Chapter 4: Red Cat Cave

Ripples flow across the surface of this underground lake. A rocky shore rings the water to the north, west and east, with passages leading off from each direction. You arrives in the western one and the northern one probably leading back to the room you came from. A wet, flat rock in the middle of the lake bears several long grooves, as though marred by claws.

A single blindheim is cowering in the eastern part of the rocky shore, probably frightened by the sound of combat. Igbork can notice another creature, hiding below the surface of the lake fifteen feet from the shoreline. He can't make out what the creature is.

Coming closer you can see the creature has the form of a female humanoid, almost elfen look, but her skin is blue and green. She looks back up at you with curious eyes.

Haitih is able to tell that the claw marks have been caused by some sort of large cat creature, though he cannot specify what kind. He can tell that they are decades old though.

Mantis-Grom, who focuses on the creature in the lake, can recognize it as a type of nymph, though he cannot tell what kind. Nymphs are a family of fey that take the form of beautiful humanoids with elven features and have a deep association with the natural world. They are generally good creatures, though they can be mischievous, especially if someone threaten their domain. You have heard of nymphs that have been corrupted though.

The lady swims to the surface and looks at Grom with interest. "You the ones causing all the ruckus?" she asks in broken Hallith, her voice soft and hard to pick up.

"I haven't seen any something," she says with a smirk. "But it could be the same something the blindheims lost? The hunter refuses to return it. I just want quiet in my cave."

"A morlock stalks the tunnels. He hunts the blindheim. Their squeals echo throughout the caverns for hours. Afterward, he comes to the pool to wash his hands of their blood. All I can do is swim to the farthest corner of the pool and wait for him to leave."

"I have spoken to the blindheims and he stole their crown."

"Please get it back so they can flee this place and escape that murderous morlock. They are such cunning and curious animals. They play in this pool and dance underwater sometimes. Less often now though," she continues when no one replies to her.

She points to the exit to the east. "I think he's holding up in there," she says. "Hope you find what you are looking for."