Whispering Vale Chapter 1: Disturbance

The Whispering Vale has historically been a quiet stretch of wilderness. The towns nestled in the Vale’s embrace have always offered peace and a respite from the road.

Now, the Vale has become home to shadows and misfortune. Travelers go missing. Towns are attacked unprovoked. Brigands and worse roam the forests and fields as they see fit.

One such town, Wahyrst, has been your home for the last few evenings. The townsfolk had put out the call for adventures, or anyone, who could help them. They’ve paid you five gold each as a down-payment. The story goes that ten or so creatures came out of the forest and murdered, stole, and burned what they could about a week ago. They dragged people, livestock, and pets back into the forest. They haven’t been heard from since.

You’ve managed to track the creatures through the forest to cave a mile or so away. The entrance has two human skulls mounted on either side. It’s pitch black inside.

What do you do?

Sel'Via gets to the entrance, looking over to Trethor.

"I am Sel'Via...I suppose I don't have as fancy of a title as you. Pleased to meet you, though."

The sight of the two skulls does not really bode well in Sel'Via's mind, and she can only wonder what is inside. Curiousity gets the best of her, and she gets on the left hand side of the entrance and takes a quick peek.

Neither of you find secret doors out here. Just this single cave entrance.

Sel’Via, you peek around the side of the entrance and you see a tunnel heading deeper underground. You also see a man’s boot laying on the floor of the cave. Even with your keen Elf eyes piercing the darkness inside, you’re not seeing any traps or danger.

Sel'Via scoots herself to be behind Trethor.

"I see a boot ahead in there but not much else. Someone who escaped, maybe?"

The passage is about ten-foot wide and varies between seven and eight-foot high. You can walk abreast as you enter.

The lantern’s light pierces the darkness as you step inside the cave. Nothing but the boot stands out to your keen eyes. There doesn’t seem to be any traps to speak of. As you approach the boot, you realize the severed foot is still inside. A pool of blood has spread beneath the boot itself. Further inspection shows the boot and foot inside have marks where it was bitten off the rest of the body.

You also find a bow and quiver of arrows laying on the cave floor. All of it is very primitive and clearly not made by men, elves, or dwarves.

And then you hear it. From further down the passage you the sound of over a hundred legs skittering over the cave floor grows. Before you have time to react, an elephant-sized centipede rears up in the lantern light.

Trethor, roll a d6 for the party’s initiative, please.

You all are experienced and ready. In addition, you entered the cave with caution. You’re not taken by surprise and are prepared to fight.

The party acts first. What do you all do?

Sel'Via also moves to the right side of the centipede, and swings down hard with her longsword.

Trethor, you cry out and bring you mace down hard, but it bounces off the centipede’s carapace. You do leave a dent in the creature.

Sel’Va, you bring you sword down, but the creature’s body moves out of the way of your blade with incredible speed.

Celvin, your crossbow bolt goes wide and strikes the cave wall.

Trethor, the centipede snakes around faster than you can track and brings its powerful jaws down on you. You back away just in time, but it still grazes you (2 damage).

It’s the party’s turn again.

What do you all do?