“You’re right Kotar, Hulil may not give us much choice, but we need her alive. She knows where the artifacts are or where they’re going. We need to talk to her and get that information.” He grits his teeth in frustration. It always comes down to knowledge. What they know or don’t know can be the difference between life and death.
Qidira nods at Kotar, "Maybe you're right. They cooperate with Hulil, maybe being here for her will be enough." She says absently running her fingers over the pommel of the new dagger waiting her turn. "If it wasn't so far away, I'd take a peek in that bucket. I can't think of what else it may be. I wonder what they feed him?"
Durnham offered his thoughts once again, this time followed by Qidira. The wizard convinced Kotar in few words that they needed Hulil alive while the rogue said that she would scout ahead if she could.
“I’m not sure I want to know what they use to feed the frogs.”He said to Qidira, fearing the group would have become the very answer if they were ever defeated in there. “I also thought about bringing the plank from the other pool, but this one seems larger so I don’t know if the improvised bridge would reach all the way to the other side.”
Maybe someone could measure the distance better. As far as he knew all of them dealt in ranged combat more than himself.
“If Old Croaker accepts taking all of us you could go in stealth, look if there is any trap or anything like that and make a signal for us. Waving a hand with a dagger if there’s no ambush and two if there is some.” At first, he thought about suggesting her to light a torch against the entrance of the next session of the cave, an idea soon abandoned, after all Hulil would surely see the light. “Then we go in, defeat the bandits, tie them and get the information we need?”
Kotar looked to Ressys and Brandon, waiting for their opinions. Maybe they would have a better plan. Admittedly the goliath was more accustomed to executing plans rather than making them, even if with help.
Ressys hesitates before climbing on the giant frog. He listens to the words of the others and then turns to Old Croaker.
"Is Hulil alone? Is she very sick? How far past the water is she? And can we bring you any food in thanks for aiding us?" he croaks the questions to Old Croaker.
Old Croaker waits a moment before answering Ressys’s questions: “Yes, all can come. Sick dwarf close with friend. Leathery birds taste nice”
Qidira studies the frog’s face and body language for any sign of deception but it is completely inscrutable (but a good idea and decent roll, but I need to invoke disadvantage for the language/species barrier and the fact OC is submerged – second roll please)
“You are right, Kotar, we must be prepared for anything” Brandon moves to climb on the frog with Ressys “But let’s see what we are dealing with. I will cross first with Ressys, just in case there is trouble.” He turns to Qidira “Perhaps you could join us and scout ahead? You are light, it should not be too much trouble with the three of us.”
Brandon looks at the dark water. He trusts Ressys, but is a little wary of the frog. Still, Hulil and the others must have crossed somehow. He tightens his hold on his gear and prepares to move across.
(OOC: If I read correctly, Ressys is already on board. If Old Croaker can hold 2-3, we can make the first trip without leaving one person alone on the far side.)
Ressys, Qidira and Brandon step onto the giant frog’s back and it sinks slightly under the weight, his slippery back making a tricky surface. Then Old Croaker turns slowly and swims over to the north edge of the pool where his passengers disembark.
The pathway here takes a sharp left turn and is almost immediately into a cavern. A warm rush of heat comes from a massive fire burning in the center of this cavern, its smoke venting up through a narrow stone chimney. The flames illuminate a rough painting of a five-headed dragon that dominates the north wall. A bedroll is spread out beneath the mural. Near the crackling blaze, a dwarf bundled in a heavy cloak sits on a stone chest beside an elf whose face is covered in dragon tattoos, both of them appear to be deep in meditation and have not noticed you.
The dwarf’s face is streaked with pulsing blue veins.
Outside the cavern, Old Croaker bobs back to the south bank and waits for Kotar and Durnham to board.
Nods to Brandon's inquiry, "Of course, I'll see how they respond." Qidira peeks in and gestures to the other two for them to wait a moment to see Hulil and the elf's reaction to her arrival. She will time it as close as possible to Kotar and Durnham's arrival on the north bank.
Qidira moves into the room quietly, presenting an oft used child-like manner. "Miss Hulil? I'm sorry to disturb you, Tulgi sent me. Said you might be ill as she is." Speaking just loud enough for her to be heard without being abrupt. Trying to recall anything she may know about those tattoos .
“And I made a mistake going after you. Maybe this time everything will be fine.” Kotar answered to Durnham hoping that the words would become true. The water before didn’t have any effect on him, but neither did he know if the same could be said about Old Croaker’s pool nor he wanted to swim on it if he could avoid.
There was also the fact that his fighting style fitted particularly well with that of the wizard. A front liner and spellcaster specialized in distant attack. Thinking about it the fighter noticed that the same could be said about teaming up with Ressys. Fighting with Qidira could also work just as well since dexterous warriors tended to be good with bows. Just not a greatbow, he thought taking in consideration the rogue’s size.
“Looks like it’s our turn.” He said to Durnham as the giant frog returned. No sound of battle came from the other margin, suggesting that Hulil didn’t notice they approach yet. “Well, let’s do this.”
Riding on an oversized amphibian was one of the last things Kotar could have imagined himself experiencing as he left his clan, yet there he was. At last the spikes aren’t harming us, he told himself with the voice of his mind as their fast travel finished. Arriving on the other margin he was greeted by light, heat and the view of the painting of a five headed dragon. The goliath tried to remember if ever heard anything about such a beast.
Brandon stays behind Qidira, close to the mouth of the cavern, where he can view the occupants of the room and also check on the progress of Kotar and Durnham across the pond. He tries to make eye contact with the two, throwing up a quick hand signal indicating there are two enemy ahead. He is not sure if they see it in the dim light, but is pretty sure everyone already knows what they are looking for anyway.
Turning his attention back to the cavern, Brandon waits to see if there is any response to Qidira. He is not surprised to see the mark of the sickness on Hulil, all information they had indicated she was already ill. He was surprised to see the tattoos marking the elf and the dragon mural. He did not remember the others they fought having those markings and tries to recall if he recognizes either the tattoos or the dragon in the mural.
Durnham sees Brandon motioning on the other side in the darkness and whispers to Kotar in front of him “Brandon is indicating there’s two enemies in sight. He’s doing so silently so I assume stealth is the best option at the moment.”
Kotar and Durnham step onto the returning Old Croaker and take their own surreal trip across the pond on the huge frog’s back. The icy spikes would be useful handholds if they weren’t so cold; Kotar has less trouble with this though.
As the dwarf and the goliath reach the north bank, Qidira steps fully into Hulil’s chamber. The gnome convinces as a lost urchin, scanning the room imperceptibly as she speaks.
As soon as Qidira starts to speak, Hulil and the elf jolt awake from their meditation and look at her, eyes wide. The elf is silent as the dwarf responds almost disbelievingly, but with obvious hope “Tulgi? She sent you with the cure? No, wait, you say she’s ill too? Then why are you here if not to save me?!”
The elf reaches his hand across and takes Hulil's in his own; he shows no sign of the illness and seems concerned for his companion.
(Re: Tatoos and paintings: The painted figure is almost ubiquitous; it is Tiamat the evil dragon god. You can’t remember much more about them or their followers though. The elf’s tattoos match those worn by fervent followers of Tiamat)
Ressys, for his part, pays the images of the multi-headed dragon no mind. As they had finished the ride across the water he quickly croaked a thank you and then moved to follow Brandon and Qidira. He stayed in position as Brandon gestured to Durnham and Kotar that there were indeed 2 people back here. He smiled slightly to himself as he knew he could trust the Old Croaker.
Qidira then stepped out and called to Hulil and he heard Hulil's response. Still he waited in his position. If fighting started he would let Kotar and Brandon move in first. But he was beginning to trust the gnome. Hopefully their wouldn't be any fighting.
Qidira, pleased that they didn't become hostile, continues. Gesturing towards the entrance, "I'm here with others, we are trying to find the cause so that we can find the cure. May they come in? We would like to speak with you about the items Tulgi passed on as, so far, everything traces back to them." Speaking louder now so that at least Brandon can hear her, but not rudely so.
She makes a mental note that the elven companion is not seemingly affected by the illness so either has not been here long enough, has some form of protection from it, there's an elven immunity to it or its not contagious.
Brandon moves slowly in the room behind Qidiria, his eyes moving between Hulil and the elf. “We are here to try to save you, and the others, if we can. But we need to find out more about this sickness. So far, the only connection are those items Urgon recovered from Eiselcross. Everyone who has come into contact with them have become sick. What can you tell us of the items? Where are they now? They may provide a clue to a cure."
Brandon maintains a non-threatening posture with his shield lowered to his side, but his free hand is on his belt near his sword. He nods to the elf and asks Hulil “Tulgi did not mention others, who is your friend?”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Durnham eyes the painting as the frog approaches the bank.18 History.
Once the frog reaches the bank he will awkwardly pat the old croakers head as he dismounts. “Good... good frog,” and will head out after Brandon and where he went. Kotar keeping pace.
When he sees Hulil and the elf he will stop and hold his hands up empty save for his staff. “We aren’t here on behalf of any law enforcement. We aren’t concerned with any crimes that may have been committed right now. If you allow us, we can explain what’s happening. Tulgi told us where to find you and said to say she sent us. She is very very sick. We want to help but what we need is information.”
As the group enters and asks their questions, Hulil looks solemn – defeated, even.
“The vials” she says, staring at the floor “It was one of the glass vials. Such a lovely blue colour, I wanted to hold it close so I could make out the different flecks and grains that made it so”
She raises her head to look you in the eyes, each of you in turn “That’s when I noticed it was cracked, and the dust – spores – had escaped onto me. Huh, at least I found out what caused that lovely colour”
The elf squeezes Hulil’s hand and his eyes narrow in silent support, tattoos creasing with his face.
“Raegrin here has been trying to help me seek guidance from the Dragon Queen; maybe she brought you to save me?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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“You’re right Kotar, Hulil may not give us much choice, but we need her alive. She knows where the artifacts are or where they’re going. We need to talk to her and get that information.” He grits his teeth in frustration. It always comes down to knowledge. What they know or don’t know can be the difference between life and death.
Noob
Qidira nods at Kotar, "Maybe you're right. They cooperate with Hulil, maybe being here for her will be enough." She says absently running her fingers over the pommel of the new dagger waiting her turn. "If it wasn't so far away, I'd take a peek in that bucket. I can't think of what else it may be. I wonder what they feed him?"
Durnham offered his thoughts once again, this time followed by Qidira. The wizard convinced Kotar in few words that they needed Hulil alive while the rogue said that she would scout ahead if she could.
“I’m not sure I want to know what they use to feed the frogs.” He said to Qidira, fearing the group would have become the very answer if they were ever defeated in there. “I also thought about bringing the plank from the other pool, but this one seems larger so I don’t know if the improvised bridge would reach all the way to the other side.”
Maybe someone could measure the distance better. As far as he knew all of them dealt in ranged combat more than himself.
“If Old Croaker accepts taking all of us you could go in stealth, look if there is any trap or anything like that and make a signal for us. Waving a hand with a dagger if there’s no ambush and two if there is some.” At first, he thought about suggesting her to light a torch against the entrance of the next session of the cave, an idea soon abandoned, after all Hulil would surely see the light. “Then we go in, defeat the bandits, tie them and get the information we need?”
Kotar looked to Ressys and Brandon, waiting for their opinions. Maybe they would have a better plan. Admittedly the goliath was more accustomed to executing plans rather than making them, even if with help.
Ressys hesitates before climbing on the giant frog. He listens to the words of the others and then turns to Old Croaker.
"Is Hulil alone? Is she very sick? How far past the water is she? And can we bring you any food in thanks for aiding us?" he croaks the questions to Old Croaker.
Old Croaker waits a moment before answering Ressys’s questions: “Yes, all can come. Sick dwarf close with friend. Leathery birds taste nice”
Qidira studies the frog’s face and body language for any sign of deception but it is completely inscrutable (but a good idea and decent roll, but I need to invoke disadvantage for the language/species barrier and the fact OC is submerged – second roll please)
Qidira second roll for insight 8
Not understanding the Giant Frog's croaks, she waits for Ressys to translate. (see I can be taught.)
“You are right, Kotar, we must be prepared for anything” Brandon moves to climb on the frog with Ressys “But let’s see what we are dealing with. I will cross first with Ressys, just in case there is trouble.” He turns to Qidira “Perhaps you could join us and scout ahead? You are light, it should not be too much trouble with the three of us.”
Brandon looks at the dark water. He trusts Ressys, but is a little wary of the frog. Still, Hulil and the others must have crossed somehow. He tightens his hold on his gear and prepares to move across.
(OOC: If I read correctly, Ressys is already on board. If Old Croaker can hold 2-3, we can make the first trip without leaving one person alone on the far side.)
The dwarf looks up at Kotar. “I’d rather go across with you anyway. Last time I made a mistake going across before you.”
Noob
Ressys, Qidira and Brandon step onto the giant frog’s back and it sinks slightly under the weight, his slippery back making a tricky surface. Then Old Croaker turns slowly and swims over to the north edge of the pool where his passengers disembark.
The pathway here takes a sharp left turn and is almost immediately into a cavern. A warm rush of heat comes from a massive fire burning in the center of this cavern, its smoke venting up through a narrow stone chimney. The flames illuminate a rough painting of a five-headed dragon that dominates the north wall. A bedroll is spread out beneath the mural. Near the crackling blaze, a dwarf bundled in a heavy cloak sits on a stone chest beside an elf whose face is covered in dragon tattoos, both of them appear to be deep in meditation and have not noticed you.
The dwarf’s face is streaked with pulsing blue veins.
Outside the cavern, Old Croaker bobs back to the south bank and waits for Kotar and Durnham to board.
Durnham will wait for Kotar to climb aboard and will climb up after the Goliath.
Noob
Nods to Brandon's inquiry, "Of course, I'll see how they respond." Qidira peeks in and gestures to the other two for them to wait a moment to see Hulil and the elf's reaction to her arrival. She will time it as close as possible to Kotar and Durnham's arrival on the north bank.
Qidira moves into the room quietly, presenting an oft used child-like manner. "Miss Hulil? I'm sorry to disturb you, Tulgi sent me. Said you might be ill as she is." Speaking just loud enough for her to be heard without being abrupt. Trying to recall anything she may know about those tattoos .
( Arcana or history 19 )
“And I made a mistake going after you. Maybe this time everything will be fine.” Kotar answered to Durnham hoping that the words would become true. The water before didn’t have any effect on him, but neither did he know if the same could be said about Old Croaker’s pool nor he wanted to swim on it if he could avoid.
There was also the fact that his fighting style fitted particularly well with that of the wizard. A front liner and spellcaster specialized in distant attack. Thinking about it the fighter noticed that the same could be said about teaming up with Ressys. Fighting with Qidira could also work just as well since dexterous warriors tended to be good with bows. Just not a greatbow, he thought taking in consideration the rogue’s size.
“Looks like it’s our turn.” He said to Durnham as the giant frog returned. No sound of battle came from the other margin, suggesting that Hulil didn’t notice they approach yet. “Well, let’s do this.”
Riding on an oversized amphibian was one of the last things Kotar could have imagined himself experiencing as he left his clan, yet there he was. At last the spikes aren’t harming us, he told himself with the voice of his mind as their fast travel finished. Arriving on the other margin he was greeted by light, heat and the view of the painting of a five headed dragon. The goliath tried to remember if ever heard anything about such a beast.
Religion Check: 6
Brandon stays behind Qidira, close to the mouth of the cavern, where he can view the occupants of the room and also check on the progress of Kotar and Durnham across the pond. He tries to make eye contact with the two, throwing up a quick hand signal indicating there are two enemy ahead. He is not sure if they see it in the dim light, but is pretty sure everyone already knows what they are looking for anyway.
Turning his attention back to the cavern, Brandon waits to see if there is any response to Qidira. He is not surprised to see the mark of the sickness on Hulil, all information they had indicated she was already ill. He was surprised to see the tattoos marking the elf and the dragon mural. He did not remember the others they fought having those markings and tries to recall if he recognizes either the tattoos or the dragon in the mural.
History 10
Durnham sees Brandon motioning on the other side in the darkness and whispers to Kotar in front of him “Brandon is indicating there’s two enemies in sight. He’s doing so silently so I assume stealth is the best option at the moment.”
Noob
Kotar and Durnham step onto the returning Old Croaker and take their own surreal trip across the pond on the huge frog’s back. The icy spikes would be useful handholds if they weren’t so cold; Kotar has less trouble with this though.
As the dwarf and the goliath reach the north bank, Qidira steps fully into Hulil’s chamber. The gnome convinces as a lost urchin, scanning the room imperceptibly as she speaks.
As soon as Qidira starts to speak, Hulil and the elf jolt awake from their meditation and look at her, eyes wide. The elf is silent as the dwarf responds almost disbelievingly, but with obvious hope “Tulgi? She sent you with the cure? No, wait, you say she’s ill too? Then why are you here if not to save me?!”
The elf reaches his hand across and takes Hulil's in his own; he shows no sign of the illness and seems concerned for his companion.
(Re: Tatoos and paintings: The painted figure is almost ubiquitous; it is Tiamat the evil dragon god. You can’t remember much more about them or their followers though. The elf’s tattoos match those worn by fervent followers of Tiamat)
Ressys, for his part, pays the images of the multi-headed dragon no mind. As they had finished the ride across the water he quickly croaked a thank you and then moved to follow Brandon and Qidira. He stayed in position as Brandon gestured to Durnham and Kotar that there were indeed 2 people back here. He smiled slightly to himself as he knew he could trust the Old Croaker.
Qidira then stepped out and called to Hulil and he heard Hulil's response. Still he waited in his position. If fighting started he would let Kotar and Brandon move in first. But he was beginning to trust the gnome. Hopefully their wouldn't be any fighting.
So he waited to see what would happen.
Qidira, pleased that they didn't become hostile, continues. Gesturing towards the entrance, "I'm here with others, we are trying to find the cause so that we can find the cure. May they come in? We would like to speak with you about the items Tulgi passed on as, so far, everything traces back to them." Speaking louder now so that at least Brandon can hear her, but not rudely so.
She makes a mental note that the elven companion is not seemingly affected by the illness so either has not been here long enough, has some form of protection from it, there's an elven immunity to it or its not contagious.
Brandon moves slowly in the room behind Qidiria, his eyes moving between Hulil and the elf. “We are here to try to save you, and the others, if we can. But we need to find out more about this sickness. So far, the only connection are those items Urgon recovered from Eiselcross. Everyone who has come into contact with them have become sick. What can you tell us of the items? Where are they now? They may provide a clue to a cure."
Brandon maintains a non-threatening posture with his shield lowered to his side, but his free hand is on his belt near his sword. He nods to the elf and asks Hulil “Tulgi did not mention others, who is your friend?”
Durnham eyes the painting as the frog approaches the bank.18 History.
Once the frog reaches the bank he will awkwardly pat the old croakers head as he dismounts. “Good... good frog,” and will head out after Brandon and where he went. Kotar keeping pace.
When he sees Hulil and the elf he will stop and hold his hands up empty save for his staff. “We aren’t here on behalf of any law enforcement. We aren’t concerned with any crimes that may have been committed right now. If you allow us, we can explain what’s happening. Tulgi told us where to find you and said to say she sent us. She is very very sick. We want to help but what we need is information.”
Noob
Hulil nods to Qidira: “Yes, bring them in”
As the group enters and asks their questions, Hulil looks solemn – defeated, even.
“The vials” she says, staring at the floor “It was one of the glass vials. Such a lovely blue colour, I wanted to hold it close so I could make out the different flecks and grains that made it so”
She raises her head to look you in the eyes, each of you in turn “That’s when I noticed it was cracked, and the dust – spores – had escaped onto me. Huh, at least I found out what caused that lovely colour”
The elf squeezes Hulil’s hand and his eyes narrow in silent support, tattoos creasing with his face.
“Raegrin here has been trying to help me seek guidance from the Dragon Queen; maybe she brought you to save me?”