Chapter 2: Into Darkness

"Of course my friend. Rest well I will keep the first watch as you asked."
Passive Perception 15 but rolling also while on watch.

When Dustin's watch is over he makes sure everyone is tucked in and glad to not see anyone fitful.
He gently nudges Cemos to wake him for his watch being sure to be in plane view so as not to startle Cemos.

Cemos stands guard over the sleeping group as he walks back and forth between the light of the bonfire and his compatriots. As he marches his mind begins to fill with thoughts of his past and the decisions that have lead him to this point in his life. He remembers Jornheim and his fellow warrior priests, he starts to think of the event that lead him to leave the army and his home in search of a power great enough to destroy the evil that plagued his land.

 Dextel...the name berns in his mind like a hot poker. His pulse quickens and he begins to fill with rage. Just then the fire snaps with a hiss and draws the attention of Cemos. He stops for a moment to peer into the flames. As he becomes ever fixed on the dance of the flames they begin to take shape and in the heart of the embers he sees him...the necromancer Dextel.

Cemos is transported back to the day he lead squad of dwarves into the lair of the necromancer. He remembers the dead raising from their graves and subduing his men. His vision goes black and with a flash he sees his fellow dwarfs tied up in alter room. Some on the ground, throats slit drenched in a pool of their own blood and some Tethered to the altar itself, ready for sacrifice. He remembers freeing himself from his bonds and fighting his way through the onslaught of Undead and fiends alike, all the way to the footstep on the necromancer himself and then... a sharp pain at his side. He looks down to see the dagger of Dextel, thrust upon him right before he could make his final killing blow. He looks back just in time to see the coward flee. As Cemos falls to his knees he sees that all of his men have been slain, sacrifice to a nameless demon long since forgotten. As he slips into the darkness of his own mind the fire snaps again, a bright burning beacon in the dark. Cemos grabs the dagger on his belt, the same dagger that prevented him from killing the monster that slew his brothers and a constant reminder of his failure as a leader. The flames twist yet again but this time a much different picture stands before the dwarf. Slowly the flames begine to take shape to form the Visage of Dumathoin. The swarf god standing tall atop the mountain overlooking Jornheim,  pickaxe in hand and standing guard at the gates of the great city. The statue lifts it pickaxe to point it straight at Cemos. YOU KNOW THE PATH YOU MUST FOLLOW, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU MUST DO TO FREE THE SOULS OF YOUR MEN FROM THE GRASP OF EVIL. KNEEL BEFORE ME NOW AND SWEAR YOUR OATH.

Cemos walks toward the flame and draws his hammer. Dropping to one knee and driving the head of the hammer into the ground he exclaims.

I Cemos Frostbeard of the clan Frostbeard, sergeant of the Grand Army of Jornheim and Warrior priest of the mountain god Dumathoin  do swear now and for all time to follow the oath of devotion.I shall live my life by the tenets of honesty, courage, compassion, honor and Duty. I swear to hold true to these virtues so that they may lead me down the path of righteousness. I swear to root out all of the undead from my lands and strike at the heart of all those who would befoul the honored dead. I make this oath to you...God of the mountain and protector of the dead. May your wisdom guide me and my hammer point the way.

Perception check

Cemos quietly walks over to dustin to rouse him and with a shake he looks at the elf, shhhhh, cemos holds his finger up to his lips to tell the elf not to make a noise. He then points to the direction of the curtain. I think we have company. he wispers.

Dustin nods and retrieves his crossbow loading it.

Whispered to Cemos,"Should we wake the others ?"

Dustin will belly crawl and look under the flap of the armor.

Dustin whispers back to Cemos, Looks to be slaves, like we were. What do you think ?"
"I think we should speak with them, likely our own pursuers would think nothing of taking them to Valkenvelve."

Since they are a mere 45' away yes Dustin will wake the others.

After hearing about what's going on I agree we should speak to them. If they're still chained up they won't be much threat.

Bildaweer stirs and gets up readying himself for action

Dustin nods once to Fang, "Why don't you or Cemos speak to them I look a bit too Drow at the moment."

Dustin then realizes he has that mirror from Ilvara's chambers and looks to see if the ink and all wore off.

You look fine. I'm not good with words and most humans are a little afraid of me. I think one of you should do the talking. Unless you'd like me to scare them.

Dustin nods and slips out, "Hello Gentleman, and Ladies if there are any among you. You look to be in poor shape, how might you have come to such a state ?"