Attack in the Tunnels
The tunnels were damp and he could hear water ahead. Quietly he crept through the tunnel, knowing that water meant life in most cases. Peering over the ledge into a vast open cavern, Selds’eth spotted a small band of svirfneblin filling their skins in the freshwater pool. The deep gnomes were hastily speaking back and forth, their body movements showing nervousness. Seven he counted.
He slipped back into the cavernous tunnels and thought for a moment. Seven. Too many for him alone. They may be seasoned warriors. They may have one that speaks with stone amongst them as well. No, not alone. He removed his glove and retrieved a dagger from his weapons harness. Whispering a few words to his Lady, Selds’eth runs his palm along the blade. As the blood hits the floor of the tunnel there is a small red flash and a cloud of darkness fills the space. From that darkness steps an undead minion, a slave to the will of the summoner. A small smile crept across Selds’eth’s face as he replaced the glove on his hand.
The group of svirfneblin had finished replenishing their stock of fresh water and were preparing to depart when their journey took a turn for the worse. One of the deep gnomes shouted to the others as he saw the skeletal minion clamber over the rocky terrain towards the group. Instantly they readied themselves for the fight to come, gathering weapons and shields. As the skeleton reached the two closest warriors they found the true power of the summon. It swung in an arch with its halberd nearly cleaving the svirfneblin in two, spraying its teammates in a pool of blood. It quickly pulled the wedged weapon from the chest cavity of the first and came down and around the falling gnome impaling the second through the thigh. Then raking upward slicing through his chest, neck and face.
Selds’eth watched with glee as his undead minion tore through the ranks of the unfortunate travelers. He quietly slipped his blade from its scabbard as the skeleton laid waste to the third of the group, smashing it’s face with the shaft of his halberd...then bringing the business end down upon him as if he were a fell tree. The fourth called out to his remaining companions in a tongue Selds’eth didn’t understand. It didn’t matter his body language gave his emotions away as he yelled and stumbled back, adding distance between himself and the attacker from beyond the grave. In an attempt to save himself and his friends the svirfneblin threw the hammer he held in his hand toward the undead. It smashed against the skeleton's rib cage shattering several ribs, hindering the attacker.
Knowing that his minion hadn’t much time left upon this plane, Selds’eth conjured an innate ability of his kinsmen. Darkness began to circle and surround the remaining four. One of the gnomes yelled out a word. It was a word Selds’eth had heard before. It was the word for Drow in the deep gnomes tongue, and it echoed through the cavernous vault in which they defended.
The undead advanced toward its prey, pinning it against the jagged rocks that composed the walls of the cave. There it held the svirfneblin, with all its cries of agony…until blood gurgled from its mouth nose and ears. There was chanting within the darkness, the drow knew this wouldn’t end well for his minion.
With a loud crack the skeletons bones split and strained against the will of the deep gnome. It was calling for the aid of its patron. Asking his divine father to smite this abomination before him…and he did. The sound of bones splitting asunder rang throughout the cave as the undead minion exploded, shattering into thousands of tiny bone fragments.
Pulling a wand from his belt, Selds’eth warded himself the best he could. The magic from the wand surrounded him. He felt a tingling sensation as several images of himself split away from the original. Confusion would be his ally. Perhaps this would buy him some time before the deep gnome could call upon his god once more. Gripping his sword in one hand and his shield in the other, Selds’eth descended upon the remaining three.
The chanting started again. Haste took hold of the drow as he twisted his bracers while speaking a command word. The distance between predator and prey closed in an instant. Speaking another command word while concentrating on the one chanting produced a flash of purple light that enveloped the cleric. In mid chant the deep gnome began to writhe as his life force was stripped from his being. Aging him instantly as he withered to dust and crumbled on the floor of the cave.
A small smile of satisfaction crawled over Selds’eth’s face as his dove in piercing one of the remaining two through the chest as he desperately attempted to escape. The drow’s blade cut through his armor as if it wasn’t there, finding the svirfneblins heart ending its futile attempt.
“Yutsu ulu dosst delmah, neitar ulu yutsu.” the drow spoke calmly standing over the remaining gnome.
“Nindolen har'ollen ph'serus a ilythiiri, nind ph'naut whol dosst valyrin. TAKATA!”, he sheathed his weapon as the last of the travelers scurried away into the tunnels, never looking back.
Quickly and quietly Selds’eth gathered what gear and supplies he could from the bodies and packs of the fallen gnomes, then made his way back to Sshamath.
