Landslide

A day that started amazing has very quickly gone downhill. In part literally.
 
We went to check on the mysterious disappearances of cattle around Leilon. The first victim we spoke to was a not very helpful halfling named Brod Nitwickle who could mostly just point us to the already obvious large hole in the ground. Fortunately, Hurgh could identify the tracks around the hole as being from Ankhegs, which he described as large, underground, lobsters. Now having seen one, I'm not sure I agree with the description. And no lobsters I've encountered tried to melt me with acid.
 
The other two farms were only slightly more useful. Mary at the second farm had been legitimately overworked but the farm had been hit twice - both during the first night three days ago, and last night. And her useless husband "The Cheese" (hehe) didn't seem to be any help. The third farm was run by an old couple that seemed happy arguing with each other, but not very aware of what was going on around their farm.
 
All in all, we were left with very little information, despite Rupert being quite good at talking to these people. Farming village background, I guess. Ellywick even pointed out his superior knowledge of cows. I guess she considers something like an owlbear inherently cooler than a cow. Can't say I blame her. Not sure her telling the farmers that they suck at their job for not paying more attention helped, but she does have a point.
 
Two plans of attack were suggested as our main options: either we light fires and try to smoke the ankhegs out, or we wanted into the dark, damp, fragile tunnels were the monsters are likely hiding. Even before I sent Eye to check, I suspected there were more opening holes to the network than the three we had found and therefore it would be more useful to enter the dangerous area. But to know better, I cast an augury spell to get the guidance of the Raven Queen.
 
This is where things first went bad. In my eagerness to be right at the entrance for the spell (which was to make sure the spell focused on the right thing, not to be closer to Ellywick at all), I slipped on my way down and basically pushed Ellywick down the slope and mostly made it myself thanks to Rupert offering me a helping hand. Yup, that was embarrassment number one.
 
My Queen indicated that entering the tunnel was at least not a bad idea and so we progressed. It had been agreed beforehand that we should mark our path in order to find our way back, but we forgot to bring something. I suggested we simply place something on the wall as a marker and took out a candle. But I must have seriously misjudged how unstable the tunnel was because it instantly came crashing down on us, seriously injuring several of us in the process. Needless to say, the others were not impressed, and to make matters worse, Ellywick disapproved of me frustrated throwing the candle at the pile of dirt. Yup, I fail today. Badly.
 
I was almost happy to see the actual ankhegs when they attacked since I knew I could provide proper support during a fight. Unfortunately, I wasn't prepared for the showers of acid that could have taken me out before I got a chance to help... A couple of well-placed arrows and some sword cuts later, the creatures were dead and we got a chance to recuperate. And, I hoped, to get a chance to redeem myself.
 
Sometimes things are eerily familiar despite being different. I should appreciate the gift the Raven Queen has bestowed upon me because without her intervention I would likely be dead by now. Or worse.
 
We continued through the tunnels, killing another group of ankhegs on the way. With Ellywick looking badass as usual. I just hope it doesn't make her careless. Anyway, add some brute force from Rupert and elemental doom from Suffrax and the creatures were soon destroyed.
 
Once we returned to the surface, predictably at one of the other attacked farms, we discovered a symbol that had cleverly been hidden in the grass near the hole. Suffrax concluded that the symbol had likely been used by a novice but talented magic user to lure the monsters to the farms.
 
The farm we had ended up at was that of Brod, the halfling we had first talked to that morning. And who, it strikes me, mostly just talked to Rupert and Ellywick, despite me asking questions as well. And while we were invited in for tea (Rupert still seem to have some issues with the beverage), the reasons soon became clear. I've seen the looks before. The assumption that I carry with me the treachery that my skin and horns indicate. It was no surprise when he blamed the "devil children" who had moved in a couple of years ago.
 
It's sometimes hard to describe what it's like growing up when your very looks are enough to make most people pretend they aren't looking down on you, a lot of people refuse to talk to you and a few simply spit at you. So many just assume we tieflings are up to no good. We're sort of like devils, they assume. I tried to explain to the others... But even Ellywick felt the need to point out that many tieflings do end up on the wrong side of the law, or at least end up using people. And a lot of us do. Because when every other option seem closed by those who hate you for who you are, what else is there to do? That's the situation I was in after mum died. I used people and was the devil who endangered their souls. And Ellywick... out of all of them, her... That hurt. I prefer the monsters that just stab me or pour acid on me.
 
The family, a human father and his three tiefling children, seemed happy enough. I would have wanted to spend a little time with them, but we had an assignment and I was still reeling from the racism. And from my own experience just having dismissed, if maybe unintentionally so.
 
It soon became evident that the oldest child, Fayle, was the one behind the ritual to summon the ankhegs. He had wandered off during the night and he clearly recognised the symbol. The older of his two younger sisters, Rebekah, recognised it too, but she seemed more generally bothered. The youngest, Noksie, seems like a carefree and innocent as they come. I really hope she gets to stay that way.
 
Fayle was attacking the farmers who were threatening his beloved family. I didn't have anyone to love for most of the time I was at my worst, but I imagine that what he has done is gentle compared to what I would have done to save mum if I had the power at the time. He's pushed into a corner where hurting people and being that devil everyone says he is, is the only option he sees.
 
I suggested we try to just make him stop rather than take him out. Suffrax took me up on that and then some, wanting to send the kid to Calimshan to be trained as a wizard. He would get a second chance, just like I was given one at the temple. The others were a bit too eager to point out that the alternative was the guard and a probably unfair trial, but I'm really happy to be able to help. And we might be able to help his family too.
 
Letting the boy pack and the family say farewell, we headed back to the inn ourselves. Which is where I am now. Carefully watching Ellywick out of the corner of my eye. Trying to decide if I should tell her about my background. If I should tell her about what I feel. If I should simply make another offer to dance. Life is difficult and this beer isn't strong enough.