As Dyoken recalls, the statue sculpted from the mountain has an opening in her naval. You have to climb up the ladder to her hands and walk in. The ladder is fairly sturdy, but it would be best if someone held it for Luthok's sake.
Once you all decide to climb up, you see it is a long, dark tunnel that can fit two of you at a time, albeit a bit uncomfortably. The floor of this tunnel is smooth. Anyone without dark vision will have issues seeing. If you do have dark vision, you see that this tunnel goes on only about 45 ft and leads into a small room that seems to have a spiraling staircase. The walls leading in depict scenes of some kind, but you would have to stop and look for a couple minutes to get any sort of gist, let alone what it all means.
(I will be at work, but make any checks you can think of. Don't forget you have two more healing potions and 3 grenades... Assuming someone took the apothecary supplies.)
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DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
(Don't make too many posts past reaching the staircase, if you could!)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Merrick pipes up. "Hmm, a long dark tunnel. This seems like exactly the kind of place where we could all get ambushed by a trap and die in agony! Welp, no sense in all of us dying. Hows about I go up ahead, and I'll report back to you what I see? This reminds me of playing in the tunnels with Artin as a kid. Of course, back then, the scariest thing we could find was a gopher. I don't think we'll see too many gophers here. If you hear screams, it's hopefully not me."
If no party members object, Merrick will leave Applejack outside and starts crawling his way up the tunnel to the small room, trying to be as quiet as possible, and looking around. Edit: He'll grab a grenade just in case.
Merrick you walk so silently *you* can't even hear your own footfalls.
As you reach the end of the tunnel, right outside a square room whose main feature is a stone, spiral staircase leading up, you don't think to look up. Instead you are distracted, quite heavily, by a voice that seems to be whispering in your ears.
The voice is soft, feminine, but has a quality befitting a royal or a lady. She says to you, without echo, "Can you hear me, champion? Oh please, say that it is so. I seek to run out those who defile the shrine."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Merrick lets out a small gasp. "Um, me? I think you might have the wrong person. I'm not a champion. I'm just looking to help the girl that was kidnapped. There's some bad people. Are those the defilers? My friends and I want to run them out. One of them might be a champion. One is a Lord of zeroes! Are you going to incinerate me because I'm not a champion? Artin always said to watch out for magic. Oh, please don't incinerate me! If you do, can you wait a minute so I can send a message to my nana?"
Muireach sneezes for some inexplicable reason as he talks with the rest of the group, “Are you sure that he’s alright down there? He’s quiet, yes, but I almost expect him to come riding up the stairs on a boar, or something equally crazy.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"Oh my, no, my child," the voice seems to gasp as well. "I would never, my child, no!"
As she speaks, Merrick hears something else above him, a male voice calls out, "Marvin that you? Hello?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Luthok looks up the ladder and wipes some sweat from his brow. "Ladders. Why ladders, couldn't it be just an entrance on the ground like regular people make their caves?" He looks to Dyoken. "You better hold the ladder steady when I climb up."
When Muireach speaks up he shrugs. "Probably dead already, the little pipsqueak."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of Guilds
The Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & Ruffians Eira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors Expanded
Roland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
“A shame. How does one bury a halfling, anyway? I feel like you could fit two or three in an average grave...” Muireach contemplates for a moment, “Of course... they do live in holes, so that’s not too much different.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms- The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon- Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland -Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF!- Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Luthok sits down on the ground and leans towards one of the statues toes. "But not nasty, dirty wet holes like that one. Its probably filled with the ends of worms and oozy smells. Their holes mean comfort. Visited a halfling once in my youth, she already had breakfast but served me a second one just because I was hungry." For a moment Luthok seems to be in the middle of a day-dream about fresh apple pie and ale.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of Guilds
The Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & Ruffians Eira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors Expanded
Roland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
The daydreaming turns to a stern look towards the elf. "AY, shut up knife-ear. I almost died a few minutes ago, I am allowed to consider the finer things in life for a second."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of Guilds
The Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & Ruffians Eira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors Expanded
Roland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
You only see some light coming from above the spiral staircase. You don't see anyone, so you assume they probably don't see you.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
Merrick will wait a few minutes for the voice above to lose interest, then continue to sneak as far as he can up the staircase to see if he can take a peek at what's there.
"Told ya you were imagining things," Merrick hears a different voice say.
"Suppose you are right," says the first voice.
Merrick can make it about 3/4ths up the stairs before he feels he can't go any closer without getting caught due to his head peeking up. However, he sees there is torchlight and a trio of humanoid shadows.
Merrick hears some heavy breathing and wheezing.
"I'm getting a bit thirsty, mind if I take a break?" The first voice asks.
"Ugh, sure, leave me alone with this thing."
Merrick hears someone walk away, opposite of where the halfling is standing.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd[Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player] Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale Ru's Current Status
"Sure I'll hold the ladder for you." Dyoken offers. He stands by the ladder, and as Luthok approaches he grabs his pack and hauls the old dwarf to the top. Setting him on the level ground he adds, "That is what you meant, right?"
Merrick tiptoes back down to the room. He rummages around his pockets and pulls out a beautifully carved figurine, in the shape of a duck. The statuette is made of glittering silver, and is so lifelike with detail it seems almost real. He places the statuette down carefully and whispers a command word: "Confit"
The figurine unfolds its wings, and reveals itself to be a majestic mallard. It gracefully flutters to Merrick's outstretched arm. Merrick whispers: "Go outside, tell the dwarf, human, and elf that there are three figures inside. Tell them to be as quiet as they can. Two of them appear to be guards, and one has just moved away for a break. Tell them to hurry!"
The duck flies out on wings of sliver, to the entrance, grazing the head of Luthok who is perched on the ladder. The duck is so noble, so majestic, that the adventurers cannot help but gaze in awe at the mallard's grace. It opens its mouth, and begins to speak....
Meanwhile, Merrick gets his shortbow out and readies it updwards, in case his companions alert the guards above.
As Dyoken recalls, the statue sculpted from the mountain has an opening in her naval. You have to climb up the ladder to her hands and walk in. The ladder is fairly sturdy, but it would be best if someone held it for Luthok's sake.
Once you all decide to climb up, you see it is a long, dark tunnel that can fit two of you at a time, albeit a bit uncomfortably. The floor of this tunnel is smooth. Anyone without dark vision will have issues seeing. If you do have dark vision, you see that this tunnel goes on only about 45 ft and leads into a small room that seems to have a spiraling staircase. The walls leading in depict scenes of some kind, but you would have to stop and look for a couple minutes to get any sort of gist, let alone what it all means.
(I will be at work, but make any checks you can think of. Don't forget you have two more healing potions and 3 grenades... Assuming someone took the apothecary supplies.)
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
(Don't make too many posts past reaching the staircase, if you could!)
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Merrick pipes up. "Hmm, a long dark tunnel. This seems like exactly the kind of place where we could all get ambushed by a trap and die in agony! Welp, no sense in all of us dying. Hows about I go up ahead, and I'll report back to you what I see? This reminds me of playing in the tunnels with Artin as a kid. Of course, back then, the scariest thing we could find was a gopher. I don't think we'll see too many gophers here. If you hear screams, it's hopefully not me."
If no party members object, Merrick will leave Applejack outside and starts crawling his way up the tunnel to the small room, trying to be as quiet as possible, and looking around.
Edit: He'll grab a grenade just in case.
Stealth: 12
Perception: 18
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
"Very well. Let us know if there's any light further in before we light torches and blow our cover"
Extended Signature
Merrick you walk so silently *you* can't even hear your own footfalls.
As you reach the end of the tunnel, right outside a square room whose main feature is a stone, spiral staircase leading up, you don't think to look up. Instead you are distracted, quite heavily, by a voice that seems to be whispering in your ears.
The voice is soft, feminine, but has a quality befitting a royal or a lady. She says to you, without echo, "Can you hear me, champion? Oh please, say that it is so. I seek to run out those who defile the shrine."
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Merrick lets out a small gasp. "Um, me? I think you might have the wrong person. I'm not a champion. I'm just looking to help the girl that was kidnapped. There's some bad people. Are those the defilers? My friends and I want to run them out. One of them might be a champion. One is a Lord of zeroes! Are you going to incinerate me because I'm not a champion? Artin always said to watch out for magic. Oh, please don't incinerate me! If you do, can you wait a minute so I can send a message to my nana?"
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
"Oh my, no, my child," the voice seems to gasp as well. "I would never, my child, no!"
As she speaks, Merrick hears something else above him, a male voice calls out, "Marvin that you? Hello?"
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Luthok looks up the ladder and wipes some sweat from his brow. "Ladders. Why ladders, couldn't it be just an entrance on the ground like regular people make their caves?" He looks to Dyoken. "You better hold the ladder steady when I climb up."
When Muireach speaks up he shrugs. "Probably dead already, the little pipsqueak."
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of GuildsThe Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & RuffiansEira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors ExpandedRoland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
“A shame. How does one bury a halfling, anyway? I feel like you could fit two or three in an average grave...” Muireach contemplates for a moment, “Of course... they do live in holes, so that’s not too much different.”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
Luthok sits down on the ground and leans towards one of the statues toes. "But not nasty, dirty wet holes like that one. Its probably filled with the ends of worms and oozy smells. Their holes mean comfort. Visited a halfling once in my youth, she already had breakfast but served me a second one just because I was hungry." For a moment Luthok seems to be in the middle of a day-dream about fresh apple pie and ale.
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of GuildsThe Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & RuffiansEira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors ExpandedRoland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
“Why Luthok, that’s oddly poetic of you. Are we feeling a bit sentimental?”
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist
The daydreaming turns to a stern look towards the elf. "AY, shut up knife-ear. I almost died a few minutes ago, I am allowed to consider the finer things in life for a second."
Blixanix Glitterpain, Goblin Bard - In campaign: Ravnica, City of GuildsThe Soggiest DM - In campaign: Boats, Rocks & RuffiansEira Whitefeather, Human Sorcerer/Warlock - In campaign: Death Inspectors ExpandedRoland "THUNDER HIPPO" Wolfscribe, Human Bloodhunter - In campaign: Core City: A Play-by-post Adventure
Merrick flattens himself against the wall.
Does he see anything above? A loft, or a ladder or staircase?
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
You only see some light coming from above the spiral staircase. You don't see anyone, so you assume they probably don't see you.
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
Merrick will wait a few minutes for the voice above to lose interest, then continue to sneak as far as he can up the staircase to see if he can take a peek at what's there.
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
"Told ya you were imagining things," Merrick hears a different voice say.
"Suppose you are right," says the first voice.
Merrick can make it about 3/4ths up the stairs before he feels he can't go any closer without getting caught due to his head peeking up. However, he sees there is torchlight and a trio of humanoid shadows.
Merrick hears some heavy breathing and wheezing.
"I'm getting a bit thirsty, mind if I take a break?" The first voice asks.
"Ugh, sure, leave me alone with this thing."
Merrick hears someone walk away, opposite of where the halfling is standing.
(edit: fixed a typo, damn mobile)
DM: Adventures in Phandalin [Khessa], The Dread of Strahd [Darya], Dragons of Stormwreck Isle [Rook], Baldur's Gate Mysteries [4-Player]
Player: Oona in MO's Icewind Dale
Ru's Current Status
"Sure I'll hold the ladder for you." Dyoken offers. He stands by the ladder, and as Luthok approaches he grabs his pack and hauls the old dwarf to the top. Setting him on the level ground he adds, "That is what you meant, right?"
Extended Signature
Merrick tiptoes back down to the room. He rummages around his pockets and pulls out a beautifully carved figurine, in the shape of a duck. The statuette is made of glittering silver, and is so lifelike with detail it seems almost real. He places the statuette down carefully and whispers a command word: "Confit"
The figurine unfolds its wings, and reveals itself to be a majestic mallard. It gracefully flutters to Merrick's outstretched arm. Merrick whispers: "Go outside, tell the dwarf, human, and elf that there are three figures inside. Tell them to be as quiet as they can. Two of them appear to be guards, and one has just moved away for a break. Tell them to hurry!"
The duck flies out on wings of sliver, to the entrance, grazing the head of Luthok who is perched on the ladder. The duck is so noble, so majestic, that the adventurers cannot help but gaze in awe at the mallard's grace. It opens its mouth, and begins to speak....
Meanwhile, Merrick gets his shortbow out and readies it updwards, in case his companions alert the guards above.
Brunella Wildheart, Dwarf Barbarian,Tomb of Annihilation
Nyx, Fairy Cleric, Descent Into Avernus
Muireach thinks the duck is pretty, yet can never speak his true feelings. “Well, gentlemen, let’s be moving.” And then takes off sprinting!
DM - Elustran Days ~ Fate/False Revelation
Rex'aliha - Hoard of the Dragon Queen ~ Mozu of Worms - The Stormpoint Mountains ~ Muireach Maon - Shepherd’s Crossing ~ Crownsguard - Storm King’s Thunder ~ Gunnar Wayland - Boats, Rocks, and Ruffians ~ POUF! - Ex-Ravens ~ Pascal LaRoux - Long Road Dragon Heist