As soon as the Paladin touches his hands to the stone chest, using his brute strength to force the lid open — a magical curse on the dragon-adorned chest is triggered. From the mouth of the carved dragon, a gust of wind blows the blue powder of Frigid Woe into the air, swirling around Ragnus and clinging to the cavern’s atmosphere.
Luckily, the Dwarven man is the only one close enough to the cloud of blue powder, and he manages to hold his breath successfully. When the chilling powder settles, Ragnus can see the contents within the chest. A gilded scroll case, wrapped in a map of the cosmos. A statuette of a storm giant, carved out of jade. A quiver containing six +1 arrows. A silver ring set with a jasper stone. And, finally, Hulil’s wealth: 415 copper, 234 silver, 43 electrum, and 112 gold pieces.
After his moment of recklessness, Ragnus will carefully move the chest back over to the rest of the group. "Not sure if any of this stuff interests ya or if it will be useful getting us outta here."
"Ragnus," Taiga gasps, "Are you ok? You were in a cloud of blue dust." Taiga has finished to set up the hunting trap and is unsure if she should return and move closer to the chest or better not.
Carina shakes her head and blows out her breath through pursed lips, but the anger has gone out of her.
"Hulil told us that she trapped the chest with the blue powder from the vial. A disease trap that you just set off, Ragnus. I'm glad at least that you waited until none of us were close by to set it off so you only risked yourself. I hope for your sake that you have resisted it."
She considers for a moment. "At this point, since you have dared open the chest, I suggest we take it all. The relics and the gold. Hulil already wishes to kill us, and that was before we slew her acolyte Raegrin. I myself, in my opposition to her five-headed draconic goddess have defiled her religious cave art. So since you all insist on leaving her alive, she may well send every one of her bandits after us once she wishes to slay us anyway, whether or not we take her stolen treasures. So why not take them? The relics especially should be kept from unscrupulous hands and studied."
If no one else takes the contents of the chest, Carina waits until well after the cloud blue powder is gone, then sorts the relics into her backpack, unless anyone else specifically wants any specific items, in which case she does not hesitate to share the desired item.
For the coins, she divides them as follows, with the fourth (very slightly larger) share going to Ragnus since he opened the chest.
"Now, should I try to use my Minor Illusion, perhaps of a giant bat, above Taiga's trap to lure the giant croaker up? Brix, perhaps you can enhance the illusion as we tried before. Just to be sure we all agree, we are killing it, correct? Or does someone have a better plan?"
“I don’t want any of these items,”declares Taiga. “Who knows what other curses there lie upon them.”She moves slowly back to the group as it appears to be safe to do so. “We could try to charm the frog with bats. Perhaps it isn’t much attached to Hulil, and Carrie’s is back for a reasonable price of bats.Anyone willing to help me try that?” She glances to the pool, “Though, if we try that and it turns pear-shaped, I might be in trouble,” she contemplates. “I’d be willing to take that risk if it means we can avoid a fight but if you all think we have to kill it to pass, I will not press the issue and help. I really want to leave this cavern sooner rather than later.”
Lowering his head slightly, "I feel fine Taiga, but I guess we'll see if I've caught it. As I said, Tyr set me down a path, catchin' tha disease may aid in my atonement."
Watching Carina go through the chest, "Thank ya for carryin' those, if ya need tha load shared, just say tha word."
Moving back towards the pool, he'll stare out across it, "Let's try ta get tha croaker ta carry us, if it attacks, then we react. I'll help ya Taiga."
Together with their helpings of slain bats, Ragnus and Taiga decide to approach the dark pool — and attempt to appease the old croaker. As the Paladin and the Fighter reach the water’s edge, the giant toad looms out of the freezing pool, watching them with huge black eyes. Either of you can make an Animal Handling check with Advantage!
As Taiga reaches out with the offering of the bat in her hand, the old croaker slinks further out of the pool, its giant blue-speckled form dripping with dark water. Its shining black eyes focus on the treat in the Earth Genasi’s hand — its large, wet mouth stretching open as its slimy, pale blue tongue scoops up the bat.
After it munches down the creature, the old croaker blinks at Taiga before sinking back into the pool, leaving its shiny back open for the adventurers to climb on.
(OOC: We did, was going to move her to the far side of the fire, away from the croaker lake, and potentially tie her up, will just have to settle for tying her up where she is.)
Carina has a hard time believing that the giant croaker who has been tamed by Hulil is so willing to ferry the group of strangers carrying the dwarven priestess' bloody body back across the frigid pool with blood still fresh on the party's blades and hammers.
But, she is forced to admit, I do not know beasts well.Perhaps it does not care. I wonder where Elbert went? He would have had a better guess.
She will be the last to board the giant croaker's back and will watch closely for any treachery. If the icy amphibian submerges or attacks part-way across, Carina will use her Fey Magic to Misty Step to the other side and then throw her rope back to pull the others out.
Taiga leaves rations for two days next to the bound up Hulil before she mounts the giant frog's back. With a shy glance to Carina, Taiga feels that she has to explain herself, "Sometimes a small kindness can go a long way, and even if it doesn't do anything to better Hulil, it helps me to remind me why I'm here. I hope she will still be here when the militia comes looking."
The old croaker gently carries the adventurers back across the freezing pool of water, swimming patiently with the weight of the party upon its back. Despite the bound bandit leader that they leave behind, the giant toad doesn’t seem particularly affected — perhaps it’s truly appeased simply with the treat of the bat. Either way, it carries your characters safely to the other side, waiting at the bank for you all to step off. And once you stand on the cavern floor, you see past the tunnel to the bandit’s camp once again, the empty bedrolls arranged around the dead campfire. It’s quiet, too quiet — and leaves you wondering where the other bandits disappeared to, along with your Ranger, Elbert.
Brix mouth falls agape and his eyes go wide as Ragnus runs off the chest lid. He waits with bated breath along with the rest as the cloud disperses. So stunned at the bravery or foolishness, he's not sure which, of the paladins action that he remains silent through the whole ordeal. Once the cloud is gone he lets out a sigh of relief along with the others.
Glad that the warrior seems okay, Brix turns his attention to the items revealed within the chest. Not one to miss a pay day, the gnome unapologetically takes his share of the coin and starts to pick through the relics. He goes first to the ring. Rolling it around in his fingers before dropping it into a pocket for later. Seeing that nobody else seems interested in the baubles he will remove each one and look it over. He will continue to take out relics and stow them away until somebody expresses a desire to have a specific object. If no one protests or indicates they want an item he will take them all except the arrows for which he reluctantly for. Having no real feelings either way about the survival of Hulil, Brix simply removes himself from the discussion. His suggestion for her to live had simply been born of gnome pragmatism. So as the others work out their differences he pokes about the cave scraping up dollops of bat guano, bits of cave fungus, ashes from the campfire and stores them in his bandolier. His eyes particularly light up after he picks up a small rock and gives it a lick. He just finishes tucking it away when he realizes that the group has returned to the pools and he'll have to ride the toad again. He reluctantly shudders as he boards, only daring to breath once they've crossed the expanse.
Taiga searches through the bandit camp to see if there is any indication that someone was here during the time they were with Hulil and looks for signs if they left in a hurry. "I have a bad feeling. We must proceed carefully."
Carina had been placing all of the relics in her backpack, but seeing Brix's enthusiasm, she relents and takes only the quiver of +1 arrows. She too has no use for them, but she does not want any of the relics falling into the wrong hands and perhaps if the group can find Elbert again, he could use them?
Speaking of which, after getting over the surprise of the giant croaker ferrying the party across, Hulil's bloody body and all, Carina begins to look around for the missing ranger, or any possible ambushes or hazards.
"Yes I agree, Taiga. Perhaps either an ambush, or they have removed the beam that allowed us to cross the pool at the entrance. Or both."
Sadly, Carina's recent strong feelings about things have left her feeling drained and exceptionally unobservant.
Ragnus, go ahead and make a Constitution saving throw! you can add +3 for your proficiency in Survival
Beginner DM & Barbarian
((Rolled a 6 +3 Con = 9 (+3 Survival = 12))
As soon as the Paladin touches his hands to the stone chest, using his brute strength to force the lid open — a magical curse on the dragon-adorned chest is triggered. From the mouth of the carved dragon, a gust of wind blows the blue powder of Frigid Woe into the air, swirling around Ragnus and clinging to the cavern’s atmosphere.
Luckily, the Dwarven man is the only one close enough to the cloud of blue powder, and he manages to hold his breath successfully. When the chilling powder settles, Ragnus can see the contents within the chest. A gilded scroll case, wrapped in a map of the cosmos. A statuette of a storm giant, carved out of jade. A quiver containing six +1 arrows. A silver ring set with a jasper stone. And, finally, Hulil’s wealth: 415 copper, 234 silver, 43 electrum, and 112 gold pieces.
Beginner DM & Barbarian
After his moment of recklessness, Ragnus will carefully move the chest back over to the rest of the group. "Not sure if any of this stuff interests ya or if it will be useful getting us outta here."
"Ragnus," Taiga gasps, "Are you ok? You were in a cloud of blue dust." Taiga has finished to set up the hunting trap and is unsure if she should return and move closer to the chest or better not.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Carina shakes her head and blows out her breath through pursed lips, but the anger has gone out of her.
"Hulil told us that she trapped the chest with the blue powder from the vial. A disease trap that you just set off, Ragnus. I'm glad at least that you waited until none of us were close by to set it off so you only risked yourself. I hope for your sake that you have resisted it."
She considers for a moment. "At this point, since you have dared open the chest, I suggest we take it all. The relics and the gold. Hulil already wishes to kill us, and that was before we slew her acolyte Raegrin. I myself, in my opposition to her five-headed draconic goddess have defiled her religious cave art. So since you all insist on leaving her alive, she may well send every one of her bandits after us once she wishes to slay us anyway, whether or not we take her stolen treasures. So why not take them? The relics especially should be kept from unscrupulous hands and studied."
If no one else takes the contents of the chest, Carina waits until well after the cloud blue powder is gone, then sorts the relics into her backpack, unless anyone else specifically wants any specific items, in which case she does not hesitate to share the desired item.
For the coins, she divides them as follows, with the fourth (very slightly larger) share going to Ragnus since he opened the chest.
Share 1: 28 gold, 11 electrum, 57 silver, 106 copper = 40.26 gold
Share 2: 28 gold, 11 electrum, 57 silver, 106 copper = 40.26 gold
Share 3: 28 gold, 11 electrum, 57 silver, 106 copper = 40.26 gold
Share 4: 28 gold, 10 electrum, 63 silver, 97 copper = 40.27 gold (Ragnus)
(assuming 1 electrum = 0.5 gold, 1 silver = 0.1 gold, 1 copper = 0.01 gold)
"Now, should I try to use my Minor Illusion, perhaps of a giant bat, above Taiga's trap to lure the giant croaker up? Brix, perhaps you can enhance the illusion as we tried before. Just to be sure we all agree, we are killing it, correct? Or does someone have a better plan?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
“I don’t want any of these items,” declares Taiga. “Who knows what other curses there lie upon them.” She moves slowly back to the group as it appears to be safe to do so. “We could try to charm the frog with bats. Perhaps it isn’t much attached to Hulil, and Carrie’s is back for a reasonable price of bats. Anyone willing to help me try that?” She glances to the pool, “Though, if we try that and it turns pear-shaped, I might be in trouble,” she contemplates. “I’d be willing to take that risk if it means we can avoid a fight but if you all think we have to kill it to pass, I will not press the issue and help. I really want to leave this cavern sooner rather than later.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Lowering his head slightly, "I feel fine Taiga, but I guess we'll see if I've caught it. As I said, Tyr set me down a path, catchin' tha disease may aid in my atonement."
Watching Carina go through the chest, "Thank ya for carryin' those, if ya need tha load shared, just say tha word."
Moving back towards the pool, he'll stare out across it, "Let's try ta get tha croaker ta carry us, if it attacks, then we react. I'll help ya Taiga."
Together with their helpings of slain bats, Ragnus and Taiga decide to approach the dark pool — and attempt to appease the old croaker. As the Paladin and the Fighter reach the water’s edge, the giant toad looms out of the freezing pool, watching them with huge black eyes. Either of you can make an Animal Handling check with Advantage!
Beginner DM & Barbarian
(I roll but without mod as Ragnus’ mod is better with +1 vs. -1 for Taiga: 10)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
As Taiga reaches out with the offering of the bat in her hand, the old croaker slinks further out of the pool, its giant blue-speckled form dripping with dark water. Its shining black eyes focus on the treat in the Earth Genasi’s hand — its large, wet mouth stretching open as its slimy, pale blue tongue scoops up the bat.
After it munches down the creature, the old croaker blinks at Taiga before sinking back into the pool, leaving its shiny back open for the adventurers to climb on.
Beginner DM & Barbarian
"Excellent work Taiga!" Ragnus will pat the Genasi on the back, and move over to Hulil's body (5 STR check) and attempt to lift her onto his shoulder.
"I thought we decided to leave her here. But if you insist and it helps you, I can carry your backpack."
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
(OOC: We did, was going to move her to the far side of the fire, away from the croaker lake, and potentially tie her up, will just have to settle for tying her up where she is.)
Carina has a hard time believing that the giant croaker who has been tamed by Hulil is so willing to ferry the group of strangers carrying the dwarven priestess' bloody body back across the frigid pool with blood still fresh on the party's blades and hammers.
But, she is forced to admit, I do not know beasts well. Perhaps it does not care. I wonder where Elbert went? He would have had a better guess.
She will be the last to board the giant croaker's back and will watch closely for any treachery. If the icy amphibian submerges or attacks part-way across, Carina will use her Fey Magic to Misty Step to the other side and then throw her rope back to pull the others out.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Taiga leaves rations for two days next to the bound up Hulil before she mounts the giant frog's back. With a shy glance to Carina, Taiga feels that she has to explain herself, "Sometimes a small kindness can go a long way, and even if it doesn't do anything to better Hulil, it helps me to remind me why I'm here. I hope she will still be here when the militia comes looking."
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
The old croaker gently carries the adventurers back across the freezing pool of water, swimming patiently with the weight of the party upon its back. Despite the bound bandit leader that they leave behind, the giant toad doesn’t seem particularly affected — perhaps it’s truly appeased simply with the treat of the bat. Either way, it carries your characters safely to the other side, waiting at the bank for you all to step off. And once you stand on the cavern floor, you see past the tunnel to the bandit’s camp once again, the empty bedrolls arranged around the dead campfire. It’s quiet, too quiet — and leaves you wondering where the other bandits disappeared to, along with your Ranger, Elbert.
Beginner DM & Barbarian
Brix mouth falls agape and his eyes go wide as Ragnus runs off the chest lid. He waits with bated breath along with the rest as the cloud disperses. So stunned at the bravery or foolishness, he's not sure which, of the paladins action that he remains silent through the whole ordeal. Once the cloud is gone he lets out a sigh of relief along with the others.
Glad that the warrior seems okay, Brix turns his attention to the items revealed within the chest. Not one to miss a pay day, the gnome unapologetically takes his share of the coin and starts to pick through the relics. He goes first to the ring. Rolling it around in his fingers before dropping it into a pocket for later. Seeing that nobody else seems interested in the baubles he will remove each one and look it over. He will continue to take out relics and stow them away until somebody expresses a desire to have a specific object. If no one protests or indicates they want an item he will take them all except the arrows for which he reluctantly for. Having no real feelings either way about the survival of Hulil, Brix simply removes himself from the discussion. His suggestion for her to live had simply been born of gnome pragmatism. So as the others work out their differences he pokes about the cave scraping up dollops of bat guano, bits of cave fungus, ashes from the campfire and stores them in his bandolier. His eyes particularly light up after he picks up a small rock and gives it a lick. He just finishes tucking it away when he realizes that the group has returned to the pools and he'll have to ride the toad again. He reluctantly shudders as he boards, only daring to breath once they've crossed the expanse.
**This Space for Rent**
Taiga searches through the bandit camp to see if there is any indication that someone was here during the time they were with Hulil and looks for signs if they left in a hurry. "I have a bad feeling. We must proceed carefully."
(Investigation: 8)
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Carina had been placing all of the relics in her backpack, but seeing Brix's enthusiasm, she relents and takes only the quiver of +1 arrows. She too has no use for them, but she does not want any of the relics falling into the wrong hands and perhaps if the group can find Elbert again, he could use them?
Speaking of which, after getting over the surprise of the giant croaker ferrying the party across, Hulil's bloody body and all, Carina begins to look around for the missing ranger, or any possible ambushes or hazards.
"Yes I agree, Taiga. Perhaps either an ambush, or they have removed the beam that allowed us to cross the pool at the entrance. Or both."
Sadly, Carina's recent strong feelings about things have left her feeling drained and exceptionally unobservant.
Perception: 4 (natural 1)
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk