Tunnel into the Waterways

The streetears were right about one thing: there are the old waterways that still run under the city from the ruins of Rabanastre to Emberstrand, and some would have it clear into the Nalbina Fortress if one were to travel far enough. The stonework is ancient, from prior to the Galtean Alliance, back when the countries of Archades and Rozarria were mere city-states. A set of underground waterways meant to link important cities long forgotten, to create a waterway network for transporting goods and people.

Then it became forgotten with the advent of airships. The things that took over the skies, gave freedom to all, and forgot the waterways and the architects who built them to last forever.

The sounds that echo around show that someone, or something has not forgotten. The sound of scraping on ancient rock, muffled cacophany of voices echoes down the waterway from points unknown.

Carrying a torch to light the way, a tall, armored white wolfkin makes his slow way into the Waterways below the city. While the streetears are known to occasionally inflate their mutterings, and the Mist makes the subterranean passages a gamble to explore on the best of days... Some things bear investigating. Shield at the ready, he waits at the entrance chamber. Adventurers are thick on the ground in Emberstrand, after all, and no sense going alone when he could be one of a number.

Thud, clank, thud, the heavy drops of steel boots echo. The tall Lunarian making his way to the undercity. A massive two handed warhammer strapped to the back of the seven foot tall man. Where most of his kind are generally lanky and tall, this man has muscle on him. At least it seems to be that way by the shape and design of his plate armor. Coming to a stop, the only way the man could be stealthy, and listens for a moment. Hmming as he glances around to see who else is there. A nod to Dietrich, "Seems we be havin some rats digging a mite much."

For some reason, Hoku has been sent down to check out the noise. Maybe because no one at the Hunter's Guild wants to deal with her because of her blunt and simplistic mindset. One way or another, the Sanuye finds herself boredly examining her surroundings, filled with no awe, paused by no splendor. She is evidently uncomfortable with being underground, showing it with a constant firecatdog frown and visible tension in her gait. She stops when she runs into the others she was sent to meet up with, and sits down in wait. Her lidded eyes give cursory examinations of the two large men that ends an unenthusiastic nod to the both of them. She doesn't say a word, but neither does she blink very much, even as she turns her head to look down the passageway, waiting for others.

Bare feet follow Maraxus' iron boots down into the waterway, as Tristania descendes to join those going to conduct an investigation. She carries no light, apparently quite content to allow others to supply that. "When rats gnaw at the roots of your grove," she fairly hisses, "You *exterminate* them without mercy." Is she smiling? Hard to tell, with that mask. She rests one hand on the knobkerrie hanging from her waist, little more than a femur from some beast (or man?) that it is. Her eyes flick from person to person, finding few enough that she reckognizes. It will have to suffice.

Bare feet follow Maraxus' iron boots down into the waterway, as Tristania descendes to join those going to conduct an investigation. She carries no light, apparently quite content to allow others to supply that. "When rats gnaw at the roots of your grove," she fairly hisses, "You *exterminate* them without mercy." Is she smiling? Hard to tell, with that mask. She rests one hand on the knobkerrie hanging from her waist, little more than a femur from some beast (or man?) that it is. Her eyes flick from person to person, finding few enough that she reckognizes. It will have to suffice.

A chance to explore ancient underground waterways? How could Grumm resist even is theres a chance of something trying to eat him down there that's causing the noise. Slung on his back is another new round wooden shield, this one half red and half yellow with a black malboro on the front. Instead of the more common torches he wears a mining helmet, basic metal cap, with a chinstrap and a lip sticking out of the front. Attached just above the lip is a small lantern that focuses the light in a beam ahead of him. He walks over to the group, with a broad smile. "Excitin'."

"Rats are also creatures of nature. One need not exterminate them, kupo. Simply drive them out." - There are many reasons for a Hunter to come down into waterways so vast. Treasure perhaps. There are many lost goods in the world of the underground. Or money and fame, as many come down to claim as Hunters. The Swordsmoogle Kupor is not one of those Hunters. He is efficient, mindful, and cheap. Sounds in the waterways in this time of war can mean only two things. The army wishes to advance through a stealthy avenue. Or the war has awakened something that slumbers that must be taken care of. No matter. Both must be taken care of. - The area ahead of the gathering lights up as Kupor squeezes a small spell rock, making it light. Like a bomb fragment, but far less explosive. Expensive, but far more useful in a sewer. Across his back is slung a small pack of supplies. Chalk. Rope. He frowns at the sheer number of those who have gathered. Kupor is beginning to dislike large numbers. - He spots Zhgir. He points. "Do not explode anything, please. It will do great harm to the city. People will be upset." He turns towards to Grumm and bows at the waist. "You are experience in this way, kupo. Do you know where we must go?"

The light that does manage to come down from the storm grates casts an eerie look on the Garamsythe Waterways. Adventurers are always brave and willing to take on the challenge of examining something. The sounds echo from further down the tunnel, the water flowing through the aqueduct. The ground shakes briefly and the sound of scraping returns.

Dietrich's shield-hand rises, to point down the tunnel. "That way," he says quietly, turning to offers the others assembled a nod of greeting. "Good to see you all, friends... Though I imagine our quarry is something a touch more... determined... than sewer rats. Come. Let's see what there is to see." And with that, keeping his pace slow to allow the others time to catch up, Dietrich moves onward down the tunnel.

Maraxus humpfs to himself. "Rats, and be in need a good stomping." Reaching into a satchel and pulling out a torch of his own. "Lets be going." Glancing around to the others, "Aye." looking back over to Dietrich, starting to follow after him. The heavy boots sadly and clinks of his armor, breaking any possible attempt the group may have at stealth.

As very little attention has been placed on Hoku, she instead busies herself with scrutinizing the other party members. Kupor gets a curious squint. Zhgir gets a wary glance, as well as her shuffling a step or two away. Grumm gets a disinterested passover. Tristania gets a neutral stare that lasts awkwardly too long. Once they start moving, she remarks, "I break things. That is my skill," to the group in general, in that gruff but undeniably female voice.

"Chase them off, and they return." Tristania stares down at Kupor, gazing at him for a long moment from behind her mask. "When they return, they continue to gnaw. As they gnaw, the grove dies." She pauses, taking her knobkerrie from her belt, and slapping the business end against her palm. "Remember, small creature. Death is also part of nature." With a certain, grim satisfaction, the dryad resumes walking. She falls into step in a position behind Dietrich and Maraxus; death certainly is part of nature, and so it pays to stay behind the larger, tougher people.

Zhgir tries hard to push away the cloth he has gotten himself entangled with, whilst simultaneously holding off his satchel. "Wait, wait for Zhgir!" He calls out, as his head finally pushes into the open. He stares at Grumm and Kupor for a moment, reaching out with a finger towards the pair. "And explosions are in nature's way." The arachnid rappels back up to the darkness, shuffling after the leading group to the best of his ability.

Grumm shakes his head at Kupor. "I dun know these cavern. They's a good place fer shelter fer many creature so it hard to guess what problem is." His head swivels around, pointing the beam at many places along the walls. "Sound like summin diggin. No wit' pick but maybe claw or some machine." He follows along with the group, near the middle and frequently distracted by the architecture. "Is good work down here."

The gaze is met. Kupor's gaze is steady, unwavering, neutral. He does not appear intimidated, nor trying to intimidate. He simply looks from under his wide straw hat. "As is life, kupo." - The moogle follows in step. "There will be a place to put use to your skills when the time is right." He offers to Hoku, not admonishing as his slight tone implies to Zhgir. Kupor presses his hand to his face and takes a deep breath as Zhgir implies. Perhaps some sort of leash. No. Steady. Walk the right path. He can learn. - Maybe. - He nods to Grumm. "Then keep your ears open, kupo."

The ground shivers again as the adventurers move down the passageways. The scraping is getting louder as the adventurers go down the path. Cockroaches, rats, and smaller vermin scatter out of the way of the adventurers, but it grows darker in the dimness, the only thing appearing to light the way is the Sanuye's tail flame. The architecture is impressive and ancient, complete with a series of carved signs in pre-Galtean language.

"If only I'd studied my languages better," Dietrich murmurs, touching the edge of one of the carvings. "Mmn. Perhaps I'll return..." Ears prick up, as the sounds grow louder, and the wolfkin turns to the rest of the party. "Perhaps it'd be wisest if we made our approach along the sides of the passage." Nodding to Maraxus. "Sir, if you, Sir Grumm, and the lady could stick to that side... I, Ser Moogle, and the Lady Sanuye, to this. Friend Zhgir?" he says, addressing the shadows above them. "If you'd be kind to slip ahead and have a look as we make our approach?"

Maraxus stops a moment, to look over some of the signs. Shaking his head, "I be old, but tis is far older. Yet why be people wishin to hide from dah moons warm shadow." Shaking his head slowly as he turns to continue on further, "Iffin deh be trying to get a route deh almost be done, else deh be diggin for something else." Frowning a bit as holds up his torch and grumbling, "Shoulda brought a lantern." Nodding over to Dietrich as he moves over to the indicated side.

Hoku stays at the center of the group, though venturing to the suggested position as Dietrich organizes the group. She does not notice the benefit her tail has to the others. She stays a little further ahead than the more squishy of the group, however. The signs on the walls are nothing but scribbles to Hoku. She regards the writing for a mere few seconds with utter incomprehension on her face, and returns her attention to more important matters, like watching and listening for dangers. She's momentarily distracted by the disagreement between Tristania and Kupor, rumbling with impatience.

"I am called Tristania." The Dryad nods once to Dietrich, a motion punctuated by the long beak on her mask, before she moves to the side of the tunnel that was indicated. She, too, pauses here and there to examine the wall carvings, but unlike Dietrich she passes no comment. Her gaze flicks about, as she looks and listens to the sounds the echo through the tunnel. "I have no experience in caves," she admits, directed to Maraxus. "I hope that you do."

"Zhgir, Zhgir?" Comes the voice from somewhere above. And then, with disturbing speed, the arachnid plops down in front of Dietrich. "Friendship punch." He states, then offers his fist the wolfkin. "Trade scents later." He adds after as he points at Dietrich with his fist turned finger, before disappearing back up onto the darkness; the arachnid planning to put his well-versed sense of dark and miserable places into use.

Grumm nods and unslings his shield, following Marduke to the other side. "There many riches inna ground that people know and many more that mos' dun. I can' say wha's here, but maybe the builder miss summin. Or it could just be summin making a home." His walking slows for a bit as he takes a good look around.

The light rock Kupor grasps in his hand becomes a sphere of light that hardly penetrates the dark. Kupor frowns. He presses his hands to the rock, squeezing it, rubbing it. But it does not shed further darkness. He nods once in agreement with Deitrich. "Kupo," he ascends, taking a light leap over the water to stand just behind the armored wolf. He pitches his voice low, "We should be silent, kupo." He should be able to tune Maraxus out. Probably. - He considers. He can plan for the best, or... "And watch the spider warily, kupo. If there is danger, he is most likely to summon it first or run away from it first." One must learn to use others to their greatest advantage.

The ground shakes before going silent. There's the muffled sounds again, this time clearer. "...kinna dig further," comes the muffled voice down the passageway. There's a whining down the passage that winds down, and soon the sounds of grating metal on stone are heard.

Dietrich's torch is lifted, as thogh to call a halt... then the wolfkin sets the flaming brand on the ground, easing his sword out of its scabbard. "Ready, friends," she says, voice low. "Close enough to hear, is close enough to be heard." Keeping his own tread as smooth as he can manage, he continues to creep down the side of the passage, ears alert and tail curling upward, anticipating the enconter to come.

Hoku doesn't make a lot of sound as it is, having pawpads like she does. She starts to take up a slow, feline stalking gait, however, when Dietrich gives his warning. The Sanuye woman keeps her senses peeled for anything she might recognize, while maintaining the place in the group she has been assigned to. She sniff at the air, obviously regretting it when the ancient air down here makes her face twist as if she's about to sneeze.

Zhgir continues to crawl up ahead of the group, staying to the ceiling as much as possible, but dropping down if that was what he was forced to do. And, despite the natural inclinations of all arachnids to spontaneously burst into a friendship song, he does remain quiet and instead, attempts to move stealthily close enough to figure out what was going on. And fill that temporary curiosity, so he can move onto more important things.

Grumm taps Maraxus as the grating starts up again. "Tha's def'nitly a diggin' machine." With the number of close in combatants present he determines his best place is the second line and he holds position until theres some distance between the large armored man before following.

To no surprise to anyone, Kupor leaves his sword in his scabbard. He tucks the stone in underneath his wrap, stowing it underneath his tunic. The light extinguishes and wraps the moogle in darkness. "Be wary, kupo." He whispers. "It may simply be treasurehunters, or those who live underneath the streets." - As Hoku looks like she is going to sneeze, Kupor produces a small cloth and offers to hold it to her muzzle to muffle the sound. Once must be prepared for all situations, even allies without thumbs or hands. Or handkerchiefs.

Let's hope the Sanuye doesn't sneeze at the wrong time. "'ey, looks like th' drill punched through," comes a gruff voice, sounding as though wrought from the gravel of the Earth Mother. "Get th' rest o' the trash cleaned." There's a pause before orders are barked in an unmistakeable accent. "Of course, Senora!" comes the response to the order to clean. There's the sounds of picks and shovels working to clear away, and more tidbits of rocks cave into the passageway, opening the whole in order to make it wide enough for four men across to easily walk through. Throuh the passageway steps a short individual, armored to the teeth and wielding what appears to be a large bore drill. With the person are several others, bearing shovels and mines. "Looks like we're through, boys," the short one says.

"We'll not know what they're after," Dietrich says with a quiet sigh, "without asking or listening... Let's hope Zhgir's learned more than we, mh?" The wolfkin's shield comes up, augmenting the barrier he seems to make, between trouble and those behind him. Steadily he creeps on, eyes on the miners' weaponry, mindful that any tool can be a weapon in a pinch.

Maraxus was never one for stealth. It served its purpose, and revealed their enemies. "That accent, it is Rozzarian." It is all he says, it is also the only warning he gives to the others. He starts forward, no attempts to hide his approach. The heavy thudding of the boots picking up speed with each step. Maraxus is also armored to the teeth, wearing plate from head to toe. His heavy two handed war hammer coming up as he approaches the other armored man. No words offered, only the faint glow in the Lunarians eyes.

"What--" is all that Hoku gets out before Maraxus dashes ahead to begin the chaotic melee that was likely inevitable today. She looks startled, at first, but can only get swept up in the moment, bounding forward to advance on another of the mysterious group, trying to move as quickly as possible, claws scrabbling at stone and minorly impeding her progress.

Zhgir has learned so much more than the others; that is to say, being draped in a black flag is fine on paper, but spirits be damned does it get away. Fighting the cloth away for the nth away, the arachnid rappels down above the drill wielding individual. "But the exit is all the way over there," Zhgir helpfully points out, pointing in the direction where currently a seven foot tall lunarian and firetailed sanuye were rushing from. "Zhgir understands though. It's a big place!" He nods sagely.

Grumm stops as he hears the start of stone falling and raises the shield above his head. When the miners are seen he lowers it and watches, muttering to himself in dwarfish about having to wait for an inspection of the equipment. Keeping his distance, he watches and waits, prepared to support the others.

The moogle's hand comes up as he blocks Maraxus' path with a few nimble leaps, faster without the heavy armor to weigh him down. "Being Rozzarian is not a crime, kupo. It is not a reason for violence." So much violence in this city. Kupor sets his face. "Learn something of those you would fight, warrior. Use your mind, your ears, your eyes, before your weapon, or all you will have, kupo, is corpses." - His voice becomes hard. "Think before you fig-" - Then Zhgir acts. Today is REALLY not Kupor's day.

The armored soldiers next to the 'Senora' in a protective stance, using picks and shovels as means of weapons that are at the ready. The 'Senora' grumbles under her breath, similarly to Grumm, and hefts the drill in her hands, armored fingers reaching for the engine pull. "If'n it's a fight ye want, ye be crossin' agains' Hilgya Crystallode." So our mining engineer has a name after all. She pulls the string, letting the engine on the mining drill rev up. "Ain't be wantin' t' fight ye, but I've got a joob t' do."

"Your job, madam," Dietrich calls, striding toward the group, sword in hand, "seems to be at odds with Emberstrand's desire to remain a free state, does it not? Friends, let's at least attempt a peacable solution. If these good lads and ladies will throw down their weapons and surrender... Well. Then nobody will have to get hurt, will they? I must admit, madam, it's a far better option than a few of my friends seem to want to take."

Maraxus purshes right past the moogle, just offering him a glance, "Ye still be alive within that naive attitude of ye's?" Stepping forward and bringing down the hammer into the floor. The crack of rock sends shards in all directions. He leans into the handle as he grins over to the miners, "Aye it be odds. Tis why we be here. Ta ask ye kindle ta leave. Ye be seein, iffen if ye fight us here, we be winnin dis. We be knowin of dem tunnels and be having some friends be going ta get some splosives. Ye cann be be leaving, or ya cann be buried alive. ye choice." Keeping his grip around the handle of his hammer should they decide to attack.

Maraxus purshes right past the moogle, just offering him a glance, "Ye still be alive within that naive attitude of ye's?" Stepping forward and bringing down the hammer into the floor. The crack of rock sends shards in all directions. He leans into the handle as he grins over to the miners, "Aye it be odds. Tis why we be here. Ta ask ye kindle ta leave. Ye be seein, iffen if ye fight us here, we be winnin dis. We be knowin of dem tunnels and be having some friends be going ta get some splosives. Ye cann be be leaving, or ya cann be buried alive. ye choice." Keeping his grip around the handle of his hammer should they decide to attack.

Maraxus purshes right past the moogle, just offering him a glance, "Ye still be alive within that naive attitude of ye's?" Stepping forward and bringing down the hammer into the floor. The crack of rock sends shards in all directions. He leans into the handle as he grins over to the miners, "Aye it be odds. Tis why we be here. Ta ask ye kindle ta leave. Ye be seein, iffen if ye fight us here, we be winnin dis. We be knowin of dem tunnels and be having some friends be going ta get some splosives. Ye cann be be leaving, or ya cann be buried alive. ye choice." Keeping his grip around the handle of his hammer should they decide to attack.

Zhgir waves at the nearest soldier, muttering silently 'Hello, Friend Zhgir...' to the poor person whilst offering his fist to the man. Few of his other hands start to tug loose the black flag off his person. "Touring rats." He nods sagely; in response to the voiced question, and then looks curiously towards the tunnel.

Zhgir waves at the nearest soldier, muttering silently 'Hello, Friend Zhgir...' to the poor person whilst offering his fist to the man. Few of his other hands start to tug loose the black flag off his person. "Touring rats." He nods sagely; in response to the voiced question, and then looks curiously towards the tunnel.

"Myself and others, kupo," Kupor responds to Maraxus. But there is no violence yet. Kupor's tension eases. He is being judgmental. Harsh. He smoothes his face, closes his eyes, centers himself, and breathes. For a long moment, he breathes, before righting himself. - "That, kupo," Kupor answers Hoku, "is why one talks first." He steps forward once more. A little ahead of Maraxus and Tristania. - Just in case.

"Rally-Ho indeed, friend. I built' er." The dwarf steps forward, pushing past her compatriots. "You four, head back down the tunnel! Get reinforcement. I nay be likin' th' way things b' going." The drill whines as she revs it up. "I ain't gunna let y' hurt th' boys. But I hae a job t' do." The others start to back away, one giving voice to protest. "But, Senora! The General, he will take my head--" The dwarf cuts him off. "Better your head later than your balls now. Get goin'!" She turns back to the adventurers. Such a pitiful prospect against so many adventurers, but a determined individual nonetheless. The others, however, take off running down the drilled shaft.

"You seem a decent lady, madam Hilgya," Dietrich says, voice heavy. "Friends, if at all possible, see her captred alive. The Council will wish dearly to know the true scope of her 'job.' And if we can close the tnnel before reinforcements arrive..." Bright, silvery runes flare alight down the length of his sword, and with a flick of his arm flare outwards to settle around Hoku in a shimmering, hexagonal coccoon. "I think we'd all sleep better, if that could be managed."

Maraxus pulls up his hammer and tosses it over his shoulder with a humpf. "She already be given herself up." He offers and cracks a smile, "Letting yeself become prisoner now, tis brave, but commendable ta save ye boys. Honorable." One hand holding the hammer across his shoulder, the other reaching into his bag and glancing back to Grumm, "Lets lay what charges we have now, blow the tunnel up ahead." Pulling his hand out of his bag and starting to walk by the dwarf. The grip on his hammer ready, and a easy arc swing from his shoulder should the dwarf should she try anything. A look given to the dwarf implying she best put down her weapon if she is smart at all. A grease bomb in his other hand ready to slick the floor past the clearing.

It's quite clear that the dwarf is nefarious and that they're up to no good after the initial confusion, so Hoku doesn't even bother hesitating or speaking past that point. She doesn't even notice the spell directed at her. She lunges for the dwarf woman immediately, trying to weave around her mechanical drill and tackle her to the ground in a move that is nothing but feral, sharp claws held outward, and mouth snapping forward to try to get a mouthful of her shoulder in a vicious bite. But it's not a quick bite, she tries to hold on tight to her target.

Tristania will not be requiring her knobkerrie, it seems. No. There are others here for such brutish matters. The dryad carefully slips the weapon back into her belt, and withdraws instead a ragged looking doll, made from burlap. "The chance has been given to bare your throat to the carnivore, and live," she hisses, as she produces a fair sized nail carved from bone, with a small turtoise shell at the top. "Take your time, and think about it." She raises the nail up high, before driving it down hard into the doll; a ripple of magic flickers through the air from doll to dwarf, and the spell is cast. [Slow]

Zhgir, for his own part, looks utterly panicked as the soldiers start to head back towards the tunnel. "Wait, wait, wait for Zhgir...!" He calls out after the fleeing soldiers, as he finally finishes stretching out his flag. With a firm flap, the canvas stretches across the air - and then the arachnid lets go, letting the black cloth flutter in the air as he darts towards the tunnel.

"Tha's fine craf'smanship. Ya min' if I give it a try?" Grumm continues walking forward and slings the shield on his back. "I can 'spect yer dedication ta ya job, but ya have ta unn'erstan' that we can' let ya unnermine the city like this, 'less ya have permit o' the council." He sighs and shakes his head slowly. "I'm sorry for what we need ta do but I have swear ta protect the city. Dun take much ta collapse where is unsupport." It would appear that time for talking has finished and he rushes forward, trying to get past the miner and point out spots for charges.

With the quick act of Hoku, Kupor must do something to end this as rapidly as possible. He leaps forward in two quick flips, pushing towards the attacked dwarf. He makes a swift simple kick, aimed for the drill to knock it loose. "Please, miss, kupo. I wish no blood to come of this. Simply come with us."

It can be amazing how much strength is in such a tiny little frame. Especially when the frame has been lugging around the mining drill. The female dwarf is tackled to the ground, a blood curdling scream of pain ripped loose from her throat, one of her shoulders gripped in a vice of jaws, but her other hand is free. The drill is kicked free of her hand, freeing it! She brings the hand, armored in hardened steel, back in a fist and slams home to Hoku's head, trying to punch the Sanuye off. The flurry of blows becomes slowed as Tristania's magic seeps into the dwarf's bones, dragging her to slow movements. The soldiers back in the tunnel hear the scream and continue running, not wanting to let the 'Senora's' sacrifice be in vain as they attempt to dodge through the rocks of the tunnels. The 'boys' have a head start down the rabbit warren of tunnels.

"Zhgir!" Just catching the spider's scuttling down toward the passage, the wolfkin looses a short, annoyed rumble. "Sir Moogle, Lady Tristania... please, stay and ensure Madam Hilgya's surrender. You sir," he says, nodding to Maraxus, "and... oi! Master Grumm! Right behind you! If for nothing else, to keep that *bloody* spider out of more trouble..." With that, he takes off after Grumm down the tunnel, armored boots slamming heavily into the rock with each long, loping pace.

Maraxus does not glance back to the fallen dwarf. He has other business on his mind, tossing the grease bomb down the exposde tunnel. "Find them and get ready to blow the supports master dwarf." Maraxus offers glancing back to Grumm, "A temporary solution, but it will give us the time we need to flood the tunnels." Seems he has something in mind for a longer lasting solution. A touch of a dark look on his face, "Can dwarves swim?" Staring for this satchel and then throwing out a arm to stop Dietrich, "Our spider friend can make his way back, or he can sneak his way out. I suspect he is attempting to find out where the tunnels come out on the other end for us. Let him." Before reaching for his bag again to pull out a lighter, ready to set the grease on fire should reinforcements come.

The impact to Hoku's head causes a gruff and pained noise muffled by the shoulder, easily bruised by the punch, the fist even breaking her skin at her brow and making her screw her eye shut on that side. But she soon steels her grip once more... and then tries to lift the dwarf woman, and leap backward, whirl in the air, and /slam/ her into the floor in a feral piledriver, but somewhat clumsy about it thanks to a lack of practice. Thankfully, the Sanuye's frame is strong and is unlikely to have trouble lifting a dwarf. But that's all she can manage before she staggers away, releasing her toothy grip. "Hrrk." Yeah, that hurt more than it looked.

Well. One thing at a time. "I will stay, and not attempt to save the spider from his likely death," she agrees, as she tucks the doll back where it came from, with the turtle nail still driven firmly through its chest. Her knobkerrie returns to her hand, and she saunters leisurely towards the dwarf (the female one). "If you will come with us awake," she pronounces, "Then you shall come with us asleep." She raises the knobkerrie, brandishing it high in the air (or at least as high as the passageway permits), before bringing the weapon down hard, aiming for the woman's skull. It is not a blow meant to kill; rather, a blow meant to usher her into a dark and lengthy unconsciousness. Assuming she can pull it off, of course.

Plans are nice and friendship is magic. That fleeting thought soon vanishes from the arachnid's mind as Zhgir continues to make his way down after the fleeing men. It was not that difficult track the direction they were headed for the arachnid; it was much harder not to break his neck while doing it. And still stay stealthy. His plan was to follow the group out the tunnel, and hopefully sneak wherever with the undoubtable commotion the men's return would cause.

Grumm slows to a walk as he looks around the tunnel, searching for anything he can use to collapse it. "Needda fin' a good spot, one that will cause a good cave in." He looks back at Marduke with an eyebrow raised. "No normal, why? Maybe one that live on the surface for long time." Back to searching he looks in any crevices or areas off to the side for supplies. Stoping completly, he at the walls, then ceiling of the tunnel. "This look like good spot." Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yells down the tunnel. "Zhgir, come back."

Three on one against the hearty dwarf. Kupor slides back from the dwarf and nods to Deitrich. "Kupo," he agrees, "I do not know what madness takes him, but take some care." Kupor pulls the sword from his back, leaving it in the scabbard, tied. "His mind may be the death of himself and us one day, kupo, but I will not let it be so as long as I am near. We will not drown him for his own foolishness, kupo." - The swordsmoogle tenses, gauging Tristania's attack. No, it is a glancing blow, made to knock out, should Hoku's impressive strength prove not adequate. Kupor holds his own wrapped sword at bay. He will not use it unless he has to, but he is poised to swing it should either of his companions prove unable to take her down.

The Sanuye's piledriver isn't as hard as one might think, but it certainly knocks the breath out of the dwarf, leaving her to lay on the ground to gasp. Her movements are slowed from magic, and her hands raise up to attempt to fight off the club meaning to sap her of consciousness. However, the blow is not blocked in time, and the knobkerrie smacks into the dwarf's hard head just above the eye. A dwarvish curse dies on the woman's lips as she is knocked unconscious. Back in the tunnel, however, the others have continued their run at breakneck speed, one managing to trip and fall before scrambling back to their feet again. There's no sign of noise at the tunnel, meaning reinforcements haven't been gotten yet.

"ZHGIR!" Dietrich roars down the tunnel, "RETURN, ELSE YOU MISS YOUR VICTORY MEAL!" Looking down at Maraxus' hand, then up, and to the dwarf, the wolfkin pinches the base of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "Five minutes, we give him. Then, collapse the tunnel, and pray he's as cunning as he is foolish.

Maraxus nods to Dietrich, "If he be comin back, dah value of the other side exit be valuable ta." Shaking his head and noding to the dwarf, "set em good dwarf, five minutes, given us time ta get out to." Flicking the lighter in his hand and snapping it on. He glances back to the armored dwarf and shakes his head, "Courages she be. Tie her up, I got some cords iffin ye need it." Engineers, never know what they have on them. Before he looks down the passage again, carefully watching and waiting. "We leave in three, need to be clear our selves, and she be heavy ta drag."

The Sanuye woman doesn't have much capacity to do much but sit around looking dizzy, looking dumbly at the others as they discuss their plan of action, and then down at the unconscious dwarf. Considering this to be a victory, she attempts a howl of triumph, which wavers some, and forces her to shake her head firmly in a vain attempt to get her senses back. Being punched in the head by a dwarf appears to have dizzied her some.

The masked dryad stands menacingly over the dwarf woman, knobkerrie raised in preparation for another swift strike; but it would appear that the desired effect has been achieved. Tristania straightens, and hmmphs softly, giving the dwarf a nudge with her foot, to be sure. She returns her weapon to its place, ebfore casting her eyes about; the drill, where it has fallen, is retrieved. Grumm, however, has wandered off. "Curious," she mutters, as she turns the device over in her hands. "The short one with the beard will want it. I shall see that he receives it."

It is sometime, four minutes and thirty seconds later, when Zhgir pops out of the darkness. "Zhgir?" He asks as he crawls out - bandages all the much worse for wear and the arachnid more greasy, but intact for the time being. "Odd rats for the season." He mutters as he rejoins the group.

"Cunning or no, he seems ta have a gift fer survive." Grumm nods and goes back to his search, finding a crate in a small offshoot. It takes a bit to pry the lid off with his axe and he quickly runs back to his chosen spot, holding the crate out to Maraxus. "I think I fin' summin. How do they work?" He sets the crate down and pulls out a chage in each hand, looking closely at them. Putting them back he grabs a nearby pick, slamming it quickly into the wall, making holes on each side for them.

"Five." Kupor takes the cord. "And I will carry her myself if necessary, kupo. I am willing to take the pain of moving her for the extra two minutes." He begins to tie her up efficiently. He has done such things before.

The dwarf is thankfully out of things, but she seems to weigh a small ton in full plate. As the others start to rig the tunnel with explosives, there's still no hint of reinforcements yet, but there's the faint hint of a whining drill, much bigger than the one the dwarf was wielding, but it's moving away, further into the tunnels. The epxlosives rigging goes without a hitch, ready to be discharged.

"We'll need to warn the Council," Dietrich says, waving the dwarf, the spiderkin, and the Lunarian back towards the rest of the group. "If *this* is how Rozarria wages war... seems we'll be needing to stay on our toes."

Maraxus helps set the charges without a word, having a idea of how to do it. Not a master of any sort, but knows enough about explosives to get by. He stays quiet, and after three minutes he glances to the others, "Two minutes." Which is a minute and a half before Zhgir shows back up. He turns around walks over to the fallen dwarf, grabs a foot, and starts dragging her out. "Moogle, she be wearing heavy armor, ye would na be able tah carry her. I canna not either." Nope the poor dwarf will have a few brusies when she wakes up. A glance to Dietrich, "Blow one tunnel, deh will make another. We flood dem, only way. We have a river, plenty of water." His voice flat.

"Is it wise to risk flooding *all* of the tunnels?" Tristania has left the guarding of the unconscious dwarf -- who will likely be in such a state for some time -- to Kupor, for now, so she may rejoin the others further down the tunnel where they are setting explosives. Afterall, he seems to be quite capable of keeping things alive. "Flooding out your groves' roots is just as bad as permitting rats to gnaw them. Worse, in my experience." She now takes the opportunity to present the drill to Grumm, once he is ready. "I believe the term for this is 'spoils of war'," she murmurs.

Grumm mostly just watches as the charges are set, only pointing out the best places. "I can no be sure how much will collapse an' we need ta get out o' here." He runs back to the rest of the group. "Quick, we have lil' time!" His eyes go wide at the possibilty of actualy having the drill and he glances at the other dwarf. "I....I'm no sure I should." He takes the drill anyway, cradling it in both arms, looking at it with a broad smile. "Maybe I just keep it safe."

It's a good thing the explosives are set to go off in a few minutes as it gives people time to get out. One thing is for certain: Rozarria is definately involved, and the first violent act has been a proactive one by Emberstrand. The adventurers make it to a safe distance with their captive just as the explosive charges go off, causing the tunnel to collapse and the ancient architecture above to shake and shiver before ancient dust filters down like a misty rain. All falls silent, the echoes escaping further down the Garamsythe Waterway.

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