Confusion and outright screams burst out all around during the first moments of the escape. Just like in the very first days, time was of the essence. They could not slow down, they could not stop, they could barely breath.
After all these extenuating circumstances, they swam and were threatened by the waterfall. At least the water would wash away the spores and the goo..and Sarith's remains off if him.
Ree'lyn had Phineas by his side, having the gnome moving his little arms and legs and getting a push up to be redirected to the other side. Phineas helped as he could, offering support to Ree'lyn so he could float now and then to quickly regain his stamina.
"Phi...Phineas..." - over here. But just like that, there was no sign of the gnome anywhere.
More of the group members were making it through. For some reason, Quinn's melodies from earlier were echoing in his mind.
Witnessing the effort the drow was making, Gwen uses her skills to offer him her own help.
"Ash!!" Jezzika yelled, the red head's hand slipping, clearly distracted by something. "**** this day!"she growled, and ran down the opposite slope to get her.
Ash laughs a little and moves to help the others who fell. "Yeah. I'm fine. Short drop. Why? Were you worried about me?" She gives Jezz a teasing look and smile as the others get back up the slope.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Svana let a sigh of relief escape past her lips when they all escaped mostly unscathed, just a few mental scars for a few of them (her included), but alive and breathing. They kept a quick pace to get away from any more potential trouble, Svana choosing to stay more at the back to make sure they weren't being followed. Although, whatever she was trying to listen for would be drowned out by the waterfall they needed to cross before they could traverse any further. The elf had gone about and helped Amara cross successfully but was so focused of the other, she didn't notice that she was soon falling over the edge.
((rolled earlier, got a 9, dex save 11))
After a piercing shrill (only to see be cut off by the fact the drop honestly felt like a waterslide), Svana popped her head out of the water, cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I was scared it was going to be a lot worse of a drop, is all." Would be what she would say to the others that joined her. She stood up and went to rejoin everyone else to continue their journey forward.
At camp
When Rashim had notified us that my brother had died in an 'accident', I felt like a part of my self died alongside him.
I was inconsolable for weeks. My parents and sisters tried everything they could to bring a smile back to my face but every attempt had failed. I refused to leave my room, I could barely get out of bed some mornings. I struggled doing my normal everyday routines; bathing, brushing my teeth, doing my hair. Tasks that required very little effort took hours for me to complete. I wasn't myself. I was irritable, I didn't want to speak to anyone, and when spoken to I would lash out and not apologize. I isolated myself, drowned myself in study that I could barely focus on without bursting into tears.
Nightmares plagued my dreams constantly, and some nights I didn't sleep at all, until one night I succumbed to unconsciousness and heard his voice calling for me. I followed the voice through various twists and turns, through hallways and hedge mazes, till I finally found him. I couldn't speak, it felt like my voice box had been taken away from me, but it did not matter. He stared at me, and I could tell he was proud of me for finding him, but he was limited in speech. All he managed to say to me was, "Seek truth."
And then I woke up.
Nights after that I found myself dreaming more of him. After the first night I knew he was trying to tell me something and the only way I would be able to find out what he meant was through dreams. Night after night, I would document in my journal what he told me, trying to piece together what it was until finally I cracked the code; "Seek truth behind the words of a masked devil." The last time I dreamt of Amir he told me that he was proud of me and that morning I woke up with tears in my eyes. I had quickly wiped them away and had grown determined to find the truth on how my brother really died.
When I brought this to attention to my parents, saying that Rashim had planned his murder, they said I was crazed. "Why would he murder his best friend?", "What proof do you have of this claim?", "Not your dreams again, Svana." It hurt me but I understood how my parents were. They wanted proof and I swore to myself I would give them proof, one way or another.
Her plans of learning some type of spell in school to help give her some proof was foiled when they surprised her with the betrothal. He knew she was onto him and this was one way to stop her, but she bet all her money that he did not expect the assault on her carriage and of the people she would meet. After she set the alarm around camp, she would approach the one who she would believe could help her the most in uncovering the truth.
"Jezzika? I apologize for bothering you, but may I have a word with you in private?"
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.
Prior at the Falls:
"Always water... Why is it always water?"Enkindle mutters darkly under breathe as people one after the other manage to make their way across the divide. When at last her silent excuse of making sure others got across finally ran out, the fire genasi actually knelt before the waters, clutching her amulet for dear life. Its hard to say what type prayers passes her lips, as only the crackle of flames in a bonfire emanated from her mouth. But by the end, a practically hyperventilating cleric tried to cross under her own power for a change...
Soaking wet, Jezzika wrung out Umbra and shook him dry. Finding a place to sit down, she sighed and proceeded to undress and let her clothes dry. Down to her undergarments, she wasn't shy (she had a body to be proud of) and spent some time relaxing, opening up to Umbra. It was time for some answers.
Umbra. I think you owe me some answers.
NO. THOSE QUESTIONS, THE ANSWERS WILL WAIT.
I have been very faithful to you. Why won't you let me ask?
YOU ARE STILL YOUNG. SOON.
Then teach me something else.
VERY WELL. OPEN YOUR MIND.
She slowly closed her eyes, smiling softly. She found herself back on the star, black, blacker than anything the universe could create. She slowly walked along the surface, seeing it's astronomical size, and she felt like a speck of sand in the ocean. Each step she took she began to sink into the star and at first she grew worried.
DO NOT FEAR.
She sank to her hips, to her breasts, finally to her head, and she was all the way under the surface of the star. It was cool on her skin, she could see nothing but complete darkness, but felt like she was slowly sinking through a substance into the star's core she couldn't put words too. Her mind was touched by Umbra and she laughed, the knowledge of arcana and wisdom of the cosmos slowly uploaded into her mind. Umbra made her more powerful, and it so, so pleasurable, it made it this way on purpose. "Yesss..."she breathed. "More...more...more...! Give it to me. All of it. Teach me. More.."
She was laughing to herself when she heard a voice, and her sould returned to the Underdark. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, and he inhaled deep, and exhaled, as if she had just been very, very satisfied.
"Svana."she slowly turned her head. "Hello. Yes, of course. Come. Sit."she patted the ground next to her and felt her new powers inside her, eager to be tested.
Once they reach camp, Ash lighting the campfire with the burst of flames from her hand before sighing at the warmth. Noticing that Jezz is getting undressed, she laughs a little and moves over to her. "You know the others can just magic you dry right?" There's a pause before Ash shrugs. "I guess I can't let you be at it alone. Not like we havent been this way before." She does the same to strip off her wet clothes, sitting them down next to Jezz's and making a smaller fire a safe distance near them for them to dry. She notices Jezz becomes lost in thought and leans back in thought herself, she pays no mind to Svana as she talks with Jezz, lost in her own thought.
You knew that thing today. You knew its strength. Yet you didnt want me to flee? Why?
Yes. I knew its nature. I believe you could have taken it. I was wrong. You are still weak.
I am not weak. I am safe. I could have died. Then where would you be huh?
Where I have always been. The ocean. The water. Didn't you feel it?
Seeing Jezzika in her undergarments did not phase the wizard (she had 7 sisters, this was nothing new), but she did do her the favor and dried off her clothes and stuffed animal before she sat beside her. She had requested privacy, but it was clear she was not going to get it with Ash about, so instead she decided to use Jezzika's telepathic link.
"I know this may sound out of the blue, but... Could you please... Tell me more about Umbra? What they are capable of? And if... If they would be willing to help me?"
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\
Step Step Thud averts his eyes in disgust at the immodesty of the no-feathers, turning to whisper to Glabbagool, “No clothes, they walk around for everyone to see. Yuck.”
”But Step Step Thud, where are your clothes?”
”Feathers!”Step Step Thud holds up an arm, marveling at the oily sheen of his black feathers.
”Oh! I see! But then... where are my clothes?”
”Hmmmm. Shirt no fit. Try feather?” He plucks a few feathers from his arm and drop them in the jar where they bob around without dissolving.
”Looks like I’m supposed to wear feathers, not clothes! Thanks! Maybe one day I’ll even learn to fly! I think I’d like that.”
Step Step Thud nods in agreement as he sits in a rocky alcove overlooking the camp.
Talike doesn't dry her clothes off after crossing the river. Once the party stops to set up camp, she sits down and takes out one of her handaxes. She draws the blade across the palm of her left hand and paints a large symbol on the wall nearest to her. The symbol is visible to anyone at the camp and resembles a Y with curled ends. In between the fork of the Y is a shape that looks like a skull. Talike begins scrawling lines of jagged script after finishing the symbol.
Ash opens her eyes, spotting how Svana and Jezz are looking at each other, before looking to Talike. Her face is immediately one of confusion and concern. "What the?" She pushes herself to her feet, slicking back her wet hair off her forehead before heading over to Talike, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Tal? Are you alright? What are you doing?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Still nursing a sore throat from screaming his lungs out, Phineas now battles for air as he tries to swim free of the falls.
Swim, Phineas, swim! 9 and with a little help from my friends: 4
Dex, if needed, because it probably will be needed: 17
Corrin Kettlewhistle: Halfling Life Cleric (Curse of Strahd)
Kip Dalton: Human Lore Bard (Waterdeep Dragon Heist)
Debauchery Dalliance: Half-Drow Oath of Conquest Paladin (White Plume Mountain)
"Ree'lyn, are you struggling? Here!" Gwen casts guidance
guidance roll: 2
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Ree'lyn | Drow | Warlock | Level 2 | AC 15 | HP 14/14 | Temporary HP 8/8 | Cantrips Known 2 | Spells Known 3 | Spell Slots 2/2 | Slot Level 1 | Innate spells 1| Eldritch Invocations 2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Confusion and outright screams burst out all around during the first moments of the escape. Just like in the very first days, time was of the essence. They could not slow down, they could not stop, they could barely breath.
After all these extenuating circumstances, they swam and were threatened by the waterfall. At least the water would wash away the spores and the goo..and Sarith's remains off if him.
Ree'lyn had Phineas by his side, having the gnome moving his little arms and legs and getting a push up to be redirected to the other side. Phineas helped as he could, offering support to Ree'lyn so he could float now and then to quickly regain his stamina.
"Phi...Phineas... " - over here. But just like that, there was no sign of the gnome anywhere.
More of the group members were making it through. For some reason, Quinn's melodies from earlier were echoing in his mind.
Witnessing the effort the drow was making, Gwen uses her skills to offer him her own help.
Athletics 5
Quinn's inspiration 1
Gwen's guidance +1
Quinns athletics 18
(If advantage 4 )
Quinn reaches over and grabs the bird and jar and gtfo's
STR check: 10DEX save: 16Needing help with his armor Ronnal ask for Hueys help to swim.
STR check: 21
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAStep Step Thud frantically paddles forward with Quinn’s help.
Strength: 16
DC14 STR (Athletics): 19
DC11 DEX save: 19
"Ash!!" Jezzika yelled, the red head's hand slipping, clearly distracted by something. "**** this day!" she growled, and ran down the opposite slope to get her.
"Are you ok?" she asked Ash, helping her up.
OF COURSE SHE IS. IT WAS ONLY 10 FEET DOWN.
I KNOW!
Ash laughs a little and moves to help the others who fell. "Yeah. I'm fine. Short drop. Why? Were you worried about me?" She gives Jezz a teasing look and smile as the others get back up the slope.
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Willow Twilight|Swiftstride Shifter|Blood Hunter|Ebberon|Retired
Meephylia Polliwog|Grung|Dragon Sorcerer|Descent To Avernus|Retired
Ashryn Rairs|Changeling|Hexblade Warlock|Out Of The Abyss|Dead
Swimming: 14
Talike has been distant for all of day nine. Anyone standing near Talike hears her whispering to herself in a harsh language.
Earlier:
"Declaration: Thank you for your forgiveness. I will endeavor to perform better on future occasions."
Now:
Athletics, with help from Gwen: 21
Duke has no issue getting past the slope and once across, he will take his time helping everyone that fell get back up.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Svana let a sigh of relief escape past her lips when they all escaped mostly unscathed, just a few mental scars for a few of them (her included), but alive and breathing. They kept a quick pace to get away from any more potential trouble, Svana choosing to stay more at the back to make sure they weren't being followed. Although, whatever she was trying to listen for would be drowned out by the waterfall they needed to cross before they could traverse any further. The elf had gone about and helped Amara cross successfully but was so focused of the other, she didn't notice that she was soon falling over the edge.
((rolled earlier, got a 9, dex save 11))
After a piercing shrill (only to see be cut off by the fact the drop honestly felt like a waterslide), Svana popped her head out of the water, cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "I was scared it was going to be a lot worse of a drop, is all." Would be what she would say to the others that joined her. She stood up and went to rejoin everyone else to continue their journey forward.
At camp
When Rashim had notified us that my brother had died in an 'accident', I felt like a part of my self died alongside him.
I was inconsolable for weeks. My parents and sisters tried everything they could to bring a smile back to my face but every attempt had failed. I refused to leave my room, I could barely get out of bed some mornings. I struggled doing my normal everyday routines; bathing, brushing my teeth, doing my hair. Tasks that required very little effort took hours for me to complete. I wasn't myself. I was irritable, I didn't want to speak to anyone, and when spoken to I would lash out and not apologize. I isolated myself, drowned myself in study that I could barely focus on without bursting into tears.
Nightmares plagued my dreams constantly, and some nights I didn't sleep at all, until one night I succumbed to unconsciousness and heard his voice calling for me. I followed the voice through various twists and turns, through hallways and hedge mazes, till I finally found him. I couldn't speak, it felt like my voice box had been taken away from me, but it did not matter. He stared at me, and I could tell he was proud of me for finding him, but he was limited in speech. All he managed to say to me was, "Seek truth."
And then I woke up.
Nights after that I found myself dreaming more of him. After the first night I knew he was trying to tell me something and the only way I would be able to find out what he meant was through dreams. Night after night, I would document in my journal what he told me, trying to piece together what it was until finally I cracked the code; "Seek truth behind the words of a masked devil." The last time I dreamt of Amir he told me that he was proud of me and that morning I woke up with tears in my eyes. I had quickly wiped them away and had grown determined to find the truth on how my brother really died.
When I brought this to attention to my parents, saying that Rashim had planned his murder, they said I was crazed. "Why would he murder his best friend?", "What proof do you have of this claim?", "Not your dreams again, Svana." It hurt me but I understood how my parents were. They wanted proof and I swore to myself I would give them proof, one way or another.
Her plans of learning some type of spell in school to help give her some proof was foiled when they surprised her with the betrothal. He knew she was onto him and this was one way to stop her, but she bet all her money that he did not expect the assault on her carriage and of the people she would meet. After she set the alarm around camp, she would approach the one who she would believe could help her the most in uncovering the truth.
"Jezzika? I apologize for bothering you, but may I have a word with you in private?"
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\
Prior at the Falls:
"Always water... Why is it always water?" Enkindle mutters darkly under breathe as people one after the other manage to make their way across the divide. When at last her silent excuse of making sure others got across finally ran out, the fire genasi actually knelt before the waters, clutching her amulet for dear life. Its hard to say what type prayers passes her lips, as only the crackle of flames in a bonfire emanated from her mouth. But by the end, a practically hyperventilating cleric tried to cross under her own power for a change...
Athletics: 15.
Plus Guidance: 1.
And by the grace of her god, she makes it! Though she continues on looking wild-eyed, jumpy, and visibly steaming dry again like mad for a while.
(I went ahead and gave Enkindle disadvantage, because she cannot swim.
Editing)When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Soaking wet, Jezzika wrung out Umbra and shook him dry. Finding a place to sit down, she sighed and proceeded to undress and let her clothes dry. Down to her undergarments, she wasn't shy (she had a body to be proud of) and spent some time relaxing, opening up to Umbra. It was time for some answers.
Umbra. I think you owe me some answers.
NO. THOSE QUESTIONS, THE ANSWERS WILL WAIT.
I have been very faithful to you. Why won't you let me ask?
YOU ARE STILL YOUNG. SOON.
Then teach me something else.
VERY WELL. OPEN YOUR MIND.
She slowly closed her eyes, smiling softly. She found herself back on the star, black, blacker than anything the universe could create. She slowly walked along the surface, seeing it's astronomical size, and she felt like a speck of sand in the ocean. Each step she took she began to sink into the star and at first she grew worried.
DO NOT FEAR.
She sank to her hips, to her breasts, finally to her head, and she was all the way under the surface of the star. It was cool on her skin, she could see nothing but complete darkness, but felt like she was slowly sinking through a substance into the star's core she couldn't put words too. Her mind was touched by Umbra and she laughed, the knowledge of arcana and wisdom of the cosmos slowly uploaded into her mind. Umbra made her more powerful, and it so, so pleasurable, it made it this way on purpose. "Yesss..." she breathed. "More...more...more...! Give it to me. All of it. Teach me. More.."
She was laughing to herself when she heard a voice, and her sould returned to the Underdark. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, and he inhaled deep, and exhaled, as if she had just been very, very satisfied.
"Svana." she slowly turned her head. "Hello. Yes, of course. Come. Sit." she patted the ground next to her and felt her new powers inside her, eager to be tested.
Once they reach camp, Ash lighting the campfire with the burst of flames from her hand before sighing at the warmth. Noticing that Jezz is getting undressed, she laughs a little and moves over to her. "You know the others can just magic you dry right?" There's a pause before Ash shrugs. "I guess I can't let you be at it alone. Not like we havent been this way before." She does the same to strip off her wet clothes, sitting them down next to Jezz's and making a smaller fire a safe distance near them for them to dry. She notices Jezz becomes lost in thought and leans back in thought herself, she pays no mind to Svana as she talks with Jezz, lost in her own thought.
You knew that thing today. You knew its strength. Yet you didnt want me to flee? Why?
Yes. I knew its nature. I believe you could have taken it. I was wrong. You are still weak.
I am not weak. I am safe. I could have died. Then where would you be huh?
Where I have always been. The ocean. The water. Didn't you feel it?
Feel what? The water? What do you mean Ophidian?
:Silence:
Ophidian? Damn it.
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Willow Twilight|Swiftstride Shifter|Blood Hunter|Ebberon|Retired
Meephylia Polliwog|Grung|Dragon Sorcerer|Descent To Avernus|Retired
Ashryn Rairs|Changeling|Hexblade Warlock|Out Of The Abyss|Dead
Seeing Jezzika in her undergarments did not phase the wizard (she had 7 sisters, this was nothing new), but she did do her the favor and dried off her clothes and stuffed animal before she sat beside her. She had requested privacy, but it was clear she was not going to get it with Ash about, so instead she decided to use Jezzika's telepathic link.
"I know this may sound out of the blue, but... Could you please... Tell me more about Umbra? What they are capable of? And if... If they would be willing to help me?"
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\
Quinn prestidigitates himself dry and anyone else who sees him do so. It is a cantrip after all.
Step Step Thud averts his eyes in disgust at the immodesty of the no-feathers, turning to whisper to Glabbagool, “No clothes, they walk around for everyone to see. Yuck.”
”But Step Step Thud, where are your clothes?”
”Feathers!” Step Step Thud holds up an arm, marveling at the oily sheen of his black feathers.
”Oh! I see! But then... where are my clothes?”
”Hmmmm. Shirt no fit. Try feather?” He plucks a few feathers from his arm and drop them in the jar where they bob around without dissolving.
”Looks like I’m supposed to wear feathers, not clothes! Thanks! Maybe one day I’ll even learn to fly! I think I’d like that.”
Step Step Thud nods in agreement as he sits in a rocky alcove overlooking the camp.
Talike doesn't dry her clothes off after crossing the river. Once the party stops to set up camp, she sits down and takes out one of her handaxes. She draws the blade across the palm of her left hand and paints a large symbol on the wall nearest to her. The symbol is visible to anyone at the camp and resembles a Y with curled ends. In between the fork of the Y is a shape that looks like a skull. Talike begins scrawling lines of jagged script after finishing the symbol.
Ash opens her eyes, spotting how Svana and Jezz are looking at each other, before looking to Talike. Her face is immediately one of confusion and concern. "What the?" She pushes herself to her feet, slicking back her wet hair off her forehead before heading over to Talike, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Tal? Are you alright? What are you doing?"
Nina Wildvale|Changeling|Wild Magic Sorcerer|Rise of The Reunelords|Active
Kai Loire|Water Genasia|Life Cleric|Road To Phandalin|Retired
Willow Twilight|Swiftstride Shifter|Blood Hunter|Ebberon|Retired
Meephylia Polliwog|Grung|Dragon Sorcerer|Descent To Avernus|Retired
Ashryn Rairs|Changeling|Hexblade Warlock|Out Of The Abyss|Dead
Talike blankly stares at Ash before turning back to her "artwork"