Sorithar

Before you've had much time to rest and gather your thoughts, Bettargh returns. He has with him a set of scale mail and a heavy steel shield clearly sized for a human or half-elf warrior. Both seem in used, but perfectly serviceable condition. He will say only that they were retrieved from fallen cultists as explanation for their source, but if Yohan is willing to try a tighter set of armor, some dwarf sized chainmail from their stores is also an option. For weapons, he carries nothing, but informs Yohan he can secure him a longsword, a dwarven waraxe or a heavy mace and a shortbow, if he wishes one.

Bettargh then proceeds to explain he's taking his leave of you, wishing you all the blessings of Dumathoin upon your efforts and informing you a new guide will be forthcoming and join you shortly with whatever weapon Yohan would like provided him. Shortly after his departure, a stout looking dwarf you had not previously noticed enters the makeshift barracks with what seems to be the weapon of Yohan's choice in hand.

With no objections and after Dolan has left a message for the Direlords, Dolan and Bettargh lead you back down the dark halls, lit only with your various sources of enchanted light, and through the hidden door, which Yohan is seeing for the first time, noting the seamless match to the surrounding stonework that is the hallmark of find dwarfcraft. The three guards here bid you welcome back with grim and stoic nods of acknowledgement, eyeing Yohan in particular and opening their eyes in surprise and confusion at the sight of Zephyr.

Bettargh bids Yohan to dismiss his conjured mount so as not to draw too much attention or crown the halls below. Soon, you are down the broad stair and back in the halls claimed by the Ironaxe outpost where Bettargh has you extinguish all but one light source as you'd done before, to shield the Stout Folk's eyes from the brightness they have grown accustomed to doing without. As usual, there is little movement in the halls, and those dwarves you cross seem bent on their destination. They give no more than a grunt and go their way. Bettargh leads you to the makeshift barracks room and then takes his leave of you, heading to make a report no doubt, and letting you know he'll look into some equipment for Yohan.

Morn moves to a less exposed position.

Morn let's a bolt loose and Jesse follows with an arrow, both fly wide and shatter against the far cavern wall.

Aeruiel in a rage, avoids much of the worst of the creature's breath and lands a mighty blow on the small creature, but it's strange hide is tougher than she imagines and the blow is much less lethal than it should have been.

Bochs looses another bolt to little avail.

While Maximilian draws his dagger.

Kethra misses yet again with a third bolt and consternation is clear in her expression.

Taking everyone by surprise, not least of all the small creature, Rodin drops his bow and dashes into the frigid waters of the spring, instantly sinking down to his waist but also shoving the small creature with such force that, had it not bumped into Aeruiel, it might have travelled even further. The creature is caught completely off guard, being shoved out of the deeper waters and while it tries to swipe at Rodin with a razor sharp claw, he easily evades the swipe.

Shaken, the creature unleashes another rain of acid droplets at Rodin, before dashing away and diving deep into the middle of the spring!

As you make your way back to the larger stair chamber, still strewn with debris and sleeping blankets you've searched.

As you stand about chatting and preparing to go up the staircase, Bettargh raises an incredulous eyebrow at Yohan's question and shakes his head in resignation before he weighs in. 

"I stay wit ya as me Arcrown bids, ba wouldna make sense ta get back ta me kin's halls an see if'n wa can secure Yohan ere some proper armor an a blade for wa head up?"

Rodin moves to aim his bow at the location the creature had last shown itself.

Morn moves to a less exposed position.

Jesse quickly looses another arrow but it flies wide.

Aeruiel works herself up into a rage and lunghes at the small, strange creature, but the winged thing manages to evade her swing.

Bochs tries to reload his clunky, if lethal, crossbow.

Maximilian prepares his sling, but unsure where the creature is, hesitates.

Kethra quickly loads and tries her crossbow again, but once more, misses with her bolt. Nead! She mutters under her breath again.

The creature, clearly shaken by Aeruiel's sudden change of mood and actions, flies back, still half submerged and opens its mouth to spew another cone shaped shower of acidic droplets.

Rodin quickly reacts, having waited for this exact action, and looses an arrow at the diminutive creature, but the arrow flies wide, much to the elven archer's great chagrin!

The shower of acidic droplets covers solely Aeruiel with a sizzling sound even as the creature's own wounds continue to slowly mend, water flowing over it to fill the voids of its remaining injuries.

Under one of the tattered and possibly lice infested blankets, Dolan does find a few tarnished silver coins left behind, but nothing else of value.

Travelling a bit further, Dolan's hunch proves true when the corridor ends in another small barrel-vaulted hall also probably an abandoned orc chamber, scattered with debris, including the remnants of a small cooking fire. As with some of the others you've glanced into, this one too has a half-dozen sleeping blankets scattered across the floor.

Without objection, Dolan continues onward, soon coming upon another small chamber off the main corridor, as with the others on this level, this is a small barrel-vaulted hall and probably another abandoned orc chamber, scattered with debris, including the remnants of a small cooking fire. As with some of the others you've glanced into, this one too has a half-dozen sleeping blankets scattered across the floor, though here some meal remnants. There are cooked bones of small animals and fabric food wrappings scattered on the floor. It looks like rodents of some sort have devoured most of the uneaten remnants.

Bettargh seems a bit confused by Yohan's question but then seems to come to a realization.

"I grown up in Daggerford, na da dwarfholds of old. I been on a horse, though I na cherish reliving da experience. E've som Whiteshields wit us, them be better fer us Stout Folk by me reckoning."