This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Camilla pats Li'yira on the shoulder, firmly, as if they had just scored a point together in some random sport. "Buck up, buckaroo - we're used to this shit already."she snorted in a laugh.
(BOOKS INTERLUDE)
THE SERPENT HILLS
Good weather and the fact that Varram and his large party were moving with haste makes his trail into the hills easy to follow. From Boareskyr Bridge, you pursue the dwarf into the Serpent Hills — a swath of badlands, mesas, and rocky plateaus sprinkled with trees and tall grass. Varram’s trail leads some sixty-five miles north-northeast.
6 16 5 4
As we were walking through the hills, we saw a low rise covered in hastily collected rocks marking the resting place of one of the many explorers to have fallen in the Serpent Hills. Luckily, nothing more became of the find, and we pressed on.
Eventually, the tracks led to what appeared to be a tomb.
AREA 1 - THE ENTRANCE PLAZA
The entrance to the tomb stands in what was once a large paved plaza. The remains of a fountain are now little more than a stone circle set around a crumbling hole in the ground leading to a well deep below. Two stone statues stand in the courtyard, rising twenty feet high. Behind them, a forty-foot high edifice is carved into the cliff side, dominated by relief columns carved with strange, otherworldly scenes. The left-hand colossus is a bearded human male wearing exotic clothes, but its face is smashed beyond recognition. It holds a balance in its right hand and a cudgel at its side, its left hand raised as if in warning. The colossus to the right of the entrance is a young human male wearing similarly exotic clothing, the left half of its head cracked off and lying at its feet. The statue holds a shepherd’s crook in its left hand and a sword at its waist, its right hand raised in warning as well.
THE ENTRANCE
The entrance to the crypt is 30 feet up atop a stone stairwell that stops 10 feet short of a platform jutting out from the cliff face. Someone left a ladder leaning against the edifice that allows you all to climb up to the entrance.
THE CAMPSITE
Someone has made camp in the plaza near the ruined fountain. A campfire is burning down here, and three bedrolls show where they slept. Seven shallow graves have been dug east of the campsite.
Astrid will stealthily (22) walk around the campsite, Investigating (26) the site to figure out who camped out here, and what/who the fresh graves may be holding.
It is very clear to you that the Cult of the Dragon has been here very recently, based on what you can find around the campfire. The graves are fresh, but it's impossible to know who's buried in them unless you start digging and look for bodies. As you contemplate the idea, Camilla looks at you with clear disgust and says, "Don't."
Whispering, "It would appear we have a friend in the area, as those graves are filled with the vile bodies of our enemies!"
She'll then carefully approach the ladder, and check it out for traps (Investigation: 14), and making sure it's capable of being used by the larger members of the group.
As you approach AREA 2 and the ladder, you hear the sudden sound of grinding stone. The colossal figures turn their massive heads, their shattered features staring down at you all. Two voices issue forth in unison, booming out as though erupting from the deep earth.
“Halt. You come before Diderius, ether walker and conduit of clairvoyance. Behold ye now his wondrous triumphs. Diderius extends wisdom, and Diderius offers knowledge. Which do you seek?”
Looters have defaced and ruined the relief-carved walls, and the censers are long gone. Set between the carvings are a dozen alcoves recognizable as funerary niches, though these contain only splinters of bone. At the far end of the chamber, a stone door hangs ajar. Marks on the door and frame indicate that it was recently forced. Then, a sensation.
"Wait a minute."Camilla held up her hand, and turned around after climbing the ladder. "Do you feel that? Eyes on us. It's like..someone is watching us. We are not alone."Camilla peered out into the plaza, her eyes squinting behind her huge circular glasses. Her heart quickened, and her hands clenched. Her stomach knotted up tightly, and began to expect the worst.
This is it. Avernus has found me. I'm so sorry.
(PAUSING FOR BOOKS' POST - PLEASE HOLD OR JUST RP)
Messalina takes one of Camilla's shaking hands in hers and holds her wand of Magic Missiles in the other one, ready to fire it at any hell-beast that approaches.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
From a niche in the wall, an elf comes into view. She has blond-white hair tied back from her face, and a longbow on her back, along with a quiver of arrows. She wears leather armor over simple traveling clothes, and has a dagger at her side. Three scars are visible on her cheek, clearly slashed there some way or another, the wound must have barely missed her eye when she received it. A dagger hangs at her side, the brass pommel bearing a few scratches. She eyes the group with cool disdain, especially Li'riya.
Li'riya tenses, hand curling into a fist. "Grandmother," she murmurs quietly.
Camilla's eyebrows raised to comedic effect, and smiled at the newcomer. Then, something occurred to her, her eyes bouncing from Astrid to Ka'ralya. "Another grandma? Ha!"she barked in a quick laugh. She waited to either be introduced or hear what Li'riya had to say.
Messalina lowers her wand hand slightly, but still keeps it ready. "Well, it's not a devil. She's pretty for a grandma, I suppose that's a benefit of being an elf."
Bells feathers ruffle in an attempt to look big and scary! So this is the meanie who makes auntie Liri uncomfortable! Well she does look intimidating, but so do I!!
Tiny bird intimidation (for funsies): 8
Well she tried her best to strike fear into the heart of the older elf but alas...
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Messalina is proud of her bird daughter for sticking up for Li'riya, even if she is too cute to be intimidating. "Yes, Li'riya is one of us and we don't like how you've treated the poor girl. That will end now and you will treat her right. Or else my bird friend will prove that her bite more than makes up for her bark."
Intimidation: 14
Messalina felt pretty intimidating and she certainly hoped that her intent overpowered her failed metaphor, since birds didn't bark and she was pretty sure that they didn't bite either.
To follow up with Messalina’s statement, Bell let out a bark from the back of her throat, followed by a guttural growl, both sounding exactly like it came out of a canine and not a tiny crow creature.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Ka'ralya glances over the group briefly. "So these are your new allies, Li'riya. They seem like decent choices, although I'm sure they all share your spine. You asked if I wanted to help with this agenda of the Cult, here I am. So are we going to get moving, or do you still hesitate to do what you must?"
Li'riya crosses her arms. "I asked you here to help, Grandmother," she says softly. "Not to put down me or my friends." She takes a deep breath. "I know we didn't part on good terms. But can we put that aside for now and work together for a common cause?"
Ka'ralya shakes her head in what could be either disgust or sadness. "Let's get moving," she says brusquely, joining the group at the top of the ladder. "Lead the way, granddaughter."
Li'riya sighs and turns to move deeper into the ruins (area 3).
"Stupid elves and their beauty.."Camilla mumbled under her breath, smiling and shaking her head in a manner that she'd never understand how they pull that off. She covered her mouth trying to contain a laugh at Bell trying to be ferocious, and patted her on the head lovingly. "That was actually pretty good!"
After Ka'ralya spoke, had a moment with Li'riya, she again smiled at the situation. "Are you sure she's not a devil? She's cranky like one." she joked to anyone in earshot. Making a hand motion to indicate she was trying to be funny, she climbed up the ladder, looked behind her one more time at the plaza, and followed everyone else.
AREA 3 - WATCHFUL STATUES
Six statues stand here, all of cowled wizards leaning on staffs, their faces obscured by deep hoods. The hollows the hoods form are particularly dark. All of you are struck with mental communication from Diderious.
“Some secrets are not meant for mortal minds to know. Look away from the darkness in which such knowledge hides.”
As you all pass the halfway point of the room, the sound of grinding stone announces the statues turning their cowled heads to follow your movements.
Bell’s feathers calmed down once Camilla gave her a pat on the head, the cleric giving a small huff in response as she realized that they didn’t see her as intimidating at all. At least she tried! Upon entering the next room, hearing the voices, and taking notice of the statues eyes (along with feeling particularly bold), Bell waddles up to one of the statues and waggles her talon at them saying, “Didn’t your mother tell you that it’s rude to stare?!”
With her hands at her waist she turns on her heel and huffs off into the next area (4 I believe!).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Aeydof the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm /ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
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Camilla pats Li'yira on the shoulder, firmly, as if they had just scored a point together in some random sport. "Buck up, buckaroo - we're used to this shit already." she snorted in a laugh.
(BOOKS INTERLUDE)
THE SERPENT HILLS
Good weather and the fact that Varram and his large party were moving with haste makes his trail into the hills easy to follow. From Boareskyr Bridge, you pursue the dwarf into the Serpent Hills — a swath of badlands, mesas, and rocky plateaus sprinkled with trees and tall grass. Varram’s trail leads some sixty-five miles north-northeast.
6
16
5
4
As we were walking through the hills, we saw a low rise covered in hastily collected rocks marking the resting place of one of the many explorers to have fallen in the Serpent Hills. Luckily, nothing more became of the find, and we pressed on.
Eventually, the tracks led to what appeared to be a tomb.
AREA 1 - THE ENTRANCE PLAZA
The entrance to the tomb stands in what was once a large paved plaza. The remains of a fountain are now little more than a stone circle set around a crumbling hole in the ground leading to a well deep below. Two stone statues stand in the courtyard, rising twenty feet high. Behind them, a forty-foot high edifice is carved into the cliff side, dominated by relief columns carved with strange, otherworldly scenes. The left-hand colossus is a bearded human male wearing exotic clothes, but its face is smashed beyond recognition. It holds a balance in its right hand and a cudgel at its side, its left hand raised as if in warning. The colossus to the right of the entrance is a young human male wearing similarly exotic clothing, the left half of its head cracked off and lying at its feet. The statue holds a shepherd’s crook in its left hand and a sword at its waist, its right hand raised in warning as well.
THE ENTRANCE
The entrance to the crypt is 30 feet up atop a stone stairwell that stops 10 feet short of a platform jutting out from the cliff face. Someone left a ladder leaning against the edifice that allows you all to climb up to the entrance.
THE CAMPSITE
Someone has made camp in the plaza near the ruined fountain. A campfire is burning down here, and three bedrolls show where they slept. Seven shallow graves have been dug east of the campsite.
Astrid will stealthily (22) walk around the campsite, Investigating (26) the site to figure out who camped out here, and what/who the fresh graves may be holding.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
It is very clear to you that the Cult of the Dragon has been here very recently, based on what you can find around the campfire. The graves are fresh, but it's impossible to know who's buried in them unless you start digging and look for bodies. As you contemplate the idea, Camilla looks at you with clear disgust and says, "Don't."
Whispering, "It would appear we have a friend in the area, as those graves are filled with the vile bodies of our enemies!"
She'll then carefully approach the ladder, and check it out for traps (Investigation: 14), and making sure it's capable of being used by the larger members of the group.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
You find one untrapped ladder capable of supporting your bigger friends.
Excellent job!
Upwards and onwards! Astrid will start climbing carefully up the ladder.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
As you approach AREA 2 and the ladder, you hear the sudden sound of grinding stone. The colossal figures turn their massive heads, their shattered features staring down at you all. Two voices issue forth in unison, booming out as though erupting from the deep earth.
“Halt. You come before Diderius, ether walker and conduit of clairvoyance. Behold ye now his wondrous triumphs. Diderius extends wisdom, and Diderius offers knowledge. Which do you seek?”
Astrid: "Oh honey....both! Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad."
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
“Diderius shall grant you what you seek, but only if you heed him and continue to show proper respect!”
They then revert to their original positions.
AREA 2 - ANTECHAMBER
Looters have defaced and ruined the relief-carved walls, and the censers are long gone. Set between the carvings are a dozen alcoves recognizable as funerary niches, though these contain only splinters of bone. At the far end of the chamber, a stone door hangs ajar. Marks on the door and frame indicate that it was recently forced. Then, a sensation.
"Wait a minute." Camilla held up her hand, and turned around after climbing the ladder. "Do you feel that? Eyes on us. It's like..someone is watching us. We are not alone." Camilla peered out into the plaza, her eyes squinting behind her huge circular glasses. Her heart quickened, and her hands clenched. Her stomach knotted up tightly, and began to expect the worst.
This is it. Avernus has found me. I'm so sorry.
(PAUSING FOR BOOKS' POST - PLEASE HOLD OR JUST RP)
Messalina takes one of Camilla's shaking hands in hers and holds her wand of Magic Missiles in the other one, ready to fire it at any hell-beast that approaches.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
From a niche in the wall, an elf comes into view. She has blond-white hair tied back from her face, and a longbow on her back, along with a quiver of arrows. She wears leather armor over simple traveling clothes, and has a dagger at her side. Three scars are visible on her cheek, clearly slashed there some way or another, the wound must have barely missed her eye when she received it. A dagger hangs at her side, the brass pommel bearing a few scratches. She eyes the group with cool disdain, especially Li'riya.
Li'riya tenses, hand curling into a fist. "Grandmother," she murmurs quietly.
Ka'ralya:
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Camilla's eyebrows raised to comedic effect, and smiled at the newcomer. Then, something occurred to her, her eyes bouncing from Astrid to Ka'ralya. "Another grandma? Ha!" she barked in a quick laugh. She waited to either be introduced or hear what Li'riya had to say.
Messalina lowers her wand hand slightly, but still keeps it ready. "Well, it's not a devil. She's pretty for a grandma, I suppose that's a benefit of being an elf."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Bells feathers ruffle in an attempt to look big and scary! So this is the meanie who makes auntie Liri uncomfortable! Well she does look intimidating, but so do I!!
Tiny bird intimidation (for funsies): 8
Well she tried her best to strike fear into the heart of the older elf but alas...
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Messalina is proud of her bird daughter for sticking up for Li'riya, even if she is too cute to be intimidating. "Yes, Li'riya is one of us and we don't like how you've treated the poor girl. That will end now and you will treat her right. Or else my bird friend will prove that her bite more than makes up for her bark."
Intimidation: 14
Messalina felt pretty intimidating and she certainly hoped that her intent overpowered her failed metaphor, since birds didn't bark and she was pretty sure that they didn't bite either.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
To follow up with Messalina’s statement, Bell let out a bark from the back of her throat, followed by a guttural growl, both sounding exactly like it came out of a canine and not a tiny crow creature.
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\
Ka'ralya glances over the group briefly. "So these are your new allies, Li'riya. They seem like decent choices, although I'm sure they all share your spine. You asked if I wanted to help with this agenda of the Cult, here I am. So are we going to get moving, or do you still hesitate to do what you must?"
Li'riya crosses her arms. "I asked you here to help, Grandmother," she says softly. "Not to put down me or my friends." She takes a deep breath. "I know we didn't part on good terms. But can we put that aside for now and work together for a common cause?"
Ka'ralya shakes her head in what could be either disgust or sadness. "Let's get moving," she says brusquely, joining the group at the top of the ladder. "Lead the way, granddaughter."
Li'riya sighs and turns to move deeper into the ruins (area 3).
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
"Stupid elves and their beauty.." Camilla mumbled under her breath, smiling and shaking her head in a manner that she'd never understand how they pull that off. She covered her mouth trying to contain a laugh at Bell trying to be ferocious, and patted her on the head lovingly. "That was actually pretty good!"
After Ka'ralya spoke, had a moment with Li'riya, she again smiled at the situation. "Are you sure she's not a devil? She's cranky like one." she joked to anyone in earshot. Making a hand motion to indicate she was trying to be funny, she climbed up the ladder, looked behind her one more time at the plaza, and followed everyone else.
AREA 3 - WATCHFUL STATUES
Six statues stand here, all of cowled wizards leaning on staffs, their faces obscured by deep hoods. The hollows the hoods form are particularly dark. All of you are struck with mental communication from Diderious.
“Some secrets are not meant for mortal minds to know. Look away from the darkness in which such knowledge hides.”
As you all pass the halfway point of the room, the sound of grinding stone announces the statues turning their cowled heads to follow your movements.
What do you do?
Bell’s feathers calmed down once Camilla gave her a pat on the head, the cleric giving a small huff in response as she realized that they didn’t see her as intimidating at all. At least she tried! Upon entering the next room, hearing the voices, and taking notice of the statues eyes (along with feeling particularly bold), Bell waddles up to one of the statues and waggles her talon at them saying, “Didn’t your mother tell you that it’s rude to stare?!”
With her hands at her waist she turns on her heel and huffs off into the next area (4 I believe!).
Aeyd of the Dragons || Wood Elf / Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk
Demetrios Zalaoras || Protector Aasimar / Paladin of Torm
Hawke || Kalashtar / Circle of the Moon Druid
Morticia || Half-Aasimar Rogue
Yvan || Goliath / Path of the Wild Soul Barbarian | Paladin of Helm
/ᐠ。ꞈ。ᐟ\