Greydon and Corinne score the killing blows on Pedipalp. With her dead, Salighara is able to re-take control of the Dream Gate. As promised, she gives you all the second stamp that you need to traverse the Dead Roads. There is still one more stamp that you need to take before you can fully traverse the Dead Roads and get back to the Material Plane and it is in Nine Eaves. As you leave the Scriptorium and make your way to the third waypoint, you all move up to 3rd level!
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Morticia looks over the group at Mallet’s suggestion. “I personally don’t mind going back… We could rest along the way too?”
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\
"I hope I was useful in that fight, she was a little scary! Did anyone get hurt? Can I heal anyone?"Mallet says, eyes politely darting over possible wounds but not approaching yet. She's still unsure of her existence, let alone her place in the party.
Shi nods in agreement. "I'm perfectly all right with taking a quick detour back to the Palace for your stamp, Mallet," she says. "I do not believe I am any more injured than before."
Putting this up as I have time now, but can be applied whenever we are ready to move on:
Both on the way back to the Palace and then to Nine Eaves, Shi talks to her lights a lot more, seemingly much more comfortable doing so now that the group hasn't flipped out about it. She chats with them about everything from dismemberment methods to what they think of the scenery. There is also a very serious conversation in which she acknowledges they were invaluable in the Scriptorium and promises to listen to them more. Kieran often bobs at the front of the party, pulling in different spirit orbs to help navigate.
At one point, the light identified as Lahuna zips away from the group and vanishes into the distance, provoking a frown from Shi. A few minutes later, Lahuna returns, something floating within the orb. As Lahuna skids to a stop in front of Shi, the changeling reaches out and takes the item.
It proves to be a skull, humanoid and belonging to a Medium creature. Shi raises an eyebrow at Lahuna. "And where did you get this?" Her face turns serious as she listens to the light's telepathic response for a long moment, eyes widening slightly. "Oh. Oh. Are you sure?" She looks down at it. "I see. Well, let's give it a try. I haven't done this in a few weeks, at this point. Not many bodies down here. And I've never tried on just a skull." Her eyes go pure white as she focuses on the skull, eyes rolling up in her head. After a moment, she shook her head and frowned. "I didn't get much. Not even any clear memories. I don't think--aieek!" A very startled, squeaky noise comes out of her as her form shimmers and transforms, but not to the full degree of an entirely new form. Instead, a scar appears on her back shoulder, a short slit that looks like a blade was put straight through it. Shi cranes her head to look at it, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that's new," she observes, poking it repeatedly like she's expecting it to do something. "I don't think it goes away." She looks down at the skull in her hands. "I'm keeping this."
Some context for Sassy who gets the answers I have:
That was my very weird and definitely over-dramatic way of giving Shi her new bardic focus and subclass XD Basically, the skull is connected to Shi in some way--I don't know if you had any pre-existing plans on what happened to Shi at the beginning of her backstory (the waking up covered in blood bit), but if so, I will of course cede to your plans and make any modifications needed lol. If not, or if they don't conflict with the following, here is what I was thinking:
Essentially, the skull is in some way connected to Shi...I'm not 100% sure on how yet, because I'm still not 100% sure as to what Shi is or what happened to her at backstory start. But whatever it was, it gave her a snapshot of connection to what happened at the moment of her first death, hence the scar. And is now going to become her spirits bardic focus.
You spend a few hours marching back to the Palace of Teeth in order to allow Mallet to get the stamp from Queen Carnassial. The queen is unlike any creature that Mallet has seen before, with a humanoid top half and a bottom half that resembles a fleshy insect. "Oh, you all again." Carnassial says, lifting up a jawbone-shaped stamp. "I guess you're here for this." She stamps Mallet and you're back on the road to Nine Eaves. It takes you several hours to make the trip to Nine Eaves and I'm presuming that you're taking a long rest to avoid taking a level of exhaustion. Eventually, you make it to Nine Eaves.
Looming over the road like a wizened old man, this ancient manor of dark, splintery wood rises three stories tall. Several windows and small balconies jut from the manor irregularly, each under a sweeping eave of the building’s sharply pitched roof. A wide doorway stands in the front of the manor, with a greenhouse of grimy glass set against its side. The building exudes an air of gloom and age
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Greydon fell even more silent than usual and the air around them started becoming more protective and even more vigilant. Yet, at the same time they became significantly more relaxed, almost, comfortable. The occasional smile still appeared on their lips while watching over the others. And then at one point, probably around when Shi's blue balls brought back a face of it's own, Greydon flickered. They'd shift.
G
Once they approached the manor, G would grab hold of their Scythe. They'd point to the doorway at the front, and then the green house at the side if it had its own entrance. "Any preference on how to proceed?" Their voice was deeper and more concise.
On one of the 'nights' of rest during their journey, a sleeping Corinne is seen restlessly twisting and moving as in a night terror. At some point she flies awake, eyes black, as her fingers shift and harden into vampiric claws. Her breathing comes ragged as if she'd been fighting for her life. The woman takes several calming breaths as she reverts to her human-esque form form. She looks over her arms and legs, and breathes another sigh of relief, as she chuckles to herself.
The vampiress finds herself in a moonlit throne room, the faint sound of discordant violins cry and plead to an unseen and uncaring goddess. The immaculate yet very worn stone of the chamber is adorned in lavish red velvet and eerie green glowing candles ruminate on their shining brass candelabras and lanterns. Corinne walks down the chamber towards the throne on lithe, cautious feet, her raven hair shimmering and reflecting the moonlight and the sickly green candle glow.
An ancient and terrible chuckle musically emanates from a figure lounging on the immaculately jewel encrusted throne. "Oh? And who might you be?" the voice croons, as an unimaginably suave man swings his legs down from the arm rest and leans forward, resting 2 slender arms on his knees, steepling ancient fingers that seem to radiate ungodly power. The ancient vampire's face is dominated by 2 intense, ice blue eyes that pierce Corinne seemingly observing the depths of her soul and taking measure. His dark raven hair parts in curtains that sweep aside, ending just below his sharp jawline.
Corinne takes an unconscious step forward, drawn in by the familiar features of the man's face. Her heart beats so loudly in her ears, that they must have been echoing throughout the chamber like warning drums. Her eyes cast up, meeting his gaze, defiant. "I am..." she considers revealing her secret, searching his gaze first to see if he knew... and is met with just curiosity from the ancient predator. A giggle, like silver bells ringing cascades from the pale woman, bouncing against the ancient stones of the Ustalavian Castle. With a curtsy, Corinne speaks, far more relaxed than she's been since her awakening in the boneyard, "I am a moroi-born dhampir from Ustalav. I find myself on a great and dangerous journey, and need---" "training to tap more fully into your vampiric powers? Is that what you are asking of ME?" The blue eyed vampire throws his head back and laughs, "Do you know who I am, young one? I am Luvick Siervage, leader of the vampires of Caliphas, do you think I have time to help a mere dhampir?..." He pauses, looking deeper into Corinne's eyes of silver, as if trying to recognize something.
"Very well. I find your boldness familiar. It reminds me of...well me when I was young. Come, stand before me and show me what you've got." Lord Siervage cuts a tall figure as he strides toward Corinne, his eyes unblinking as his fangs begin to protrude and his claws lengthen and harden.
Corinne's eyes shift to the dark of the new moon as she undergoes her vampiric shift, skin hardening and fangs extending.
The two predators pace a circle around each other before launching into melee. Siervage easily side steps and slaps away Corinne's attacks, landing several deep slashes on her skin before dashing out of reach of the young woman.
"Dig deeper into your hunger, else you will NEVER be a match for any real threat." He says, with calm collected tones, seemingly unaffected by the effort of fighting.
Corinne, already breathing heavy and bleeding from several gashes on her arms and thigh lets out a blood curdling shriek before tensing her arms. THIS time, the muscles on her arms ripple and tighten as her fingers arch, her nails lengthening and hardening into deadly claws. She launches herself forward at reckless speeds, spinning at the last second to fling her claws in a tornado of lethality. Once again, Siervage blocks and dodges her blows, but they soon both settle into a dance-like rhythm. The sounds of claw against claw, strike against strike ringing out of the green-lit throne room under the pale moon of an Ustalavan castle.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
Mallet thanks the group for agreeng to the detour, and then thanks the odd Tooth Queen sincerely for the stamp.
She tries to talk to Shi's blue balls, just making conversation. When they rest, Mallet settles down after eating (are we even eating here?), and starts to go to sleep. Her eyes open, and she sits up with some effort, finding a comfortable place to sit. She closes her eyes, and begins speaking very quietly to herself.
"Hello? Are you there? Maybe you're more here than you were back when I was back there. Maybe I'm here, and you're there. Anyway. Lathander, I know we've had more of a deal, or an agreement, in the past. I try to help heal people, stop unnecessary injury and death, and give you attention and a form of devotion. It's worked out so far. But things are... odd now. I'm not sure what's going on. I fell in with some odd, but very welcoming people. Beings. We seem to be on the same path. I'd like to get back to where there are more people, away from this, if I could. Get back to our agreement. Do you think you could help me do that? I'd sure appreciate it. I'm never sure how to finish these. I barely do them. Thanks for all the neat stuff? I appreciate it? I'll try to do good things?"
She opens her eyes, smiles gently, and falls back to sleep, literally. When she wakes up, she's got a bit more sense of purpose, and her hands are practicing some new castings.
Arriving at the house, she peers up at it. "Should we get a look around the whole thing, get a sense of the building, and then go to the front door?"
As she does, Morticia naturally falls behind Corrine and G as they approach the gloomy looking house. At Mallet's suggestion, the rogue nods in agreement. "Y-yeah! Maybe find another entrance or..." Grey hues flicker over to the equally dreary looking greenhouse. "... Mm... Never mind that idea..."
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\
Shi shrugs, a couple of spirits zipping around her. "If we do not want to go in the front, we could always try a balcony," she suggests as she starts circling the house.
"What exactly are we doing here? Someone has a stamp, and hopefully they are cogent and will work with us... and if not, we have to free them or defeat whatever is preventing them?" Mallet says.
"Shi, spot me with one of your balls?" G would hook their scythe into it's place on their back. They'd take a few breaths then whisper words beneath their breath as they'd start doing some stretches. The paladin would roll their neck and then their shoulders back. After a couple hops, they'd move into a running leap and try to parkour their way up to a higher vantage point (trees, trellises, balcony, etc.) and follow Shi around.
Parkour (Athletics): 9+Guidance: 4 (Using adv assuming Shi's balls can help them traverse to a higher vantage point. lol!)
Then, hopefully from their new vantage point, G would help the more perceptive bunch scan for what they're looking for.
Morticia's lips part to answer Mallet's question, only for her to clamp them shut to suppress a laugh from escaping her when she view G fall promptly on their ass. She bites her bottom lip to stop her growing smile, asking between a small giggle. "Are you okay?"She would then go over and assist them back to their feet.
After their answer (and calming herself down), she looks back to Mallet. "T-That's how it's been thus far, truthfully. Hopefully this one won't be too hard for us..."
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\
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Corinne walks over to Greydon and Morticia, nodding to the reaper paladin, “Let me try, my knight.” She winks before straight up walking up the wall as if it were the floor, calmly walking to a vantage point to scan the area.
PERCEPTION: 11
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
In addition to D1, Corinne can also see that the group could enter through Area D4, the rear door in Area D7, as well as the second-floor balconies in D10, D11, D12, and the third floor balconies in D16 and D19.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
The weak light thrown by two dim lamps barely illuminates a vestibule with several coatracks, benches, and an iron umbrella stand. The wallpaper is stained with age and decorated with repeating patterns of snails. A heavy, dark wooden door exits to the south, while a sliding double door leads to the north.
D2. Grand Staircase
A massive staircase of dark wood rises to the north, its maroon carpet pitted with age. The railings are carved to resemble ascending ghosts. The wall atop the stairs bears an enormous, looming portrait 6 feet wide and 9 feet tall. The portrait depicts a bearded older man with curling ram horns, hunched under the weight of a massive snail shell on his back. The figure bears a half grin, as though he knows a particularly delightful secret. A chandelier of iron and glass hangs down above the stair’s lower landing from the ceiling 20 feet above, its few lit candles flickering weakly. From the lower landing, three different sliding doors lead to the west, south, and east. From the upper landing, sliding double doors lead to the east and west—one on each side of the looming portrait.
As you enter this room, the portrait greets you. “Well, well. Things aren’t as hopeless as I’d feared, then! Welcome to Nine-Eaves. The master of the manor, Kishokish, has been betrayed and captured. While I bear his appearance, I am little more than a host for his little parties and puzzles. Sahkils, wicked creatures that prey upon torment and fear, have invaded Nine-Eaves. Will you help?”
"I can tell you where my master is being detained and how you can rescue him, but I am afraid that you must complete a few puzzles first. My master has a great fondness for them and inexplicably has made it so that I cannot disclose information about the house without you completing a mental puzzle beforehand. A rather irritating and perplexing compulsion."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Greydon and Corinne score the killing blows on Pedipalp. With her dead, Salighara is able to re-take control of the Dream Gate. As promised, she gives you all the second stamp that you need to traverse the Dead Roads. There is still one more stamp that you need to take before you can fully traverse the Dead Roads and get back to the Material Plane and it is in Nine Eaves. As you leave the Scriptorium and make your way to the third waypoint, you all move up to 3rd level!
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
(Mallet asks if she can go back to the first waypoint to get the first stamp!)
Morticia looks over the group at Mallet’s suggestion. “I personally don’t mind going back… We could rest along the way too?”
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\
"I hope I was useful in that fight, she was a little scary! Did anyone get hurt? Can I heal anyone?" Mallet says, eyes politely darting over possible wounds but not approaching yet. She's still unsure of her existence, let alone her place in the party.
Shi nods in agreement. "I'm perfectly all right with taking a quick detour back to the Palace for your stamp, Mallet," she says. "I do not believe I am any more injured than before."
Putting this up as I have time now, but can be applied whenever we are ready to move on:
Both on the way back to the Palace and then to Nine Eaves, Shi talks to her lights a lot more, seemingly much more comfortable doing so now that the group hasn't flipped out about it. She chats with them about everything from dismemberment methods to what they think of the scenery. There is also a very serious conversation in which she acknowledges they were invaluable in the Scriptorium and promises to listen to them more. Kieran often bobs at the front of the party, pulling in different spirit orbs to help navigate.
At one point, the light identified as Lahuna zips away from the group and vanishes into the distance, provoking a frown from Shi. A few minutes later, Lahuna returns, something floating within the orb. As Lahuna skids to a stop in front of Shi, the changeling reaches out and takes the item.
It proves to be a skull, humanoid and belonging to a Medium creature. Shi raises an eyebrow at Lahuna. "And where did you get this?" Her face turns serious as she listens to the light's telepathic response for a long moment, eyes widening slightly. "Oh. Oh. Are you sure?" She looks down at it. "I see. Well, let's give it a try. I haven't done this in a few weeks, at this point. Not many bodies down here. And I've never tried on just a skull." Her eyes go pure white as she focuses on the skull, eyes rolling up in her head. After a moment, she shook her head and frowned. "I didn't get much. Not even any clear memories. I don't think--aieek!" A very startled, squeaky noise comes out of her as her form shimmers and transforms, but not to the full degree of an entirely new form. Instead, a scar appears on her back shoulder, a short slit that looks like a blade was put straight through it. Shi cranes her head to look at it, raising an eyebrow. "Well, that's new," she observes, poking it repeatedly like she's expecting it to do something. "I don't think it goes away." She looks down at the skull in her hands. "I'm keeping this."
Some context for Sassy who gets the answers I have:
That was my very weird and definitely over-dramatic way of giving Shi her new bardic focus and subclass XD Basically, the skull is connected to Shi in some way--I don't know if you had any pre-existing plans on what happened to Shi at the beginning of her backstory (the waking up covered in blood bit), but if so, I will of course cede to your plans and make any modifications needed lol. If not, or if they don't conflict with the following, here is what I was thinking:
Essentially, the skull is in some way connected to Shi...I'm not 100% sure on how yet, because I'm still not 100% sure as to what Shi is or what happened to her at backstory start. But whatever it was, it gave her a snapshot of connection to what happened at the moment of her first death, hence the scar. And is now going to become her spirits bardic focus.
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!
You spend a few hours marching back to the Palace of Teeth in order to allow Mallet to get the stamp from Queen Carnassial. The queen is unlike any creature that Mallet has seen before, with a humanoid top half and a bottom half that resembles a fleshy insect. "Oh, you all again." Carnassial says, lifting up a jawbone-shaped stamp. "I guess you're here for this." She stamps Mallet and you're back on the road to Nine Eaves. It takes you several hours to make the trip to Nine Eaves and I'm presuming that you're taking a long rest to avoid taking a level of exhaustion. Eventually, you make it to Nine Eaves.
Looming over the road like a wizened old man, this ancient manor of dark, splintery wood rises three stories tall. Several windows and small balconies jut from the manor irregularly, each under a sweeping eave of the building’s sharply pitched roof. A wide doorway stands in the front of the manor, with a greenhouse of grimy glass set against its side. The building exudes an air of gloom and age
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Greydon fell even more silent than usual and the air around them started becoming more protective and even more vigilant. Yet, at the same time they became significantly more relaxed, almost, comfortable. The occasional smile still appeared on their lips while watching over the others. And then at one point, probably around when Shi's blue balls brought back a face of it's own, Greydon flickered. They'd shift.
G
Once they approached the manor, G would grab hold of their Scythe. They'd point to the doorway at the front, and then the green house at the side if it had its own entrance. "Any preference on how to proceed?" Their voice was deeper and more concise.
just an unstable unicorn.
On one of the 'nights' of rest during their journey, a sleeping Corinne is seen restlessly twisting and moving as in a night terror. At some point she flies awake, eyes black, as her fingers shift and harden into vampiric claws. Her breathing comes ragged as if she'd been fighting for her life. The woman takes several calming breaths as she reverts to her human-esque form form. She looks over her arms and legs, and breathes another sigh of relief, as she chuckles to herself.
The vampiress finds herself in a moonlit throne room, the faint sound of discordant violins cry and plead to an unseen and uncaring goddess. The immaculate yet very worn stone of the chamber is adorned in lavish red velvet and eerie green glowing candles ruminate on their shining brass candelabras and lanterns.
Corinne walks down the chamber towards the throne on lithe, cautious feet, her raven hair shimmering and reflecting the moonlight and the sickly green candle glow.
An ancient and terrible chuckle musically emanates from a figure lounging on the immaculately jewel encrusted throne.
"Oh? And who might you be?" the voice croons, as an unimaginably suave man swings his legs down from the arm rest and leans forward, resting 2 slender arms on his knees, steepling ancient fingers that seem to radiate ungodly power. The ancient vampire's face is dominated by 2 intense, ice blue eyes that pierce Corinne seemingly observing the depths of her soul and taking measure. His dark raven hair parts in curtains that sweep aside, ending just below his sharp jawline.
Corinne takes an unconscious step forward, drawn in by the familiar features of the man's face. Her heart beats so loudly in her ears, that they must have been echoing throughout the chamber like warning drums. Her eyes cast up, meeting his gaze, defiant. "I am..." she considers revealing her secret, searching his gaze first to see if he knew... and is met with just curiosity from the ancient predator. A giggle, like silver bells ringing cascades from the pale woman, bouncing against the ancient stones of the Ustalavian Castle. With a curtsy, Corinne speaks, far more relaxed than she's been since her awakening in the boneyard, "I am a moroi-born dhampir from Ustalav. I find myself on a great and dangerous journey, and need---"
"training to tap more fully into your vampiric powers? Is that what you are asking of ME?" The blue eyed vampire throws his head back and laughs, "Do you know who I am, young one? I am Luvick Siervage, leader of the vampires of Caliphas, do you think I have time to help a mere dhampir?..." He pauses, looking deeper into Corinne's eyes of silver, as if trying to recognize something.
"Very well. I find your boldness familiar. It reminds me of...well me when I was young. Come, stand before me and show me what you've got." Lord Siervage cuts a tall figure as he strides toward Corinne, his eyes unblinking as his fangs begin to protrude and his claws lengthen and harden.
Corinne's eyes shift to the dark of the new moon as she undergoes her vampiric shift, skin hardening and fangs extending.
The two predators pace a circle around each other before launching into melee. Siervage easily side steps and slaps away Corinne's attacks, landing several deep slashes on her skin before dashing out of reach of the young woman.
"Dig deeper into your hunger, else you will NEVER be a match for any real threat." He says, with calm collected tones, seemingly unaffected by the effort of fighting.
Corinne, already breathing heavy and bleeding from several gashes on her arms and thigh lets out a blood curdling shriek before tensing her arms. THIS time, the muscles on her arms ripple and tighten as her fingers arch, her nails lengthening and hardening into deadly claws. She launches herself forward at reckless speeds, spinning at the last second to fling her claws in a tornado of lethality. Once again, Siervage blocks and dodges her blows, but they soon both settle into a dance-like rhythm. The sounds of claw against claw, strike against strike ringing out of the green-lit throne room under the pale moon of an Ustalavan castle.
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
Mallet thanks the group for agreeng to the detour, and then thanks the odd Tooth Queen sincerely for the stamp.
She tries to talk to Shi's blue balls, just making conversation. When they rest, Mallet settles down after eating (are we even eating here?), and starts to go to sleep. Her eyes open, and she sits up with some effort, finding a comfortable place to sit. She closes her eyes, and begins speaking very quietly to herself.
"Hello? Are you there? Maybe you're more here than you were back when I was back there. Maybe I'm here, and you're there. Anyway. Lathander, I know we've had more of a deal, or an agreement, in the past. I try to help heal people, stop unnecessary injury and death, and give you attention and a form of devotion. It's worked out so far. But things are... odd now. I'm not sure what's going on. I fell in with some odd, but very welcoming people. Beings. We seem to be on the same path. I'd like to get back to where there are more people, away from this, if I could. Get back to our agreement. Do you think you could help me do that? I'd sure appreciate it. I'm never sure how to finish these. I barely do them. Thanks for all the neat stuff? I appreciate it? I'll try to do good things?"
She opens her eyes, smiles gently, and falls back to sleep, literally. When she wakes up, she's got a bit more sense of purpose, and her hands are practicing some new castings.
Arriving at the house, she peers up at it. "Should we get a look around the whole thing, get a sense of the building, and then go to the front door?"
As she does, Morticia naturally falls behind Corrine and G as they approach the gloomy looking house. At Mallet's suggestion, the rogue nods in agreement. "Y-yeah! Maybe find another entrance or..." Grey hues flicker over to the equally dreary looking greenhouse. "... Mm... Never mind that idea..."
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\
Shi shrugs, a couple of spirits zipping around her. "If we do not want to go in the front, we could always try a balcony," she suggests as she starts circling the house.
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!
"What exactly are we doing here? Someone has a stamp, and hopefully they are cogent and will work with us... and if not, we have to free them or defeat whatever is preventing them?" Mallet says.
"Shi, spot me with one of your balls?" G would hook their scythe into it's place on their back. They'd take a few breaths then whisper words beneath their breath as they'd start doing some stretches. The paladin would roll their neck and then their shoulders back. After a couple hops, they'd move into a running leap and try to parkour their way up to a higher vantage point (trees, trellises, balcony, etc.) and follow Shi around.
Parkour (Athletics): 9+Guidance: 4
(Using adv assuming Shi's balls can help them traverse to a higher vantage point. lol!)
Then, hopefully from their new vantage point, G would help the more perceptive bunch scan for what they're looking for.
just an unstable unicorn.
With a 10 on Athletics you are unable to get to any vantage point, instead falling on your ass.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Morticia's lips part to answer Mallet's question, only for her to clamp them shut to suppress a laugh from escaping her when she view G fall promptly on their ass. She bites her bottom lip to stop her growing smile, asking between a small giggle. "Are you okay?" She would then go over and assist them back to their feet.
After their answer (and calming herself down), she looks back to Mallet. "T-That's how it's been thus far, truthfully. Hopefully this one won't be too hard for us..."
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\
Corinne walks over to Greydon and Morticia, nodding to the reaper paladin, “Let me try, my knight.” She winks before straight up walking up the wall as if it were the floor, calmly walking to a vantage point to scan the area.
PERCEPTION: 11
Corinne Hemlock: Dhampir courtesan and dusk huntress
Kraig Bronzeaxe: Dwarven archaeologist and guerilla archer
In addition to D1, Corinne can also see that the group could enter through Area D4, the rear door in Area D7, as well as the second-floor balconies in D10, D11, D12, and the third floor balconies in D16 and D19.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
D1. Vestibule
The weak light thrown by two dim lamps barely illuminates a vestibule with several coatracks, benches, and an iron umbrella stand. The wallpaper is stained with age and decorated with repeating patterns of snails. A heavy, dark wooden door exits to the south, while a sliding double door leads to the north.
D2. Grand Staircase
A massive staircase of dark wood rises to the north, its maroon carpet pitted with age. The railings are carved to resemble ascending ghosts. The wall atop the stairs bears an enormous, looming portrait 6 feet wide and 9 feet tall. The portrait depicts a bearded older man with curling ram horns, hunched under the weight of a massive snail shell on his back. The figure bears a half grin, as though he knows a particularly delightful secret. A chandelier of iron and glass hangs down above the stair’s lower landing from the ceiling 20 feet above, its few lit candles flickering weakly. From the lower landing, three different sliding doors lead to the west, south, and east. From the upper landing, sliding double doors lead to the east and west—one on each side of the looming portrait.
As you enter this room, the portrait greets you. “Well, well. Things aren’t as hopeless as I’d feared, then! Welcome to Nine-Eaves. The master of the manor, Kishokish, has been betrayed and captured. While I bear his appearance, I am little more than a host for his little parties and puzzles. Sahkils, wicked creatures that prey upon torment and fear, have invaded Nine-Eaves. Will you help?”
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Shi blinks. "Where is he?"
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!
"I can tell you where my master is being detained and how you can rescue him, but I am afraid that you must complete a few puzzles first. My master has a great fondness for them and inexplicably has made it so that I cannot disclose information about the house without you completing a mental puzzle beforehand. A rather irritating and perplexing compulsion."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More