhinoDino1973]

"Ohhh, what happened? My head is pounding . . . "
Van squints his eyes and looks around.
"Good, you took care of these blathering idiots. I thought they had something to offer, but in the end these blindlings only do what they are told and follow a dark god. Bah! I am through with them! I should have trusted my gut and slew the lot of them as soon as the chantings began."
Van looks at the party and says, "My name is Van Illundra. I make bad choices and end up in situations like this. But no matter. I'm alive and if you'll have me, I would like to repay my life-debt to you."
Van snarls, turns his head and spits.
"Damned cultists."

[kwll]

"Cultists you say?" asks Lisglen at first, intrigued. "Let me introduce myself, I am Lisglen follower if the True Light. Here are my companions Dahl and Memphisto. May I ask what you know about this cult? And why would they require your help?"

[jcftao]

Memphisto casts a suspicious eye upon the man dressed in cultist robes. "Hmmm....I'd like to hear this story as well! What could compel you to join in with this group of zealots? What game are you playing at?"

[RhinoDino1973]

Van squints his eyes and looks at each person square in the face.
"Yes, this does look bad for me doesn't it? Typical for Van. Just Typical. Listen, I have been down on my luck. These fellows promised me everything under the sun, I just had to do what they told me. Well, I soon figured out what they told me was what I wanted to hear and I quickly became angry and disillusioned. I've been planning my departure when you showed up. That's my story. Believe what you want and if you don't, bugger off!"
Van spits on the ground then wipes his mouth on his sleeve, staring at the group.

[kwll]

Lisglen is genuinely surprised by the reaction of the would-be repentant cultist. "Now, now, you cannot blame us for being suspicious given the circumstances. And I would not think it wise for you to turn against us now. And you will know better, from now on, than following some strange cult promising things that only the True Light can offer. What are your plans then? Do you want to leave the place, or stay with us to set a few things right here?"