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"I can't imagine these two came down here by themselves. We should search their bodies thoroughly for any evidence of other infiltrators." Daveed said.

(Perception: 1d20+8=21)

"Lann, have you or your tribe seen anyone else like these two traveling through the caves recently?"

Epicette quietly helps out with the search (Perception 11+11 = 22)

the spores don't appear to be growing anymore now that the parent has died.

You find a magic scroll (spellcraft to ID), a potion(spellcraft of craft[alchemy] to id), and a few bags of gold on them. They are also each wearing a masterwork chain shirt. and have a glaive and spiked gauntlet.

Lann replies "We've seen some others like them in the tunnels before, but their presence has increased lately. They have some form of alliance with a different tribe of descendants- a bad tribe - that lives southeast of our town."

Anevia wrinkles her nose in disgust when Malorix mentions Baphomet, while Aravashnial cries out "ah HA" almost in victory. "We should bring the bodies with us so that the church can identify them" he says eagerly.

(Spellcraft for scroll (dibs): 19+9 = 28)
(Spellcraft for potion: 11+9 = 20)

Edit:
Epicette waves the scroll nonchalantly "Cause Fear," she said before pocketing it with intentions to feed it to her familiar later. "And Cure Light Wounds potion."

(OOC: I think only marty could use the mwk chain shirt since everyone else has heavier or no armor; and should probably give Dave the CLW since he has no healing + lower range than marty atm)
(also takes 2nd shirt for later if no1 else wants it).

"I highly doubt that any clerics will time to identify these bodies in the midst of the attack." Daveed answered.

"Let's take what is useful and be on our way."

"It's probably also too heavy to lug two bodies the entire way back to surface," Epicette said respectfully to Aravashnial, "although we might be able to take something of theirs for identification and proof..." (if Aravashnial shows interest, she describes both of their appearances/belongings to the elf in detail).

"Yes, corpses might be a bit cumbersome in our current state. I don't suppose anyone's good at painting?" He looks around, not really expecting a response. "No? Ah, well. We should keep moving. If that second group of cultists is up to something down here, it could endanger our new friends here, or cause even more problems topside than we have already. Or both."

Cernandlon inspects the bodies and replies, "Aravashnial, I don't think any of us want to be carrying those bodies for however long it takes us to make it to the surface. Maybe someone down here could vouch for our testimony? Gwerm, you're an aristocrat, does your voice carry any sway?"

"I'll corroberate that they were disguised as crusaders of Iomedae but nothing else that that theorist says." Gwerm says shooting Aravashnial a glance.

"You say you have a holy symbol? that and a suit of the armor their wearing will have to be enough." the blind elf says with a sigh. The group gathers the gear and moves on.

400XP to all for discovering the true nature of the crusaders. 4140/5000XP

After 15 minutes of walking you approach a 20ft diameter cavern with 4 mongrelmen standing guard. Lann walks forward and the guards greet your group warmly and let you past.

A small dark lake ripples in the center of this 200ft wide cavern. The walls and ceiling are aglow with thick sheets of luminescent fungi. In the center of the lake, over two dozen low stone buildings cluster on a rocky 100ft wide island. Lights glow in the windows of the buildings, giving the settlement and almost welcoming look. Rafts made of mismatched planks of timber bob along the length of a crooked pier at the lake's closest shore.

Lann and crew take you across the lake to the island and escort you to the largest building atop the low central peak. This is the home of Chief Sull, a bloated and unpleasant looking mongrel with one clouded white eye.

Sull listens to Lann's report before turning to you. "Thank you for assisting my scouts. You have done us a service and we do appreciate it. However, i must ask you how exactly you came to be in these tunnels and why you are here." he says clearly grateful and just a little currious.

"We fell down into these tunnels when demons broke through the wardstones topside and laid waste to Kenabres. We had no idea where exactly we were until coming across your scouts here."

"Good sir, we are crusaders, soldiers, and citizens of Kenabres. Not along ago, the demons of the Worldwound launched a massive assault on the city, and during the beginning of their attack, tremors, that you likely felt as well, tore apart the city streets. We were, for the most party, dropped down into the tunnels and have been trying to navigate our way back to the surface.

I know we surfacers do not have a history of treating the "Descedants" well, but if the attack is as vicious as it was when we were cast down here, then it will surely still need aid now. Any assistance you can provide will be greatly appreciated." Daveed finished, bowing deeply to Chief Sull.

(Diplomacy: 1d20+11=28)

"Thank you for you for being direct with us," Sull says, growing visibly concerned. "You see, Me and my kind may be seen as outcasts and freaks in the eyes of uplander, but our ancestors helped drive back the demons in the First Crusade. We want the demons defeated as much as anyone who lives above. if you're willing to bring word of us to the surface, we will stand with you to defend the city."

"Worry not, good chief. I am..." Malorix taps one of his horns. "...highly sympathetic to your people's plight in this regard. We will do as you ask, have no fear."

note post to speed other chars along: the town of Neathholm is small, just under 40 mongrelmen. no item will sell for more than 1k, and items up to 200gp have a 75% chance of being available (I'll roll when you propose).

Also available: 8x +1Arrows, a +1 buckler, a +1 Ring of Protection, and an Earth Elemental Gem. They also have a witch capable of casting 2nd level spells.

Gold found on the crusaders: 129gp, for reference: split among 5 PC's and 4 NPC's is 14gp each with 3 left over.

"I think the defenders on the surface would be elated to hear such an offer," Epicette returned a sincere smile (Diplomacy aid another 13+1 = 14)