Hahahaha! Let's go find the others Ilwythe and see if one of those keys work. They either still have them, or they left them in the door lock. Hahahaha! We'll get the next chest that comes along! That one will really be impressive!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Daisy looks over Solitude's but her minimal experience in medicine can't determine the cause. "I'm sorry. All my healing is of the magical variety and I've spent my gifts for the day... So y'all know nothing about the dwarf that they sold off? He must have had something special about him if he was the last one of y'all captured and was able to sell him so quick?"
(Medicine 5, Persuasion 9)
The dwarf walks over to give the wolf a reassuring pat as Milo approaches. "Easy, boy."She frown as the Milo's comments. "Now why would you think we'd be treating this creature that way?! I've been doing my best to feed the poor thing since we let him out of the oven that he was locked up in." Her eyes, beginning to well up, look to Barakor at the offer. "I... I don't know. I think, I'd leave it up to him. What do you say, Barakor? You want to stay with me?"
"Oh, my humblest apologies, then!" the halfling hastens to say to Daisy "If so, I certainly do not want to claim rights on this poor specimen, who has had the good fortune to meet someone else who cares about him. As for the dwarf, they probably took him because he had been a prisoner for much less time than us - so he was much less tried by captivity. That stupid brute Mhurren Flick, alas, did not seem able to understand that taking so little care of prisoners greatly lowered his chances of making the prisoners appreciated by the buyers".
"In addition, it was clear that the dwarf was a tough one..." adds Solitude "A real tough s.o.b. and not one to lay down for anything. Just think that the Zhentarim had captured him after he had been badly wounded by a manticore! No wonder the buyer preferred him to Milo".
"Oh, well... Anyway, I wish you good luck..." Milo smiles, shaking first Nim's hand, then anyone who approaches him for this purpose "Both for your quest and for anything else life has in store for you! I am indebted to you and I hope to be able to repay you one day! I, then, am leaving... I don't intend to stay in this accursed place a single moment longer! And you, Solitude?"
The tiefling looks at everyone for a long time... Ardana, who hasn't spoken to her yet, longer than the others... then replies to Milo: "I catch my breath again for a moment, but you go ahead, don't bother waiting for me. We met here, we didn't have a common destination before... and we don't have it now either".
The halfing seems disappointed: "Are you sure? Maybe by being together for a while we'd be safer..."
"You would be safer, certainly not me!" comments, acidly, Solitude "You're not exactly... the fighting type, Milo. Speaking of which, why don't you recover at least the mace and the crossbow and bolts from a corpse? I have the impression that the corpses don't need them anymore, but which you might indeed! Do you now see what I mean, Milo? Well, so go and don't worry about me – it would probably make more sense the other way around".
Milo seems at first hurt by the other's words, but it's a matter of a few moments - then he shrugs and goes: "Okay, Solitude. Anyway, I wish you good luck too".
The tiefling, exasperated, yells after him: "The weapons!"
And Milo: "Oh, yes, sure..." he recovers the weapons of a killed Zhentarim and goes out of the way barred by the counter, climbing up and over it.
And just at that moment Clas, returning from the rest of the party, sees him.
(OOC: Does Clas want to say something to Milo who's leaving? Also, did he roll Medicine before—does he want to use that roll now to examine Solitude's leg? Or does he deal instead before asking for the keys and going back to the chest?)
"What did you say?!" Daisy shoots up. "A manticore...?!"She grasps Solitude by both arms "D-did you catch a name?! Was it Garlik!?"she asks, pleading for some good news.
Wishing he was in a bustling tavern, Clas spots a halfling in a hurry to leave. "Hold up! You must be Solitude, you're in such a rush to leave. Well met, friend!" Clas calls out with his bombastic voice, reaching out to greet the newcomer. "We're about to open a chest. It might have something of interest for you."
Turning his attention to Nimblestep, Clas smiles warmly. "Nim, do you still have those keys? There's a chest! A chest! That means ale!" he exclaims. Playfully pointing to the hastily tucked papers in Nimblestep's pocket. "Ha! I see you're working on our saga already!"
His eyes then fall on a female Tiefling sitting on a chair nearby. "And you must be... hmmm, I've forgotten. No matter, I'm Clas, well met," he greets her with genuine enthusiasm. Clas notices she has a bad leg and can't help but comment, "I've seen my share of wounds and how they're treated. I can help you with that." (OOC rolled prior medicine 19)
Suddenly, a burst of memory strikes him, "Wait! I remember now, you must be Solitude," he says, with a chuckle. Clas points to the departing halfling. "It's his name that I can't remember. Hahahaha!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Tarysaa will stay long in the kitchen to see what is in the chest and watch Clas as he helps with Solitude's wound(s). THEN she will explain that she is going into the throne room to try to fast sketch the image on the throne itself; detect any magic in the throne room and that suspicious wall we had first encountered. "This means you all can gain a short rest while I invoke and inspect... keep an eye and ear open though."
(( OOC: Do I roll for things or do my previous rolls kick in now? ))
"Here, sure! I seemed to remember Onion... It's not that he talked too much..." replies Solitude "But you're right, his name was Garlik instead! Did you know him? Was he your friend? A slaver called Snaketongue bought him - one who does business with the yuan-ti of Najara, it seems. Probably, with a good horse you could catch him long before he reaches his destination. Life is easy, isn't it?" she gives a bitter ironic smile "You just need to find a good horse".
Meanwhile, Clas jovially greets Milo and talks to him about the chest, but he declines: "Thank you, noble hero, but I believe that whatever is in the chest has been richly deserved by you and your valiant companions! It's enough for me to get away from here as fast as possible!" and he leaves.
Examining the leg of the tiefling, Clas, who has seen his share of wounds and how they're treated, immediately understands that a bone was broken and has welded together badly, so now the leg is slightly deformed and weaker. To fix things now, the bone should be broken again and subsequently kept fixed in the correct position so that it can be welded in the right way...
When the warrior comments, referring to the halfling by now already out of sight: "It's his name that I can't remember. Hahahaha!"
Solitude replies, scornfully: "In fact, it's probably not worth it".
In the meantime, it's easy to discover that while one key opened the door to the prison room, the other key opens the chest's lock... and, at that point, it's even easier to discover that the chest contains: 1500cp, 900sp, 40gp, a translucent striped red gem, an opaque gray-black gem and an opaque striated light and dark green gem.
After that, Tarysaa announces her exploratory and artistic intentions… (OOC: I'll have your previous rolls kick in now) ..and this is how, having just entered the throne room, the elf wizard, intrigued by a position of a candelabrum that seems to her slightly different from that of the others, realizes that it is possible to pull it, as if it were a lever.. and pulling it, she sees that a section of the east wall of the room turns on itself, evidently on a pivot, opening a new passage!
Clas says to Solitude. "If you ever change your mind, know that I'm here to lend a hand," he offers, offering a reassuring smile. "But for now, let's focus on the treasure and dream of the barrels and ales it brings! Hahahaha!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Hearing a grinding of stone that perks up Nim’s curiosity he rushes after Tarysaa with haste to see what she’s done. After stepping in the room and noticing a new exit that wasn’t there before he gleams with excitement.
”Wow great job Traysaa!”
As he turns to look at her he notices the gleaming from the chest and his eyes widen and pupils dilate. Greed gets the better of him and he tries to take the set of multi coloured gems and stash them without being noticed.
(OOC: Sleight of hand 25)
”I’ll alert the others to our find!”
And with that he rushes to the group to alert them to the secret room and discuss his ideas.
"Oh, yes! Yes!"Daisy gives the tiefling a squeeze. "I just knew he was too danged stubborn to die. That's my Gare! Oh, thank you! That's the best news I've had in months!"Her eyes being to fully tear for a different reason this time. "I knew I was on the right trail!" The dwarf hugs Barakor in her excitement.
Helper of Create a World thread/Sedge is Chaotic Neutral/ Mega Yahtzee High: 34, Low: 14/I speak English, je me parle le Francais, agus Labhraim beagan Gaeilge
Solitude seems almost embarrassed to see Daisy express her emotions so openly. "He must be a really important person, for you..." she gives a bitter smile "I'm glad. To me, on the contrary, not even those who gave birth to me loved me..."
(OOC: Najara is a large kingdom inhabited by a wide variety of nagas, yuan-ti, and lizardfolk. It lies along the northern edge of the Trade Way, northeast of Boareskyr Bridge and southeast of the High Moor. The Winding Water flows through these lands, and its other main geographical features are the Serpent Hills, the Marsh of Chelimber, and the Forest of Wyrms. They say it is ruled by a very powerful supernatural serpentine being.)
Speaking to Ardana, the tiefling replies: "Not exactly 'recently'… You are like me, you know how these things go. Everyone distrusts the likes of us. Someone has gone beyond simple distrust and decided to 'purify' me..." her words ooze sarcasm "for the good of my soul, it's obvious. Did that happen to you too? I quickly learned to keep myself away from people. And in fact, it's really to avoid contact with people that I was bypassing Longsaddle and traveling through the forest" she smiles bitterly. "But, apparently, that led to me meeting people anyway. And, of course, that led to people hurting me anyway. Damn Zhentarim!" she growls suddenly "Are there any left alive?"
Meanwhile, Nim struggles against her greed... losing (OOC: I thought Clas had taken the chest to the others, before trying the key - if so everyone can try a Perception check to notice Nim's shady maneuver; else only Tarysaa can).
Anyway, the halfling bard at one point goes to check what Tarysaa is doing in the throne room and immediately returns to report that the elf wizard has discovered a secret passage!
Ilwythe has no problem picking up the chest (OOC: chest that still contains all the coins... no one said they're taking any...).
And Tarysaa, without waiting for Nim or others, takes a look at the secret passage, finding a dark corridor (but not from her Darkvision) that leads north. It looks like a dead end, but against the west wall of the corridor, at two locations, both at the south end and at the north end, there is a lever.
PERCEPTION: 19 [ to notice Nim's shenanigans ] [[ OOC: Seriously? Even with a NAT20, I could not beat Nim's Sleight of Hand Roll ]]
Removing a torch from her pack, Tarysaa again calls on her cantrip, PRESTIDIGITATION, to ignite the torch; letting her slowly examine the floor, walls, and those levers. Not touching them (as yet) but attempting to discern how best to attack this 'puzzle'.
Solitude seems almost embarrassed to see Daisy express her emotions so openly. "He must be a really important person, for you..." she gives a bitter smile "I'm glad. To me, on the contrary, not even those who gave birth to me loved me..."
Speaking to Ardana, the tiefling replies: "Not exactly 'recently'… You are like me, you know how these things go. Everyone distrusts the likes of us. Someone has gone beyond simple distrust and decided to 'purify' me..." her words ooze sarcasm "for the good of my soul, it's obvious. Did that happen to you too? I quickly learned to keep myself away from people. And in fact, it's really to avoid contact with people that I was bypassing Longsaddle and traveling through the forest" she smiles bitterly. "But, apparently, that led to me meeting people anyway. And, of course, that led to people hurting me anyway. Damn Zhentarim!" she growls suddenly "Are there any left alive?"
"Solitude, I know what it feels to have a family reject you. If it weren't for my nanana, I don't know where I would be today. She couldn't prevent ... this (Ardana presses her hair down to her head so her shorn horns are more prominent, quickly to Solitude, then fluffs her hair up again) but she did make sure I had everything else I need. And now that I have left, I find that there are some who ... will not cause hurt. Helm will protect us."
"It was fate that brought us here, and that white arch ... we knew of this place from a seer's vision, that said this place held the key for the resurrection of the beloved of our employer. I don't think the Zhentarim had it, whatever it may be. We must finish our search of this place to discover what mysteries it might hold which might be that which we seek. After that, we can escort you safely out of this forest. There are many goblin tribes here, too, that we must avoid."
PERCEPTION: 19 [ to notice Nim's shenanigans ] [[ OOC: Seriously? Even with a NAT20, I could not beat Nim's Sleight of Hand Roll ]]
Removing a torch from her pack, Tarysaa again calls on her cantrip, PRESTIDIGITATION, to ignite the torch; letting her slowly examine the floor, walls, and those levers. Not touching them (as yet) but attempting to discern how best to attack this 'puzzle'.
INVESTIGATION: 17
HISTORY: 21 [ trying to put the pieces together ]
Tarysaa, perplexed by the two new recruits, begins to do what she has always been taught: think, reflect, deduce...
Even before entering, trying to cross-reference the various data on the position and presumed antiquity of the place with the vast knowledge of the history of magic learned at the University of Silverymoon, the elf wizard had examined various hypotheses. Now that you have examined the complex from the inside, a more precise idea takes shape.
For Tarysaa:
The symbol. The symbol on the throne. Tarysaa remembers seeing it somewhere else before...
Yes! It was a book about the studies of a member of the Harpell family. It was... It was... Kylth, Kylth Harpell. That human who had conducted studies to increase his powers by taking them away from extraplanar creatures. He had conducted most of his studies at Longsaddle (not unusual for a Harpell). And the time... 1250 DR, approximately. 250 years ago. Considering how time-worn the marble arch has been, the era could roughly match. This place has a good chance of having been a laboratory (or a study place, or a... complex of some kind), built by Kylth for his studies!
With regard to the levers, on the other hand, it is difficult, from mere observation, to deduce their functioning... Reasoning, however: if one had wanted to take the secret passage from the throne room... how could he have closed it afterwards (in order to keep it secret)? From inside the secret corridor. the throne room's candelabrum is too far away; there must be another way... So, perhaps, one of the two levers closes the passage. And given that a secret passage leading to a dead end would be of little use, perhaps the other of the two levers opens a new path...
The only way to find out would be to try… and there are no indications of traps or dangers… but even so… will Tarysaa dare to try?
Excellent work, Ilwythe!" Clas exclaims, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Let's see what treasures await!" He directs Ilwythe to carefully place the chest on the floor, eagerly anticipating its contents.
As the chest opens, Clas wastes no time dividing the treasure amongst the group. 250 copper, 150 silver and 6 gold for each of us, he says, handing bags of coins to each of his companions.
I see the gems are already gone! Hahahaha! he chuckles, noticing the missing loot. (OOC: Clas might not know who took it. But he knows what was there when it opened.)
With a warm smile, Clas then turns to the tailless Tiefling, handing her the extra 4 gold coins. "Here you go," he says, "For you."
After everyone has received their share, Clas continues the adventure! He follows after Tarysaa after hearing the news from Nimblestep.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Solitude seems almost embarrassed to see Daisy express her emotions so openly. "He must be a really important person, for you..." she gives a bitter smile "I'm glad. To me, on the contrary, not even those who gave birth to me loved me..."
Speaking to Ardana, the tiefling replies: "Not exactly 'recently'… You are like me, you know how these things go. Everyone distrusts the likes of us. Someone has gone beyond simple distrust and decided to 'purify' me..." her words ooze sarcasm "for the good of my soul, it's obvious. Did that happen to you too? I quickly learned to keep myself away from people. And in fact, it's really to avoid contact with people that I was bypassing Longsaddle and traveling through the forest" she smiles bitterly. "But, apparently, that led to me meeting people anyway. And, of course, that led to people hurting me anyway. Damn Zhentarim!" she growls suddenly "Are there any left alive?"
"Solitude, I know what it feels to have a family reject you. If it weren't for my nanana, I don't know where I would be today. She couldn't prevent ... this (Ardana presses her hair down to her head so her shorn horns are more prominent, quickly to Solitude, then fluffs her hair up again) but she did make sure I had everything else I need. And now that I have left, I find that there are some who ... will not cause hurt. Helm will protect us."
"It was fate that brought us here, and that white arch ... we knew of this place from a seer's vision, that said this place held the key for the resurrection of the beloved of our employer. I don't think the Zhentarim had it, whatever it may be. We must finish our search of this place to discover what mysteries it might hold which might be that which we seek. After that, we can escort you safely out of this forest. There are many goblin tribes here, too, that we must avoid."
Solitude looks Ardana in the eye for a long time. He seems to be pondering a difficult decision... Then, finally, he gets up and says: "I better go. Your quest... it's fascinating, sure... but probably also dangerous. What you're looking for, if indeed it exists, it seems to be quite valuable. I agree that it is unlikely those idiots of Zhentarim had it - it will be hidden somewhere and they have not discovered it. However, something like this is probably not only hidden, but also guarded. I don't know what awaits you. But I know that I need no more danger, for now. I will continue my journey; I have the impression that some goblins present less danger than what might be lurking here".
She gets up, still limping on her troubled leg, and in turn retrieves a set of weapons from a dead Zhentarim, as she advised (and reminded) Milo to do.
"Obviously," she turns one last time to look at Ardana "I hope I'm wrong and you won't be in any danger. But experience has taught me that things rarely go like this, for us Devilspawn. Who knows? Maybe, if one day you will become a famous and celebrated heroine, people will begin to look at us with less suspicion... Who knows, if you will become to us what Drizzt was to the drow?"
She then she turns, she walks towards the exit, in solitude... true to her name.
Excellent work, Ilwythe!" Clas exclaims, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Let's see what treasures await!" He directs Ilwythe to carefully place the chest on the floor, eagerly anticipating its contents.
As the chest opens, Clas wastes no time dividing the treasure amongst the group. 250 copper, 150 silver and 6 gold for each of us, he says, handing bags of coins to each of his companions.
I see the gems are already gone! Hahahaha! he chuckles, noticing the missing loot. (OOC: Clas might not know who took it. But he knows what was there when it opened.)
With a warm smile, Clas then turns to the tailless Tiefling, handing her the extra 4 gold coins. "Here you go," he says, "For you."
After everyone has received their share, Clas continues the adventure! He follows after Tarysaa after hearing the news from Nimblestep.
Before leaving, Solitude receives Clas' unexpected gift, the 4 gold coins.
The tiefling, for the first time since you've met her, smiles back sincerely (yes, not bitter, not distorted, not sarcastic, but sincere) and says: "I won't soon forget such a jovial and generous hero... and I'll give you a parting gift too".
Solitude gestures briefly and intones a formula in guttural tones... and at the end of the short procedure, Clas feels imbued with bravery - even more than usual!
"It won't last long..." the tiefling spreads her arms in a helpless gesture "but if something threatens you anytime soon, you'll have a better chance of making it out alive. So maybe one day we'll see each other again - and maybe have together some of that ale you so gladly mention".
After that, if nothing else happens, the tiefling exits as she was already doing.
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Hahahaha! Let's go find the others Ilwythe and see if one of those keys work. They either still have them, or they left them in the door lock. Hahahaha! We'll get the next chest that comes along! That one will really be impressive!
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Daisy looks over Solitude's but her minimal experience in medicine can't determine the cause. "I'm sorry. All my healing is of the magical variety and I've spent my gifts for the day... So y'all know nothing about the dwarf that they sold off? He must have had something special about him if he was the last one of y'all captured and was able to sell him so quick?"
(Medicine 5, Persuasion 9)
The dwarf walks over to give the wolf a reassuring pat as Milo approaches. "Easy, boy." She frown as the Milo's comments. "Now why would you think we'd be treating this creature that way?! I've been doing my best to feed the poor thing since we let him out of the oven that he was locked up in." Her eyes, beginning to well up, look to Barakor at the offer. "I... I don't know. I think, I'd leave it up to him. What do you say, Barakor? You want to stay with me?"
"Oh, my humblest apologies, then!" the halfling hastens to say to Daisy "If so, I certainly do not want to claim rights on this poor specimen, who has had the good fortune to meet someone else who cares about him. As for the dwarf, they probably took him because he had been a prisoner for much less time than us - so he was much less tried by captivity. That stupid brute Mhurren Flick, alas, did not seem able to understand that taking so little care of prisoners greatly lowered his chances of making the prisoners appreciated by the buyers".
"In addition, it was clear that the dwarf was a tough one..." adds Solitude "A real tough s.o.b. and not one to lay down for anything. Just think that the Zhentarim had captured him after he had been badly wounded by a manticore! No wonder the buyer preferred him to Milo".
"Oh, well... Anyway, I wish you good luck..." Milo smiles, shaking first Nim's hand, then anyone who approaches him for this purpose "Both for your quest and for anything else life has in store for you! I am indebted to you and I hope to be able to repay you one day! I, then, am leaving... I don't intend to stay in this accursed place a single moment longer! And you, Solitude?"
The tiefling looks at everyone for a long time... Ardana, who hasn't spoken to her yet, longer than the others... then replies to Milo: "I catch my breath again for a moment, but you go ahead, don't bother waiting for me. We met here, we didn't have a common destination before... and we don't have it now either".
The halfing seems disappointed: "Are you sure? Maybe by being together for a while we'd be safer..."
"You would be safer, certainly not me!" comments, acidly, Solitude "You're not exactly... the fighting type, Milo. Speaking of which, why don't you recover at least the mace and the crossbow and bolts from a corpse? I have the impression that the corpses don't need them anymore, but which you might indeed! Do you now see what I mean, Milo? Well, so go and don't worry about me – it would probably make more sense the other way around".
Milo seems at first hurt by the other's words, but it's a matter of a few moments - then he shrugs and goes: "Okay, Solitude. Anyway, I wish you good luck too".
The tiefling, exasperated, yells after him: "The weapons!"
And Milo: "Oh, yes, sure..." he recovers the weapons of a killed Zhentarim and goes out of the way barred by the counter, climbing up and over it.
And just at that moment Clas, returning from the rest of the party, sees him.
(OOC: Does Clas want to say something to Milo who's leaving? Also, did he roll Medicine before—does he want to use that roll now to examine Solitude's leg? Or does he deal instead before asking for the keys and going back to the chest?)
"What did you say?!" Daisy shoots up. "A manticore...?!" She grasps Solitude by both arms "D-did you catch a name?! Was it Garlik!?" she asks, pleading for some good news.
Wishing he was in a bustling tavern, Clas spots a halfling in a hurry to leave. "Hold up! You must be Solitude, you're in such a rush to leave. Well met, friend!" Clas calls out with his bombastic voice, reaching out to greet the newcomer. "We're about to open a chest. It might have something of interest for you."
Turning his attention to Nimblestep, Clas smiles warmly. "Nim, do you still have those keys? There's a chest! A chest! That means ale!" he exclaims. Playfully pointing to the hastily tucked papers in Nimblestep's pocket. "Ha! I see you're working on our saga already!"
His eyes then fall on a female Tiefling sitting on a chair nearby. "And you must be... hmmm, I've forgotten. No matter, I'm Clas, well met," he greets her with genuine enthusiasm. Clas notices she has a bad leg and can't help but comment, "I've seen my share of wounds and how they're treated. I can help you with that." (OOC rolled prior medicine 19)
Suddenly, a burst of memory strikes him, "Wait! I remember now, you must be Solitude," he says, with a chuckle. Clas points to the departing halfling. "It's his name that I can't remember. Hahahaha!"
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Tarysaa will stay long in the kitchen to see what is in the chest and watch Clas as he helps with Solitude's wound(s). THEN she will explain that she is going into the throne room to try to fast sketch the image on the throne itself; detect any magic in the throne room and that suspicious wall we had first encountered. "This means you all can gain a short rest while I invoke and inspect... keep an eye and ear open though."
(( OOC: Do I roll for things or do my previous rolls kick in now? ))
"Here, sure! I seemed to remember Onion... It's not that he talked too much..." replies Solitude "But you're right, his name was Garlik instead! Did you know him? Was he your friend? A slaver called Snaketongue bought him - one who does business with the yuan-ti of Najara, it seems. Probably, with a good horse you could catch him long before he reaches his destination. Life is easy, isn't it?" she gives a bitter ironic smile "You just need to find a good horse".
Meanwhile, Clas jovially greets Milo and talks to him about the chest, but he declines: "Thank you, noble hero, but I believe that whatever is in the chest has been richly deserved by you and your valiant companions! It's enough for me to get away from here as fast as possible!" and he leaves.
Examining the leg of the tiefling, Clas, who has seen his share of wounds and how they're treated, immediately understands that a bone was broken and has welded together badly, so now the leg is slightly deformed and weaker. To fix things now, the bone should be broken again and subsequently kept fixed in the correct position so that it can be welded in the right way...
When the warrior comments, referring to the halfling by now already out of sight: "It's his name that I can't remember. Hahahaha!"
Solitude replies, scornfully: "In fact, it's probably not worth it".
In the meantime, it's easy to discover that while one key opened the door to the prison room, the other key opens the chest's lock... and, at that point, it's even easier to discover that the chest contains: 1500cp, 900sp, 40gp, a translucent striped red gem, an opaque gray-black gem and an opaque striated light and dark green gem.
After that, Tarysaa announces her exploratory and artistic intentions… (OOC: I'll have your previous rolls kick in now) ..and this is how, having just entered the throne room, the elf wizard, intrigued by a position of a candelabrum that seems to her slightly different from that of the others, realizes that it is possible to pull it, as if it were a lever.. and pulling it, she sees that a section of the east wall of the room turns on itself, evidently on a pivot, opening a new passage!
Clas says to Solitude. "If you ever change your mind, know that I'm here to lend a hand," he offers, offering a reassuring smile. "But for now, let's focus on the treasure and dream of the barrels and ales it brings! Hahahaha!"
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Hearing a grinding of stone that perks up Nim’s curiosity he rushes after Tarysaa with haste to see what she’s done. After stepping in the room and noticing a new exit that wasn’t there before he gleams with excitement.
”Wow great job Traysaa!”
As he turns to look at her he notices the gleaming from the chest and his eyes widen and pupils dilate. Greed gets the better of him and he tries to take the set of multi coloured gems and stash them without being noticed.
(OOC: Sleight of hand 25)
”I’ll alert the others to our find!”
And with that he rushes to the group to alert them to the secret room and discuss his ideas.
Ardana sits next to Solitaire.
"Good to meet you Solitaire my name is Ardana. Did someone cut your tail recently? Was that what drove you into the forest? "
(OOC: persuasion 9 medicine 6)
Using PRESTIDIGITATION, Tarysaa will leave a colored sigil on the wall beside the candelabra.
(( You make a color, a small mark, or a symbol appear on an object or a surface for 1 hour. ))
Going as slow and stealthily as possible, she will move up the hidden passage. STEALTH 17
"Oh, yes! Yes!" Daisy gives the tiefling a squeeze. "I just knew he was too danged stubborn to die. That's my Gare! Oh, thank you! That's the best news I've had in months!" Her eyes being to fully tear for a different reason this time. "I knew I was on the right trail!" The dwarf hugs Barakor in her excitement.
(History 19 on Najara)
Ilwythe will pick up the chest dejectedly.
Helper of Create a World thread/Sedge is Chaotic Neutral/ Mega Yahtzee High: 34, Low: 14/I speak English, je me parle le Francais, agus Labhraim beagan Gaeilge
Dream of Days Lore Bard 9/Wizard 4 Baulder's Gate: Descent to Avernus (In Person/Over Zoom)
Saleadon Morgul Battle Smith Artificer 11 Tyranny of Dragons (In Person/Over Zoom)
Hurtharn Serpti Ghostslayer Blood Hunter 7 Spelljammer (Over Zoom)
Ex Sig
Solitude seems almost embarrassed to see Daisy express her emotions so openly. "He must be a really important person, for you..." she gives a bitter smile "I'm glad. To me, on the contrary, not even those who gave birth to me loved me..."
(OOC: Najara is a large kingdom inhabited by a wide variety of nagas, yuan-ti, and lizardfolk. It lies along the northern edge of the Trade Way, northeast of Boareskyr Bridge and southeast of the High Moor. The Winding Water flows through these lands, and its other main geographical features are the Serpent Hills, the Marsh of Chelimber, and the Forest of Wyrms. They say it is ruled by a very powerful supernatural serpentine being.)
Speaking to Ardana, the tiefling replies: "Not exactly 'recently'… You are like me, you know how these things go. Everyone distrusts the likes of us. Someone has gone beyond simple distrust and decided to 'purify' me..." her words ooze sarcasm "for the good of my soul, it's obvious. Did that happen to you too? I quickly learned to keep myself away from people. And in fact, it's really to avoid contact with people that I was bypassing Longsaddle and traveling through the forest" she smiles bitterly. "But, apparently, that led to me meeting people anyway. And, of course, that led to people hurting me anyway. Damn Zhentarim!" she growls suddenly "Are there any left alive?"
Meanwhile, Nim struggles against her greed... losing (OOC: I thought Clas had taken the chest to the others, before trying the key - if so everyone can try a Perception check to notice Nim's shady maneuver; else only Tarysaa can).
Anyway, the halfling bard at one point goes to check what Tarysaa is doing in the throne room and immediately returns to report that the elf wizard has discovered a secret passage!
Ilwythe has no problem picking up the chest (OOC: chest that still contains all the coins... no one said they're taking any...).
And Tarysaa, without waiting for Nim or others, takes a look at the secret passage, finding a dark corridor (but not from her Darkvision) that leads north. It looks like a dead end, but against the west wall of the corridor, at two locations, both at the south end and at the north end, there is a lever.
PERCEPTION: 19 [ to notice Nim's shenanigans ] [[ OOC: Seriously? Even with a NAT20, I could not beat Nim's Sleight of Hand Roll ]]
Removing a torch from her pack, Tarysaa again calls on her cantrip, PRESTIDIGITATION, to ignite the torch; letting her slowly examine the floor, walls, and those levers. Not touching them (as yet) but attempting to discern how best to attack this 'puzzle'.
INVESTIGATION: 17
HISTORY: 21 [ trying to put the pieces together ]
"Solitude, I know what it feels to have a family reject you. If it weren't for my nanana, I don't know where I would be today. She couldn't prevent ... this (Ardana presses her hair down to her head so her shorn horns are more prominent, quickly to Solitude, then fluffs her hair up again) but she did make sure I had everything else I need. And now that I have left, I find that there are some who ... will not cause hurt. Helm will protect us."
"It was fate that brought us here, and that white arch ... we knew of this place from a seer's vision, that said this place held the key for the resurrection of the beloved of our employer. I don't think the Zhentarim had it, whatever it may be. We must finish our search of this place to discover what mysteries it might hold which might be that which we seek. After that, we can escort you safely out of this forest. There are many goblin tribes here, too, that we must avoid."
Tarysaa, perplexed by the two new recruits, begins to do what she has always been taught: think, reflect, deduce...
Even before entering, trying to cross-reference the various data on the position and presumed antiquity of the place with the vast knowledge of the history of magic learned at the University of Silverymoon, the elf wizard had examined various hypotheses. Now that you have examined the complex from the inside, a more precise idea takes shape.
For Tarysaa:
The symbol. The symbol on the throne. Tarysaa remembers seeing it somewhere else before...
Yes! It was a book about the studies of a member of the Harpell family. It was... It was... Kylth, Kylth Harpell. That human who had conducted studies to increase his powers by taking them away from extraplanar creatures. He had conducted most of his studies at Longsaddle (not unusual for a Harpell). And the time... 1250 DR, approximately. 250 years ago. Considering how time-worn the marble arch has been, the era could roughly match. This place has a good chance of having been a laboratory (or a study place, or a... complex of some kind), built by Kylth for his studies!
With regard to the levers, on the other hand, it is difficult, from mere observation, to deduce their functioning... Reasoning, however: if one had wanted to take the secret passage from the throne room... how could he have closed it afterwards (in order to keep it secret)? From inside the secret corridor. the throne room's candelabrum is too far away; there must be another way... So, perhaps, one of the two levers closes the passage. And given that a secret passage leading to a dead end would be of little use, perhaps the other of the two levers opens a new path...
The only way to find out would be to try… and there are no indications of traps or dangers… but even so… will Tarysaa dare to try?
Excellent work, Ilwythe!" Clas exclaims, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Let's see what treasures await!" He directs Ilwythe to carefully place the chest on the floor, eagerly anticipating its contents.
As the chest opens, Clas wastes no time dividing the treasure amongst the group. 250 copper, 150 silver and 6 gold for each of us, he says, handing bags of coins to each of his companions.
I see the gems are already gone! Hahahaha! he chuckles, noticing the missing loot. (OOC: Clas might not know who took it. But he knows what was there when it opened.)
With a warm smile, Clas then turns to the tailless Tiefling, handing her the extra 4 gold coins. "Here you go," he says, "For you."
After everyone has received their share, Clas continues the adventure! He follows after Tarysaa after hearing the news from Nimblestep.
Never underestimate the power of a finely crafted barrel, my friend! It is both a vessel of strength and a symbol of resilience.
Solitude looks Ardana in the eye for a long time. He seems to be pondering a difficult decision... Then, finally, he gets up and says: "I better go. Your quest... it's fascinating, sure... but probably also dangerous. What you're looking for, if indeed it exists, it seems to be quite valuable. I agree that it is unlikely those idiots of Zhentarim had it - it will be hidden somewhere and they have not discovered it. However, something like this is probably not only hidden, but also guarded. I don't know what awaits you. But I know that I need no more danger, for now. I will continue my journey; I have the impression that some goblins present less danger than what might be lurking here".
She gets up, still limping on her troubled leg, and in turn retrieves a set of weapons from a dead Zhentarim, as she advised (and reminded) Milo to do.
"Obviously," she turns one last time to look at Ardana "I hope I'm wrong and you won't be in any danger. But experience has taught me that things rarely go like this, for us Devilspawn. Who knows? Maybe, if one day you will become a famous and celebrated heroine, people will begin to look at us with less suspicion... Who knows, if you will become to us what Drizzt was to the drow?"
She then she turns, she walks towards the exit, in solitude... true to her name.
Before leaving, Solitude receives Clas' unexpected gift, the 4 gold coins.
The tiefling, for the first time since you've met her, smiles back sincerely (yes, not bitter, not distorted, not sarcastic, but sincere) and says: "I won't soon forget such a jovial and generous hero... and I'll give you a parting gift too".
Solitude gestures briefly and intones a formula in guttural tones... and at the end of the short procedure, Clas feels imbued with bravery - even more than usual!
"It won't last long..." the tiefling spreads her arms in a helpless gesture "but if something threatens you anytime soon, you'll have a better chance of making it out alive. So maybe one day we'll see each other again - and maybe have together some of that ale you so gladly mention".
After that, if nothing else happens, the tiefling exits as she was already doing.