(OOC - None of the NPC's took the shortsword from El)
As you're all stood at the fork in the road Shuushar hears Gnarls and Shishakli talking and walks forwards "Good that you know your way down here it is. A direction and location, decide we must"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
El has a deck of cards in their hands and has been playing with them, a small piece of wood that they appear to be carving or one of their instruments for most of the journey so far. Currently El is making cards appear and disappear in various places without any obvious use of magic and ever once in a while a card will fly dramatically out of the deck or an outstretched hand to be caught in the other.
El is just catching another card when they hear this and they nearly drop it, making a quick fumble as it falls and catching it just before it touches the ground. El quickly puts away the cards and says, "We might wanna pick up the pace or do something to lose them. Shishakli, any ideas on how we might be able to use the Underdark against them?" hushed but urgently. (If stool is nearby/has renewed the telepathic spores this will be said telepathically)
OoC: El will take the sheath which is now on the right side of their belt, opposite their longsword. Also are there any branching tunnels nearby?
(OOC - It’s safe to say that if Stool is with the party, he’ll be letting out his spores every hour for everyone to talk. There is a fork in the passage. One way leads to the left, and one carries on going straight on)
Gnarls, completely out of his environment and comfort zone, follows along trying to make sense of the tunnels. "Shishakli, how did someone like yourself get captured by the Drow? It seems we are as one now, and I would like to know more of those I am entrusting my life to"
Shishakli sighs and says "I spend a lot of time just exploring and mostly keeping to myself down here. Occasionally I'll get a bit of coin to escort someone, or something, since I'm rather familiar with the areas, and know most of the dangers to expect here. Last week... has it only been a week?" he adds, mostly to himself "I was picking some herbs, and tracking something unnatural, but must have been too focused on my tracking. Suddenly I felt a sting in my neck, and the next thing I knew I was in the cave with the rest of you." Taking a deep breath he adds "This will not. happen again!" the last line said more perhaps for his own confidence in his skills than the others. He then asks "And what of you my strong friend? What things kept you busy before finding yourself so far from home?"
"I belong to the Uthgardt, Great Wyrm tribe. I had been their slave since I was a boy, raised as a gladiator for their sport. Over the years I win them over, and they me. We had just completed a ritual, annointing me as a member of the tribe, no longer a slave, when we were savaged by a Drow raiding party. We were shamefully caught unaware and they slaughtered us. I believe I am all that remains of the Great Wyrm tribe."
Gnarls rubs the tattoo, clearly fresh on his right arm. You can see a mournful expression cross his face.
Hearing the voices behind them sets Cyndral's hair on end, and he quietly pulls his blade and begins moving at a brisker pace, gesturing and lightly urging on anyone he comes into contact with as he does, letting Stool's spores silently carry his warning. "We are not safe yet, friends. Our captors still dog our heels. We need to move fast, I don't know how far behind they are, but the tunnels likely carry our voices as well as theirs."
El moves to where Shishakli and Gnarls have been talking. "Sorry to interrupt but we really gotta a choose a direction, any ideas on the best way to go from here? I'm pretty easy since I'm used to travelling so the destination isn't important, where's the closest place we can get a good nights rest?" While they talk El rummages in their pack, searching for something.
OoC: Would I be able to useprestidigitationto leave an object behind (create a non-magical trinket that can fit in your hand) or does it have to stay within a certain distance of the caster? Also how wide are each of the tunnels?
Cyndral, still at the back of the herd, turns his attention to trying to hide their passing. Even in this craggy passage, a group this large leaves a bit of a trail, and the inexperienced half-drow finds himself struggling to conceal it. Deciding that his time would be better spent fleeing than struggling to disguise their path, he dashes a bit to rejoin the main bulk of the party, continuing to silently chatter along the telepathic line. Trying his best to be assertive and not just pose the question of direction for a third time in a day, he instead offers a suggestion.
"Shuushar has mentioned in the prison that we are near his home. It may not be our last stop, but I would think any chance to better equip or prepare ourselves for the journey ahead would be good. Perhaps we should head that way?"
(OOC: Trying to hide our passage is just for narrative, I know we can't use Stealth at a fast pace.)
(OOC - if you’re casting on an object then you can leave the object behind with an effect on it that will last an hour. Passageways are currently just over 10ft wide)
"Hmm, yeah. Sounds good to me, which way is that one?"Half paying attention to the answer El takes one of their stolen daggers and tears of a piece of cloth from their tunic. They set to work on using both their magic and some of their own blood, reopening the wound on their finger from casting Bane.
Once the direction is decided El will flick the blood from their finger on the ground in the general area of the opposite tunnel and let some soak into the cloth as well. Using Prestidigitation they increase the amount on the cloth and add some to the dagger before leaving both in visible but not obvious spots in the opposite tunnel and covering them with some dirt, though not enough to hide them, just to make it believable that they were there unintentionally.
Additionally El uses one of their flasks of oil to cover a large rock (provided their is one) and splashes the remainder around a bit. Then El will create the smell of blood and burning flesh in the area. While going around the tunnel El will scuff the ground and add as many tracks as possible in and around it then light the oil with a snap of their fingers (technically and instantaneous effect but it's just for effect, it makes no difference to me if El has to use a flint or something).
"Hopefully this will throw them off our scent for the time being, anyone got an idea to cover our real tracks?"
OoC: I'm going by this; "If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action." but if I misinterpreted it then I'm happy for someone to help speed it up or to take multiple turns for all of this as it is a lot of action/bonus action type stuff.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tobias marches up from the back of the line. "We cannot take this much time making a choice. If no one is confident in their direction down here...,"the half-orc glances down the two paths then after a "careful" moment of deliberation points to (Even/Straight, Odd/Left 15) the branch to the left. "Let's go that way. Our captors will be on our heels in no time."
El begins to prepare their magic to try and confuse their pursuers as Tobias uses his judgment and hopeful guidance to decide which path he thinks the group should move down.
Verim gestures towards Tobias in an agreeable manor as he trudges ahead at a quickened pace, using his shield as the light source for others to follow, he looks at El and nods his head in a thankful manor
Verim will allow those who know the tunnels to push ahead but allow space and an Eldritch blast ready in his hand, he looks towards Cyndral
“We will certainly find shelter or a place to rest soon, yes a quickened pace is needed, if we get our bearings right I should imagine Mystra will be find in leading us back to Shuushar’s home, right Shuushar?
(OOC - None of the NPC's took the shortsword from El)
As you're all stood at the fork in the road Shuushar hears Gnarls and Shishakli talking and walks forwards "Good that you know your way down here it is. A direction and location, decide we must"
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
OoC: would I be allowed to retroactively pick up the scabbard/sheath or not take the sword?
El has a deck of cards in their hands and has been playing with them, a small piece of wood that they appear to be carving or one of their instruments for most of the journey so far. Currently El is making cards appear and disappear in various places without any obvious use of magic and ever once in a while a card will fly dramatically out of the deck or an outstretched hand to be caught in the other.
Sleight of Hand: 24
(OOC - El can take the sheath or drop the sword. It’s up to you)
As El preform, Shishakli watches but can’t seem to work out what is happening.
You can all hear shouting echoing down the passageways behind you “I think they went this way” “Well what are you waiting for? Get after them!”
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
El is just catching another card when they hear this and they nearly drop it, making a quick fumble as it falls and catching it just before it touches the ground. El quickly puts away the cards and says, "We might wanna pick up the pace or do something to lose them. Shishakli, any ideas on how we might be able to use the Underdark against them?" hushed but urgently. (If stool is nearby/has renewed the telepathic spores this will be said telepathically)
OoC: El will take the sheath which is now on the right side of their belt, opposite their longsword. Also are there any branching tunnels nearby?
(OOC - It’s safe to say that if Stool is with the party, he’ll be letting out his spores every hour for everyone to talk. There is a fork in the passage. One way leads to the left, and one carries on going straight on)
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
"I belong to the Uthgardt, Great Wyrm tribe. I had been their slave since I was a boy, raised as a gladiator for their sport. Over the years I win them over, and they me. We had just completed a ritual, annointing me as a member of the tribe, no longer a slave, when we were savaged by a Drow raiding party. We were shamefully caught unaware and they slaughtered us. I believe I am all that remains of the Great Wyrm tribe."
Gnarls rubs the tattoo, clearly fresh on his right arm. You can see a mournful expression cross his face.
Hearing the voices behind them sets Cyndral's hair on end, and he quietly pulls his blade and begins moving at a brisker pace, gesturing and lightly urging on anyone he comes into contact with as he does, letting Stool's spores silently carry his warning. "We are not safe yet, friends. Our captors still dog our heels. We need to move fast, I don't know how far behind they are, but the tunnels likely carry our voices as well as theirs."
Want more of my nonsense? Head over to https://bloodonthevine.podbean.com/ to listen to my DMing!
You hear Buppido “Quick! What’s the hold up down there? Are we going left or straight on?”
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
El moves to where Shishakli and Gnarls have been talking. "Sorry to interrupt but we really gotta a choose a direction, any ideas on the best way to go from here? I'm pretty easy since I'm used to travelling so the destination isn't important, where's the closest place we can get a good nights rest?" While they talk El rummages in their pack, searching for something.
OoC: Would I be able to use prestidigitation to leave an object behind (create a non-magical trinket that can fit in your hand) or does it have to stay within a certain distance of the caster? Also how wide are each of the tunnels?
Cyndral, still at the back of the herd, turns his attention to trying to hide their passing. Even in this craggy passage, a group this large leaves a bit of a trail, and the inexperienced half-drow finds himself struggling to conceal it. Deciding that his time would be better spent fleeing than struggling to disguise their path, he dashes a bit to rejoin the main bulk of the party, continuing to silently chatter along the telepathic line. Trying his best to be assertive and not just pose the question of direction for a third time in a day, he instead offers a suggestion.
"Shuushar has mentioned in the prison that we are near his home. It may not be our last stop, but I would think any chance to better equip or prepare ourselves for the journey ahead would be good. Perhaps we should head that way?"
(OOC: Trying to hide our passage is just for narrative, I know we can't use Stealth at a fast pace.)
Want more of my nonsense? Head over to https://bloodonthevine.podbean.com/ to listen to my DMing!
(I have a plan for possibly throwing them off the trail but I need to know which way we're going first and how big the passageways are)
(OOC - if you’re casting on an object then you can leave the object behind with an effect on it that will last an hour. Passageways are currently just over 10ft wide)
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
"That sounds wise. All paths look the same to me down here. Somewhere with possible allies makes sense"
"Hmm, yeah. Sounds good to me, which way is that one?" Half paying attention to the answer El takes one of their stolen daggers and tears of a piece of cloth from their tunic. They set to work on using both their magic and some of their own blood, reopening the wound on their finger from casting Bane.
Once the direction is decided El will flick the blood from their finger on the ground in the general area of the opposite tunnel and let some soak into the cloth as well. Using Prestidigitation they increase the amount on the cloth and add some to the dagger before leaving both in visible but not obvious spots in the opposite tunnel and covering them with some dirt, though not enough to hide them, just to make it believable that they were there unintentionally.
Additionally El uses one of their flasks of oil to cover a large rock (provided their is one) and splashes the remainder around a bit. Then El will create the smell of blood and burning flesh in the area. While going around the tunnel El will scuff the ground and add as many tracks as possible in and around it then light the oil with a snap of their fingers (technically and instantaneous effect but it's just for effect, it makes no difference to me if El has to use a flint or something).
"Hopefully this will throw them off our scent for the time being, anyone got an idea to cover our real tracks?"
OoC: I'm going by this; "If you cast this spell multiple times, you can have up to three of its non-instantaneous effects active at a time, and you can dismiss such an effect as an action." but if I misinterpreted it then I'm happy for someone to help speed it up or to take multiple turns for all of this as it is a lot of action/bonus action type stuff.
Tobias marches up from the back of the line. "We cannot take this much time making a choice. If no one is confident in their direction down here...," the half-orc glances down the two paths then after a "careful" moment of deliberation points to (Even/Straight, Odd/Left 15) the branch to the left. "Let's go that way. Our captors will be on our heels in no time."
El begins to prepare their magic to try and confuse their pursuers as Tobias uses his judgment and hopeful guidance to decide which path he thinks the group should move down.
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
”You don’t need to tell me twice“
Verim gestures towards Tobias in an agreeable manor as he trudges ahead at a quickened pace, using his shield as the light source for others to follow, he looks at El and nods his head in a thankful manor
Verim will allow those who know the tunnels to push ahead but allow space and an Eldritch blast ready in his hand, he looks towards Cyndral
“We will certainly find shelter or a place to rest soon, yes a quickened pace is needed, if we get our bearings right I should imagine Mystra will be find in leading us back to Shuushar’s home, right Shuushar?
You hear Shuushar’s voice again in your heads “Find the darklake we might. Follow the water to find Sloobludop”
Dungeon Master - PBP Lost Mine Of Phandelver (Closed)
Dungeon Master - PBP Out Of The Abyss (Closed)
Dungeon Master - The Chronicles Of Dantia (Home Game)
Forbi & Dorbi - Deep Gnome - Fighter/Rogue - PBP Into The Fire
Vosdred Ironeye - Hill Dwarf - Fighter/Wizard - PBP Game of the Last Chance
Once El finishes their false trail they will hurry to catch up with the group, masking the real tracks as best they can.