Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer Creatures
Frozen Sick
D&D Beyond Basic Rules
Basic Rules (2014)
Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
Sign in- Marketplace
Monstrous Compendium Vol. 1: Spelljammer CreaturesFrozen SickD&D Beyond Basic RulesBasic Rules (2014)Sign in to view your library & saved favorites.
Sign in
"Indeed, what can you do for us?" The noble drow quietly mutters to himself, but then steps forward to address the stone giant. "We believe we have found out the cause for the unfortunate incident earlier. Apparently a vile derro has been eavesdropping on you and collecting things from you to enable a derro savant called Narrak to corrupt individuals of your kind with demonic influence. Narrak is dead and his spy is in custody with Captain Blackskull. We hope this is good news to you and hopefully you will have no more trouble with the derro savants. We are about to leave Gracklstugh but we would of course appreciate any help you can provide us with as we continue to oppose the demonic incursion into the Underdark, maybe something to better battle these forces, information or items. Also, some within our group seek a way back to the surface if you have any information on a route for them to take." The noble drow finishes with some reluctance. He still had need for the others and found himself hoping there was no easy way to the surface that Stonespeaker Hgraam could provide them with.
Persuasion if needed: 17 Another roll if help is given: 21
Hgraam nods slightly and mentions the "dreamlands" (their version of the surface world) and that there are many routes to get there but none that he has traveled himself, only seen them in dreams. He suggests talking to the svirfniblin, the deep gnomes as they seem the type to explore the ins and outs of the Underdark.
He then says,
“Something evil stirs in the Underdark. The rock itself cries in pain and horror, and a madness creeps from the blackest depths. Pay heed to the signs surrounding you. A cave with two faces. Rock devoured, and the land overgrown. The pebble believes itself flesh. The earth rejects its wards, and the tunnels shake in fury. By these portents, you shall know of evil’s presence and of evil’s face. This is what the stones tell me.”
He calls his apprentice over, Dorhun, notes the party and mutters something. A moment later the apprentice comes back with a large polished crystal, about the size of Khessa's forearm and offers it to you all as a gift. "Keep this, you might need it someday." He then dismisses you in a curt but polite manner, taking his apprentice back into their caves to discuss things among themselves.
The noble drow accepts the large polished crystal and then bows with reverence. "Our gratitude knows no bounds Stonespeaker Hgraam, armed with your clear and insightful words and with this pretty crystal we are sure to stand victorious against the powers of corruption." Traydark says in a most polite tone but those who know him would realize his words are dripping with sarcasm. "We shall bother you no more Stonespeaker Hgraam." He continues and backs away, still holding the large crystal.
Arcana to determine if the crystal is magical in any way: 2
(It is the stonespeaker crystal but maybe it just takes a while to figure out what it is :) )
Khessa smiles at the drow noble's sarcasm - admitting he has his reasons... Watch out for 'A cave with two faces'? 'Rock devoured, and the land overgrown'? A pebble that 'believes itself flesh'? To an earth that 'rejects its wards'? Tunnels that 'shake in fury'? Certainly not the clearest indications she has ever heard...
"Well, come on Traydark," Khessa puts a hand on the drow warlock's shoulder "We have no idea where to find these signs... but they are signs so absurd that, when we see them, we will definitely notice!"
"And the crystal anyway..." the blonde arcane warrior decides to play down "Keep it still for a moment, dear... yes, just like this..." she starts arranging her hair, checking that she's clean and tidy "See? First of all we can use it like this... Do you know how much I missed such a tool? Do you want to try it too, Katryl?" she asks the genasi friend for a moment; then she speaks to Traydark again "Plus... Do you remember Demogorgon, who used to scare a lot of people just with his looks? Imagine if we suddenly put the crystal in front of him... To see himself reflected like this, suddenly, without expecting it, he could have a heart attack!" she winks.
"Anyway," the tall adventuress shrugs, "it's not the strangest object we carry around" (she thinks of droki's notes, the magic mushrooms, Pelek's hand, the ancient gold coin Shilmaer...). "And at least we know who we should ask for directions to the surface: to the svirfniblin, the deep gnomes. I'd say that after all it wasn't a wasted ride!"
"So, do we finish up some business at the Bazaar, retrieve Stool, and leave the city?" proposes Khessa "The Underdark await it's saviors, it seems..."
(OOC: At the bazaar we should sell the ancient gold coin Shilmaer, droki's medallion and Pelek's ring and split the money among everyone - also Khessa, now that she has a magical Greatsword, will try to sell her common Greatsword - in that case obviously the money it's just for her)
Khessa's Perception, in front of mirror, to see if she looks good: 4
"The reflected image isn't the clearest..." Khessa sighs "But I guess it's always better than nothing".
"Yes, a mirror to defeat the mighty Demogorgon, what an excellent idea." The noble drow mutters, handing the crystal over to the arcane warrior to use as she sees fit, ready to follow along with the plan.
(What mirror is she using?)
The sword is easy enough to sell, 10g, the ring, being magical, fetches a bit more: 50g.
But when you go to sell the medallion the shopkeeper recognizes it as belonging to the Keepers of the Flame, and is not something people are supposed to be carrying around. He alerts the guards who begin rushing to your position. What do you do?
(Oh, I thought the crystak was a mirror - a crystal mirror - it is a mineral instead. OK, got it)
Oh, nice! Just out of curiosity (before being arrested by the guards again) the person that recognizes the ring as magical is able to tell us what it does? (I thought it was a plain jewel, but if it has useful properties, we migh keep it instead...)
If the guards let us explain, we will tell that we found the item while on a mission for Errde. We did not know it was something not to be sold. They can keep it and give it to whoever it belongs to.
(Yes just a mineral crystal, but it is sparkly and shiny! You can make an arcana check on the ring if you like. To avoid being arrested make a persuasion or deception check.)
Ebzer will offer his help on the persuasion check by translating appropriately into dwarvish, complete with insults.
Katryl continues to follow along with the others. She will try and sell her shortbow as well when she notes Khessa selling her sword.
As the shopkeeper starts to alert the guards about the medallion, she takes a look around for a place to hide out of the way. (Perception: 14, if needed to find a spot. Stealth: 12 to hide)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Traydark would explain the situation throroughly to the guards, about how the team found the medallion during a mission for Captain Blackskull, showing his badge if necessary, and offer to return the medallion as they simply did not realize it's significance until now.
Persuasion if needed: 18 Another roll if help action is given: 8
Khessa declared about the same action... let's assume she gives help to her favorite drow 😉; take the 21
There are a few long tense moments between you and the guards, before an acolyte for the Keepers of the Flame shows up, one that had been there taking the egg back. A brief conversation ensues between them before the guards take the medallion and hand it over to the acolyte who then rushes back off. The guards then insist on taking you to the gates. On the way you can tell the eyes of the cityfolk are upon you as you are escorted out of the city. Once at the gates, the guards can give basic directions to wherever you wish to go next, take back the guard insignias, and shut the gate.
(Anyone who needed to sell or buy is welcome to do so before you all leave. 10g for the shortbow Katryl)
Once things are resolved, Katryl quite willingly heads for the gates. "About time we're out of here," she says very softly.
(Shortbow sold!)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Have we been able to discover what the ring is supposed to do? Just to decide if it can be useful to someone of us...
(Did you make an arcana check?)
"Yes, I'm not sure we will find other parts of the Underdark significantly more hospitable though." the noble drow says to Katryl as they turn to leave Gracklstugh. "So, Neverlight Grove next then?" He says, looking at Katryl, Ebzer, Khessa and Silas.