"Moonwood, I have heard of it in my travels. It will be... interesting to see if it lives up to it's reputation. It seems like it should be close to here." Don says as though he absolutely knows what is going on.
"Moonwood, I have heard of it in my travels. It will be... interesting to see if it lives up to it's reputation. It seems like it should be close to here." Don says as though he absolutely knows what is going on.
Halani grimaces. “Ah...apologies, my people still call our woods by that name. Much has changed in the last few centuries. I forget that most races these days know it by the name ‘Glimmerwood.’ The forest isn’t far, perhaps half a week’s journey from here, but we know not the way through the mountains. Once we get to the forest, we will know the way.”
Ink addresses the group, prisoners included, suggesting, "I suspect that the yakfolk village is essentially abandoned. We have some business within the mountain. I suggest that you all stay put and gather your strength. When we return, we'd be happy to escort you all to various homes. Given your current conditions, even with the expert guidance of Saarvin, it would be a dangerous journey - best if you travel under our protection."
The additional mundane weapons and gear found in the chief's hut, Ink hands over to Halani and her attendants, saying, "Distribute among yourselves and the other freed prisoners as you see fit."
Ink obliges Flint and casts detect magic as a ritual. He examines the items they recovered from their search of the village. If there is any time left on the spell, he will roam around the village to see if anything glows under his eldritch sight.
// DM -- Not sure if you caught the below actions/questions in a previous post...
Ink responds, generally, "If we wait until the morning, I can warn the king himself with the sending of a message. I do not think we are in a proper shape to explore the giant caves within, regardless." To Halani he asks, "Do the giants come up on any sort of regular basis? We may be able to camp out here for a bit - along with the rest of you now freed peoples." In response to the other elves, Ink responds in Elvish, "It would be my honor to escort Halani and the rest of you to the Moonwood - long was I interested in visiting your people. Always am I interested of learning of the other tribes of elves of Faerun. However, we have immediate matters to attend to within this mountain first."
Ink searches the skies for the flying ship, hoping that it is perhaps within range of a message so that he can direct the good captain to touch down in the Yakfolk village.
(We'll say the airship is at max range for your Message cantrip, being parked about 120 feet directly below you in the dead chimera's lair)
Ink hears an affirmative from the airship captain Delsephine, and within minutes the airship has ascended the cliff face to the village. The crew surveys the carnage (dead yakfolk and slaves) without saying much, taking it all in as seemingly routine business.
// Detect Magic: everything already called out as magic in my previous posts glows with appropriate auras...the flame-tongue utilizes evocation, for example. You find no new magic items, though you feel residual, primal magic here, probably left over from the yakfolk and their shamans.
Halani tells you that the village's giant water wheel, which turns the millstone, also raises and lowers an elevator (area 9) that leads down to the heart of the fire giant forge. "Many more slaves have been put to work in the mines, though I have never seen any giants come up—nor have I ever seen slaves return."
Next to the elevator is a spiral staircase (area 10) that leads down into the mines. Halani explains, "I know from overhearing the yakira chief that one can reach the fire giant forge by traveling through the mines, but the elevator route is faster."
The blade is a flame tongue greatsword. Flint understands the primal word used to ignite the blade once one is attuned to it, and can share it with any of his companions.
// Go for the long rest! Hit that button and we'll proceed to the Forge of the Fire Giants afterwards. //
Ink gladly takes a rest. He casts as a ritual Leomund’s Tiny Hut and suggests that they set up a watch, both the adventures and the ship's crew, in case any Yakfolk return.
-----
Assuming no incident, Ink, in the morning, casts sending, targeting the Queen Tithmel, saying, "Your scouts sent to investigate Zalto were captured by Yakfolk. The Yakfolk possessed them and are on their way to assassinate the king. Take precautions."
-----
Ink suggests that although the elevator may be the quick path, it may also deposit them right in the middle of the forge surrounded by fire giants. He would rather take the cautionary approach and go through the mines and, hopefully, thin out any possible reinforcements.
(if you haven't already, go ahead and finish your long rest!)
Once you've rested, Saarvin bids you farewell and tells you he'll watch over these slaves as if they were his own hatchlings. Nothing remains but to make for the underground forge of the Fire Giants!
Twenty-foot-tall iron doors in the mountainside (northeast of the chieftain’s hut) swing open to reveal a rough-hewn passageway blocked by an iron portcullis. From the room beyond comes the sound of rushing water from the nearby river. Though the heavy portcullis is giant-sized, it is a simple enough matter for Crownsguard and Flint to lift with their combined strength. (I’m not gonna make you guys roll)
The passage leads to a cold, dark, and vast chamber with a 50-foot-high ceiling and an 80-foot-diameter, 500-foot-deep shaft in the middle of the floor. An iron rig is bolted to the pit’s circular rim. Suspended from this rig by iron chains is a 60-foot-diameter, circular platform made from oak beams held together by iron bands and rivets—the elevator. Around to the left of the chamber is a featureless room is a spiral staircase with 10-foot-wide stone steps descending into darkness...to the topmost level of Ironslag’s mines.
Descending, you eventually find yourself in a maze of rough-hewn tunnels, with occasional upward- and downward-sloping passages. The upper levels of these mines are unlit and, as far as you can tell, abandoned. Ancient rails for minecarts connect the tunnels.
As you make your way, winding slowly in what you think is a downwards direction, you pick up some distant, percussive sounds...
So, it’s taking a few moments to get down there right? Before the percussion and all that, that is. If we have a minute, could I cast Augury to tell what fate might have in store as we enter the mines? The spell needs special marked objects worth at least 25 gp to work. Therefore... I thought that three platinum pieces (we have those, right?) might do the job! Tails for bad, heads for good!
Oh also, Party Treasurer, can I snag a 50 gp diamond? Need it to cast Chromatic Orb if needed.
Lastly, Flame Tongue is now attuned. Thankfully, the new Armblades just retract into my arm, so I don’t need to remove a hand this time. Wait... Now that I think about it. Alright, stowing the flame tongue, but leaving it attuned. Crownsguard currently has the Giant Slayer Greatsword equipped.
So, it’s taking a few moments to get down there right? Before the percussion and all that, that is. If we have a minute, could I cast Augury to tell what fate might have in store as we enter the mines? The spell needs special marked objects worth at least 25 gp to work. Therefore... I thought that three platinum pieces (we have those, right?) might do the job! Tails for bad, heads for good!
That would work! You just need to mark the platinum pieces with some sort of implement, essentially defacing them (and removing them from your currency pool).
Something to deface the coins you say? Well, allow me to just pull out my flaming greatsword! As he sears the coin’s faces with magical flame, he will make two inscriptions on each of the three coins. Happy crownsguard face for good, sad crownsguard face for bad.
Crownsguard, having sufficiently created the focus, steps back. “Team, please refrain from touching the coins. I will now place an inquiry as to what will occur in our next thirty minutes.”
Crownsguard mechanically flips the three coins in quick succession! After which, his body relaxes and he looks down, “That was fun. We should do that more.”
Yep. I figured that there'd be some woe. On the plus side, its not all bad!
Crownsguard collects his coins, "According to the great One and Prime, our chances of success are predicted to be approximately 63.471%, under the current predetermined fate of the material plane. However, on the bright side, we have done more with less. However, please keep in mind, this calculation was completed under the very specific analysis of our state in this moment. If any additional spells are cast on us, or the composition of our party changes, the percentage may increase or decrease."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The sounds of mining grow louder, as you begin to clearly hear picks clanging on stone and minecarts rumbling.
As you proceed down a particularly sloping tunnel, you come face to face with a creature on fire! It appears like a sinuous serpent, but visibly intense heat washes off its body. It has a large spear in its hands, and it towers over you, taller than the yakira you fought only yesterday. Yellow eyes glow like candles in the deep-set hollows of its hawkish face.
Seconds later, another such creature slithers into the tunnel behind you. You are trapped!
Initiative please! Anyone who rolls higher than 12 can take a turn immediately.
Once everything is collected, Flint asks Ink to cast detect magic. Once we're settled he'll begin identifying anything that glows. :)
History: 19
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
Don has never heard of the “Moonwood,” but the way the moon elf slaves talk of it, it seems like it would be close.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
"Moonwood, I have heard of it in my travels. It will be... interesting to see if it lives up to it's reputation. It seems like it should be close to here." Don says as though he absolutely knows what is going on.
Marav(Druid/Ranger) -Storm Kings ThunderDontontion(Rogue/Warlock) - Storm Kings Thunder
DM - Stormpoint Mountains :: A Critical Role Adventure ( Map of Trunau )
Halani grimaces. “Ah...apologies, my people still call our woods by that name. Much has changed in the last few centuries. I forget that most races these days know it by the name ‘Glimmerwood.’ The forest isn’t far, perhaps half a week’s journey from here, but we know not the way through the mountains. Once we get to the forest, we will know the way.”
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Ink addresses the group, prisoners included, suggesting, "I suspect that the yakfolk village is essentially abandoned. We have some business within the mountain. I suggest that you all stay put and gather your strength. When we return, we'd be happy to escort you all to various homes. Given your current conditions, even with the expert guidance of Saarvin, it would be a dangerous journey - best if you travel under our protection."
The additional mundane weapons and gear found in the chief's hut, Ink hands over to Halani and her attendants, saying, "Distribute among yourselves and the other freed prisoners as you see fit."
Ink obliges Flint and casts detect magic as a ritual. He examines the items they recovered from their search of the village. If there is any time left on the spell, he will roam around the village to see if anything glows under his eldritch sight.
// DM -- Not sure if you caught the below actions/questions in a previous post...
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
"I'd listen to Ink, he is the brains of this operation" Matrix comments as he works on skinning the chief
Rip Dangerfield- Halfling Bard, Storm Kings Thunder (retired)
Matrix- Human Monk/fighter, Storm Kings Thunder
(We'll say the airship is at max range for your Message cantrip, being parked about 120 feet directly below you in the dead chimera's lair)
Ink hears an affirmative from the airship captain Delsephine, and within minutes the airship has ascended the cliff face to the village. The crew surveys the carnage (dead yakfolk and slaves) without saying much, taking it all in as seemingly routine business.
// Detect Magic: everything already called out as magic in my previous posts glows with appropriate auras...the flame-tongue utilizes evocation, for example. You find no new magic items, though you feel residual, primal magic here, probably left over from the yakfolk and their shamans.
Halani tells you that the village's giant water wheel, which turns the millstone, also raises and lowers an elevator (area 9) that leads down to the heart of the fire giant forge.
"Many more slaves have been put to work in the mines, though I have never seen any giants come up—nor have I ever seen slaves return."
Next to the elevator is a spiral staircase (area 10) that leads down into the mines. Halani explains, "I know from overhearing the yakira chief that one can reach the fire giant forge by traveling through the mines, but the elevator route is faster."
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Flint casts ritual identify on the great sword then suggests a rest until morning.
The blade is a flame tongue greatsword. Flint understands the primal word used to ignite the blade once one is attuned to it, and can share it with any of his companions.
// Go for the long rest! Hit that button and we'll proceed to the Forge of the Fire Giants afterwards. //
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Ink gladly takes a rest. He casts as a ritual Leomund’s Tiny Hut and suggests that they set up a watch, both the adventures and the ship's crew, in case any Yakfolk return.
-----
Assuming no incident, Ink, in the morning, casts sending, targeting the Queen Tithmel, saying, "Your scouts sent to investigate Zalto were captured by Yakfolk. The Yakfolk possessed them and are on their way to assassinate the king. Take precautions."
-----
Ink suggests that although the elevator may be the quick path, it may also deposit them right in the middle of the forge surrounded by fire giants. He would rather take the cautionary approach and go through the mines and, hopefully, thin out any possible reinforcements.
Storm King's Thunder - Ink, Elven Bladesinging Wizard
Core City: APbPA - Ormond, Human Twilight Cleric
The Inferno - BG:Dia - DM
They keep me rollin'
(if you haven't already, go ahead and finish your long rest!)
Once you've rested, Saarvin bids you farewell and tells you he'll watch over these slaves as if they were his own hatchlings. Nothing remains but to make for the underground forge of the Fire Giants!
Twenty-foot-tall iron doors in the mountainside (northeast of the chieftain’s hut) swing open to reveal a rough-hewn passageway blocked by an iron portcullis. From the room beyond comes the sound of rushing water from the nearby river. Though the heavy portcullis is giant-sized, it is a simple enough matter for Crownsguard and Flint to lift with their combined strength. (I’m not gonna make you guys roll)
The passage leads to a cold, dark, and vast chamber with a 50-foot-high ceiling and an 80-foot-diameter, 500-foot-deep shaft in the middle of the floor. An iron rig is bolted to the pit’s circular rim. Suspended from this rig by iron chains is a 60-foot-diameter, circular platform made from oak beams held together by iron bands and rivets—the elevator. Around to the left of the chamber is a featureless room is a spiral staircase with 10-foot-wide stone steps descending into darkness...to the topmost level of Ironslag’s mines.
Descending, you eventually find yourself in a maze of rough-hewn tunnels, with occasional upward- and downward-sloping passages. The upper levels of these mines are unlit and, as far as you can tell, abandoned. Ancient rails for minecarts connect the tunnels.
As you make your way, winding slowly in what you think is a downwards direction, you pick up some distant, percussive sounds...
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
So, it’s taking a few moments to get down there right? Before the percussion and all that, that is. If we have a minute, could I cast Augury to tell what fate might have in store as we enter the mines? The spell needs special marked objects worth at least 25 gp to work. Therefore... I thought that three platinum pieces (we have those, right?) might do the job! Tails for bad, heads for good!
Oh also, Party Treasurer, can I snag a 50 gp diamond? Need it to cast Chromatic Orb if needed.
Lastly, Flame Tongue is now attuned. Thankfully, the new Armblades just retract into my arm, so I don’t need to remove a hand this time. Wait... Now that I think about it. Alright, stowing the flame tongue, but leaving it attuned. Crownsguard currently has the Giant Slayer Greatsword equipped.
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
That would work! You just need to mark the platinum pieces with some sort of implement, essentially defacing them (and removing them from your currency pool).
Go ahead and let me know how you do it.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Something to deface the coins you say? Well, allow me to just pull out my flaming greatsword! As he sears the coin’s faces with magical flame, he will make two inscriptions on each of the three coins. Happy crownsguard face for good, sad crownsguard face for bad.
Crownsguard, having sufficiently created the focus, steps back. “Team, please refrain from touching the coins. I will now place an inquiry as to what will occur in our next thirty minutes.”
Crownsguard’s body goes rigid and he casts Augury
>“Initiating Connection.
>CG-PM/P-1 ... Admin ...
>Inquiry ...
>Probability of Success ...”
Crownsguard mechanically flips the three coins in quick succession! After which, his body relaxes and he looks down, “That was fun. We should do that more.”
What are the results?
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
Upon request, flint hands crownsguard a diamond (100 gp value)
Crownsguard fits the diamond into one of the eye sockets of his dwarf-face, “Thank you, Flint.”
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 results of Crownsguard’s Augury spell are weal and woe.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Yep. I figured that there'd be some woe. On the plus side, its not all bad!
Crownsguard collects his coins, "According to the great One and Prime, our chances of success are predicted to be approximately 63.471%, under the current predetermined fate of the material plane. However, on the bright side, we have done more with less. However, please keep in mind, this calculation was completed under the very specific analysis of our state in this moment. If any additional spells are cast on us, or the composition of our party changes, the percentage may increase or decrease."
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 sounds of mining grow louder, as you begin to clearly hear picks clanging on stone and minecarts rumbling.
As you proceed down a particularly sloping tunnel, you come face to face with a creature on fire! It appears like a sinuous serpent, but visibly intense heat washes off its body. It has a large spear in its hands, and it towers over you, taller than the yakira you fought only yesterday. Yellow eyes glow like candles in the deep-set hollows of its hawkish face.
Seconds later, another such creature slithers into the tunnel behind you. You are trapped!
Initiative please! Anyone who rolls higher than 12 can take a turn immediately.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM