Gnome's OOTA Story Thread [CLOSED]

Katryl is curious to see what Traydark might discover with his familiar. She considers the discussion about their followers before adding her own thoughts. "My inkling is to have them stay here while we explore. But would they be any safer here than being with us? Let's see what our drow's scouting reveals and then decide."  She heads around talking to the scouts, getting their own thoughts on staying here versus keeping with the party. 

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Grax'xt perception: 17
Traydark perception: 10

 There is nothing in the nearby vicinity to provide much clue about anything, except that this particular tunnel you're standing at the entrance to seems rather old.

The noble Drow relays that the initial scouting of his trusty familiar yielded nothing of interest. "Let us stay together then." Traydark relents, ready to press on now, accepting the risks to the minions. The minions could be of some use of course and they could certainly be in danger even if they stayed out of the Wormwrithings, he only hoped trying to keep them all alive didn't distract them from their real objectives in these tunnels.

During exploration, the blonde arcane warrior holds herself protectively in an advanced position, ready, together with the infantry, to act as a barrier between any threats and the rest of the 'army'.

Assembling yourselves into a somewhat more streamlined order, you set out into the tubular tunnels of the Wormwrithings, alert to the possibility of danger every time another tunnel meets the one you're in, and having to change tunnels now and then quickly begins to bring on that itching fear that you could go around in circles and get lost among the tunnels. After a day's travel you are alerted to the presence of creatures coming toward you from a side tunnel, appearing to float along at a casual speed.

Since the 'visitors' seem to be approaching from a side tunnel, Khessa lines up to block the passage and nods to the big red-haired infantryman: "Olaf, here, next to me. If whoever arrives is hostile, must not be able to get past us".
"I am yours Khessa!" Olaf takes a stand, puffing out his chest "Did you choose me because I'm the most trustworthy?"
"Especially because you're the biggest!" the blonde arcane warrior winks "With you by my side, there won't be room left for even an ant! Plus, if those approaching are hungry monsters, perhaps they'll already be full after eating you..."
"It's nice to see your merits recognised..." Olaf mutters, playing along.
"You other bad4sses, when you're done sneering," the tall adventuress says to the other infantrymen "stay next to us, half on this side and half on that. You should be able to land a few sword blows on those who come in melee - and on replace me or Olaf if we are wounded and have to fall back behind our line" she suggests to the others "whoever else wants should be free to attack from range, from behind our line".

"Traydar," Khessa turns to the noble drow "if you want to bring your elemental into play immediately... then it could melt into the rock and attack the visitors by surprise from behind. Assuming the visitors are hostile, of course. But if you have something else in mind - or if you prefer to wait to at least know what's coming -  that's fine too... after all, we don't even know whether they want to attack us or not".

She proposes something like this:

_________________|    |___________________
Other Infantrymen Kh Ol Other Infantrymen
   Those who wants to attack from range
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As Khessa starts to position herself and the infantry, Katryl is not quite sure what is happening. With around a dozen people in between, she quietly speaks to the scouts. "Let's keep an eye on what's happening ahead. But let's move back a few steps and then make sure nothing comes at us from behind."  She gets them into position, giving a bit of space from the rest of the group in case they need to move back. (Perception: 21)

As their cavalcade comes to a halt, Lulu leans forward on her mount to ask the gnome, "Ye ken what's the hold up, Kas?" As she speaks, she directs her lizard mount up the wall of the tunnel until they're both upside down on the ceiling, prepared to go forwards or backwards as needed. "S'all a wee fiddly, bein' in a line like this," she says, her white fringe and braid dangling downwards. 

The firbolg twists in the saddle to check on Katryl and the scouts at their rear.

"Do not worry, the creatures approching are called Flumphs and unless they have somehow been corrupted they are most likely peaceful, and even if it turns out they are not they are not really dangerous, at least not enough to warrant prepared defensive positions." The noble Drow says with an amused smile. "I believe they are telepathic. I can approach and communicate with them." He adds, using the ceiling to ride past the line of defense to meet the approaching aberrations.

Khessa smiles at the noble drow, happy that he can once again put his experience of the Underdark and his qualities as ambassador at the service of everyone: "I know nothing about these creatures, Traydark, but it will be a pleasure to have a dialogue with non-hostile creatures. Perhaps they could also provide us with information about what we are looking for! Indeed, let's talk to them" and she remains at his side, curious and ready for his first contact with these beings.

'Did you hear that, Dawn, my friend?' the blonde arcane warrior addresses, excitedly, her sentient blade of pure light 'They are telepathic creatures, like you! Have you ever met Flumphs before?'

Horkas looks in wonder at Lulu upside down in the tunnel but still basically face to face with him! "Guess we're good to go for now, but your little lizard climbing stunt may come in handy in these tunnels!" He bats playfully at her braids, getting them swing back and forth...

The flumphs approach as Traydark investigates, hovering easily in the air. They don't stop as they get close but they do reach out telepathically: "Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts! So much evil down here! Bad demons! Bad demons! Only kindness will survive! Kindness to all! The only way good will prevail!" Unless you purposefully stop them, they will pass by your group within a few moments.

Quote from Culuril >>

As Khessa starts to position herself and the infantry, Katryl is not quite sure what is happening. With around a dozen people in between, she quietly speaks to the scouts. "Let's keep an eye on what's happening ahead. But let's move back a few steps and then make sure nothing comes at us from behind."  She gets them into position, giving a bit of space from the rest of the group in case they need to move back. (Perception: 21)

 

 It is just a group of 4 flumphs, they seem pleasant but also disturbed by what's going on.

Khessa doesn't want to force these curious little creatures, with their funny shapes and many tentacles, to stop... especially since, propelled through the air by the jets whose sound gives them their name, she would need to fly to block their path...

...However, the blonde arcane warrior tries to communicate with them: "Hello! I am Khessa and I too, like you, believe in kindness! Could you give some guidance to me and my friends? We're looking for some things here that you might have seen... and those things might help kindness survive! Tell them too, Traydark..."

[[ OOC: Trying to give Traydark advantage in convincing them to stop a moment and give directions ]]

When Katryl manages to see the flumphs, she is a bit relieved that it doesn't seem to be anything dangerous.  For her spot she continues to urge the scouts to keep their eyes on the route behind them just to be sure nothing is following. She stays put, waiting to see whether the creatures just simply pass them by. 

"Indeed..." The noble Drow says with a polite smile. "...we all...ehm...believe in kindness, but more importantly we seek to chase away those bad demons, but in order to do that we need to find, amongst other things, a beholder and a purple worm egg. You wouldn't by any chance be able to give us some directions?"

Persuasion: 10 + Luck: 7

Horkas, of course, is fascinated by these strange floating creatures and attempts to study them as they pass, even holding out his hand to let their appendages lightly brush against him as they pass. He thinks a hundred questions at one of them, perhaps the youngest looking one.

What's your name? How long do your people live? What do you eat? Are you inherently magical? Have you ever seen butterflies? How do you defend yourselves against demons and other creatures that may want to eat you? Do your people come in different colors? Do you fluoresce? ...on and on...

"Evil evil everywhere!" The flumphs respond. "Darkness upon darkness, terror over terror! Hate, envy, greed! There is only one way! Be good, be kind! Spread the word, near and far! Tell everyone to be kind! Only with kindness will we prevail!" It doesn't take very long for you all to realize that these good creatures have been at least a bit warped by the presence of the demon lords in the Underdark. They pause briefly by Traydark and Horkas, but then take up their thoughts again on conquering evil with kindness.

"Well thank you for those illuminating words." The noble Drow says quite dryly as the agonizingly pointless creatures floats on in their equally pointless crusade. "Alright, let's form up and move on." He adds harshly after a moment of getting past his disappointment over once more getting absolutely nothing from seeking help from others in the Underdark.

On the other hand, Horkas giggles when the flumph's long tentacles drift over his hand and arm. "They tickle!" he exclaims in glee.

Still, though, they had a demon army to defeat, and so the artificer composes himself and sets off with the rest of underdark army.