Seeing the brightness ahead, I held out a hand signaling for a pause. Pointing to Ripley and Lowki, the three of us moved forward to scout while Tallos remained behind, an arrow ready to let fly in an instant. Using the same tactic we employed when taking on the group of dwarven sentries, I crouched behind Ripley, using her undead and heatless body as cover. The precisely cut passageway opened into a vast underground chasm. Gigantic-sized stalagmites and stalagmites, along with natural support columns showered the room. A naturally formed vaulted ceiling rose at least four hundred feet over our heads. Yet that was not the most incredible aspect of the domed cavern. Looking eerily similar to a dense redwood forest from up on the surface, the expansive chamber was inundated with massive mushrooms instead of trees.
Ranging in height from a squat five feet to a staggering three hundred and fifty feet, nearly touching the cavernous ceiling, mushrooms of all sizes dominated the scene. Vast umbrella-like caps stretched across the ceiling encapsulating the biome in a fungus canopy. Below the caps, thousands of paper-like veils hung, resembling rows of delicate curtains, and contained millions of spores that tasted thick in the air. Some of the largest mushroom’s gills looked like it was the maw of a giant sandworm about to devour everything in its path.
From the sheer abundance of the engorged funguses, it was no wonder why the silvern dwarves opted to utilize mushrooms as a crafting material. Doors and shuttered windows rested near the base of some of the largest stalks, making it clear the dwarves even went as far as using the colossal toadstools as homes.
We carefully hugged the edge irregular and jagged stone wall, doing our utmost to remain undetected. A slim proposition considering how much our body heat blazed against the cool mushroom stalks, several of which were pressed against the flowstone jutting away from the base of the cavern. As we passed around a short example of the hundreds of mushrooms, the spongy texture felt far cooler to the touch than the air in this magma-heated space. If dwarven eyes glanced near us, we were going to be easily spotted, or so I feared.
While dozens of burly voices could be heard in between the din of pounding metal, our enemy remained elusive to our eyes. I wasn’t going to complain about it, though. I could only hope we remained unnoticed for as long as possible as we scouted. We needed to know what we were dealing with.
Raging firelight bathed everything in shifting ruby radiance. While some of the mushrooms may have been different colors, it was impossible to tell against the perpetual red glow. Judging by the thin stream of smoke rising lazily, there had to be perhaps a dozen forges spaced out around the cavern without a discernable pattern with their placement. Though its fire was ever-present, we couldn’t yet tell if the forges were crafted structures or if the dwarves had somehow turned some of the shorter mushrooms into make-shift foundries.
Gazing up at the massively scaled stalks, a net-like pattern visible along the spongy surface, I would have thought the place a true wonder if not for its inhabitants. So dense was the forest of fungus many butted up against one another, in some places barely allowing space for a person to pass between. The diameter of the cavern was impressive, to say the least. Perhaps three to four hundred feet wide, which could fit two modern cruise ships resting side by side, it felt more like we were standing beneath a magically domed forest than an underground grotto.
Many naturally formed cul-de-sacs were visible as we steadily continued our short scouting expedition. Another interesting discovery was when we spotted a small underground lake perhaps fifty feet across off in the distance. Large gobbets of water splashed heavily every few seconds against the surface of the pond, falling from far above, and appeared big enough to have filled a small bucket. That answered the question of how the dwarves obtained water, though I bet they had to boil the spore-rich liquid.
Nearing the end of our planned sweep of the perimeter, we came upon several rows of stacked crates made from hardened mushrooms. Three rows deep and placed like steps leading up the cavern wall, each was as long as a person, half that deep, and three feet tall. The crates reminded me of army gun cases capable of storing dozens of rifles. Silver hinges allowed for the top to swing easily open.
Inspecting the nearest container, we found dozens of hefty arrow-like projectiles stacked in neat orderly rows. Its broadhead tip was fashioned from durable silvern metal and had a diameter close to the size of my fist. Just below the silver arrowhead, a cylindrical pod was secured right behind it with thick rubbery bands. The arrow shaft was fashioned from hardened mushrooms that didn’t have the normal spongy give to it. The arrows were stiff enough to be shot by whatever device was capable of holding the five-foot-long missile without concern. At the end of the shaft was a wide bowstring nock. Notably absent was fletching of any kind.
Thinking back on my numerous discussions with Tallos about his archery profession, the lack of fletching usually indicated that an arrow's accuracy was not a priority. Without fletching, an arrow would fly unpredictably when shot by a bowman. Considering the heavy point, the thick shaft, and the lack of aerodynamic stabilizing feathers, I believed I understood what the arrows were. They were ballista bolts and the ammunition of a siege weapon.
Picking up one of the bolts, it weighed close to a couple of pounds and was incredibly well-balanced thanks to the long shaft counterbalancing the heavy broadhead. The arrow shaft had a spongy texture, but only the outer millimeter of the mushroom material had any give to it. Beyond the top layer of the bolt, it was as dense as a wood equivalent. When I inspected the bolt, my eyes widened in shock.
{Silvern Explosive Ballista Bolt}. Fashioned from hardened mushroom stalks, this impressive siege ammunition has been enhanced to cause particular devastation against fortifications, buildings, and free-standing structures. Behind the broadhead rests an ingeniously designed compartment full of an explosive compound that will detonate violently upon impact. Quality: Well-crafted. Rarity: Uncommon. Type: Siege Ammunition. Durability 200/200. Attack Damage: 150-200. Speed: Very Slow. Effect(s): Adds 400 to 500 physical damage after detonation. 100% enhanced damage against fortifications, buildings, and similar structures.
Awestruck by the damage potential of only a single bolt, my stomach dropped at the implication. Moving my eyes down the line of crates, I found what I was looking for. Dozens of heavy crossbow-like devices were lined u, one after another. So many were present, I counted thirty-one until the line was broken as they curved around a distant mushroom stalk.
This was bad, very bad. We finally uncovered the equipment the raiding party would employ against the citizens of Mammoth, deadly siege engines with explosive-tipped bolts.
Approaching one of the devices, I ran a hand across a fat crossbow body held firmly secured to a hardened base. Beneath the base were several plump wheels which would allow for easy transport. Two long limbs, connected by a thick string, could be ratcheted back and looked capable of launching the bolts with incredible force. At the back of the device, a winch wheel and twin levers would be utilized to pull back the crossbow’s cord. From what I could tell, cocking the weapon would be a slow process and I couldn’t imagine it firing more than once or twice per minute. Still, the thought of thirty-plus ballistae firing explosive bolts was sobering. The devastation would be immense.
Judging from its size, each siege engine would require two, perhaps three, dwarves to move, operate, and reload. It meant Mammoth would be facing a force of at least one hundred subversive dwarves' intent on scouring the city from the face of the planet. Nothing would be able to withstand such an assault. Even the capital’s thick wall would be hard-pressed to weather a coordinated attack with these explosive bolts leading the charge.
Long dancing shadows appeared on the far end of the ballistae. Someone was walking towards our position. As silently as we could, we retreated to the tunnel where Tallos was patiently waiting. Seeing an inquisitive look on his face, I held out my hands asking him to be patient. Motioning further down the twisting exit, I ushered our group to retreat further away before discussing what we found.
In short order, we stood in a ring near the tunnel floor that had collapsed into the ancient lava tube below. Speaking in hushed tones to be careful to not be overheard, I described everything we had seen from our brief reconnoiter. Pulling one of the ballista bolts from my inventory, I held it out to Tallos and Stella. “I’m not going to lie, these things scare me,” I whispered, my brow furrowed in worry. “Just one of these would probably be enough to destroy a home, likely killing everything inside.”
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“We need to stop this invasion before they get to the surface,” Tallos said with urgency, his words bubbling with hostility. He held the large crossbow bolt and was repeatedly shaking his head in dismay.
Stella spoke up beside him. “They will probably take the same travel node we did, but I doubt they plan on lugging their siege engines up the ringed catwalk where Corm’s body was discovered. More likely, they probably have another way to the surface, some tunnel we aren’t aware of. From there, they could easily wait for nightfall and go untouched as they lined up the siege weapons without the city being any the wiser.”
“Any idea when they’ll be ready to move out?” Tallos asked, his eyebrows pulled close together and his mouth hanging slightly open. “How much time do we have?”
“I’m not sure,” I replied uncertainly, a blank look on my face as my mind worked the problem. “I think I need to scout more, but it runs a high risk of me being detected. There are a few lava fissures along the wall of the cavern, so I could use those to mask my body heat. We don’t know yet how many dwarves are in there. For all we know, the entire raiding force is present and could be minutes from departing. On the other hand, we may have several days before that happens. We need to find out.”
“Don’t forget you have those gloves that can hide your body heat,” Stella offered helpfully as she pointed to my bag of holding. “Its magic only lasts thirty minutes but it should be enough for you to find out how many dwarves are back there.”
It was a good idea and something I had been considering using since we first learned the dwarves had Infravision. My only hesitation was the gloves had a two-hour cool down between uses. Still, the risk of discovery was too great when we ventured back in. My stealth worked wonders in shadows but was far less useful to our enemy’s heat-sensitive eyes.
“Alright, I’ll use the gloves and take another look,” I said, solidifying my decision. “Everyone stays here. You too, Ripley. I want to minimize the chances of being seen and we’ve learned your body can still be detected in the wrong situation.”
“Thirty minutes is going to pass quickly than you think, so I’ll have a timer appear in the corner of your vision after you use the gloves,” Stella said. “Oh, and after using them, you can switch back to your blazeweave ones. You don’t need to keep them on after the buff is applied. Remember, your objective is to determine how many dwarves are present and how long until they intend to move out. Then, we figure out how best to proceed.”
“Also, if you can, try to find out where reinforcements might be coming from,” Tallos added. “I doubt this is the only way into the cavern. There could even be one of those silvern nodes somewhere. Knowing either could prove useful in our planning.”
Pulling the enchanted gloves from my inventory, I swapped them with my blazeweave gloves. As soon as the gloves touched my skin, it felt like I had dived into the water of an icy lake. The sensation passed after only a brief moment. Focusing on the gloves, I mentally prompted the special effect to trigger. A similar rush of cold flushed throughout my body, though far more intense than moments earlier. With the buff showing in my vision, the sensation did not dissipate or lessen. It wouldn’t for the next thirty minutes. My eyes caught a new timer on the left side of my vision. A buff icon beside it called the buff a ‘thermal cloak.’
Storing the frigid gloves back in my bag of holding and retrieved my blazeweave set gloves. For a moment, I admired the shadowy red cloth and the silver trim that accentuated its distinctive appearance. “I’ll be back,” I said in a serious tone before moving as fast as my stealth allowed down the smooth tunnel leading back to the dwarves.
While I would be invisible to their sight for the next half hour, the dwarves could still potentially hear me, or even smell me. There was nothing I could do about my scent, so I could only hope it wasn’t detected. Tallos, Ripley, and Lowki took cover and waited for my return.
With only a minute to spare, I came around the corner of the concealed passage. The apprehension and worry on their faces dropped at my arrival, changing to relief upon seeing me uninjured. In seconds, the buff wore off and warmth flooded back into my limbs. The sensation had not been painful, but it was wholly unpleasant. It was almost like I was transformed into an undead version of myself.
“Do you want the good news or the bad news,” I asked. Stella and Tallos shared a look before Stella opted for the good news. “Okay, good news. The place is not crawling with dwarves. From what I can tell, most down there are either engineers, craftsmen, or blacksmiths. Very few were decked out in armored like our minion friend… here...”
I trailed off, grimacing as my eyes found the once undead, now back to fully dead, dwarf splayed out unmoving on the cold stone off to the side. “Sorry about that, let me get him back up,” I murmured before intoning my undeath spell. After ten seconds, the dwarf regained his feet as if nothing had happened. Stella gave the dwarf a blank stare as if his simple presence offended her, before returning her attention to me.
“Back to the good news,” I continued. “There is only one other tunnel leading away from the mushroom-filled cavern meaning reinforcements can only come from a single direction. The other passage is on the north, northeast side of the cavern, flanked by a pair of giant mushrooms. Additionally, as far as I could tell, there aren’t any silvern nodes anywhere in there. I couldn’t scout out everything in thirty minutes, mind you, but there was no sign of others teleporting in.”
“That all sounds great, so what’s the bad news?” Stella prompted as she leaned back, hugging her chest. She was pretty anxious about the bad news by the look of it.
“Unfortunately for us, I spotted sixteen total dwarves, spread out among three different groups of silvern dwarves. A group of six are actively assembling more of those giant crossbows. From the look of it, they have perhaps a half dozen yet to complete. Watching them work, I’d say it takes maybe an hour for them to put one together. Another group of six dwarves are working at the forges though I wasn’t sure if they were making weapons, armor, arrowheads, or something else. Two dwarves from this second group were close by and wearing full-plate armor. Those two guards didn't seem to have a care in the world as they chatted away casually. Actually, none of the dwarves back there seem to be paying any particular care to their surroundings. There was no sense of urgency. I doubt any are expecting unfriendly company. Wait, that's some good news.”
“The last group consists of four dwarves who are actively creating more of those explosive-tipped bolts before transferring them into those weapon crates we saw earlier,” I recounted. “So, sixteen silvern dwarves, and only two look to have any serious proficiency in fighting.”
“Do you have any idea how long we have until reinforcements arrive?” Tallos inquired. “Do we have time to warn the city?”
“Unless something changes, I’d feel confident we have at least five or six hours which is how long I estimate they will finish the construction of the siege weapons,” I replied after thinking through his question and everything I had seen. “As for warning the city, I think we still have something like four and a half hours before we can use the node again. A problem we have is the main raiding force could show up at any moment but… if I were them, I’d probably wait until everything is ready before marching my entire army here. I think we should attack now, while they are unprepared and unaware.”
“But, if we have that much time, shouldn’t we return to the city and warn them?” Tallos questioned.
“I don’t think we should,” I replied as I bit my lower lip. “Remember the node goes dark for six hours between each use. That means if we do go back to the city, we’ll need to wait another six hours before we can teleport back here. Worse, by that time, the entire dwarven legion could already be marching down these tunnels. If that happened, we’d be stuck and have nowhere to run.”
“Okay, then how about we warn the city and then help them defend it?” Stella inquired.
I didn’t immediately respond, instead thinking through my reasoning. While both Stella and Tallos regularly followed my lead, the consequences of getting this wrong were too great. If this went sideways it could turn into a disaster that could claim hundreds, if not thousands of lives. I’d only go forward with my strategy if everyone agreed. “I don’t think we can allow the dwarves to lay siege on the city. When we were walking to the middle of Mammoth, we did see a good number of soldiers and guards, but they had no fortifications to help them withstand a siege, let alone survive thirty or more explosive bolts raining down at a time. Worse, the capital is too far away for reinforcements to arrive before the city is turned into dust.”
Not seeing a response, I continued. “If we did return and tried to help them fight the horde, I honestly don’t see how we could have any meaningful impact on the outcome of that battle. If we return, I believe it would result in our collective demise. That’s the honest truth as I see it. I believe we can do more, right now. If we are successful, we will have eliminated the dwarves’ ability to lay waste on the town. Without their siege engines, it would come down to dwarves versus men, and that’s if they elected to continue with the raid. This is a battle I think we can make a difference.”
I held their rapt attention. Within seconds, I could see in their eyes I had won them over.
“Let’s do it,” Stella said with Tallos nodding along. We were set. We would bring the fight to them and eliminate as many siege engines as we could.
“I take it you have an idea?” Stella asked.
I gave her a wink as I mimed an explosion with my hands. “Yes, I have a plan.”
Stella let out a long breath before rubbing her paws together. “Sixteen versus six, good odds I’d say.”
It could have been my imagination, but I could have sworn my undead minion raised his chin a little with his inclusion in those chances.
“I’d take those odds any day,” Tallos agreed, hope brimming the angular features of his face.