"That doesn't sound good. I take it we're killing them all on sight... or do we want to keep one alive for questioning? I heard they have hidden treasure up here somewhere on the moors."
Calner is a little excited, both by the current situation he's in, the looming threat of the red wizard necromancers, and that he's seems to fit in and be accepted among the party.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
<Deception checks made are opposed by insight checks if anyone wants see if Calner is being forthright. I'll note, since B_A joines a bit late, Lothar at the tavern just got back from leading the Thayans most of the way here the previous night. So, last night is the answer.>
Marlyth has been listening to the conversation eagerly while sending quick glances at the side of the Bugbear 'Vrah', she seems anxious about his presence in the adventuring party.
When the Gnome Sorcerer introduces himself as 'Calner', the Tiefling woman had acknowledged his presence with a slight nod. Then she continues to narrate:
"We, the Hybsils hail from the Southern region of Faerun too, do you wish to reveal the name of your domicile? And..."
She halts abruptly and attempts to put down the lid of the chest playfully where Weneon has been trying to hide so that she remains locked inside. Then she adds something regarding the whereabout of the treasure:
"The townsfolk of Secomber told me something about the unclaimed treasure. I think you all should be aware of such rumors or lore, personally I'm a bit superstitious and I believe it"- she's seen fidgeting with her Totem when she mutters under her breath:
"A black dracolich called 'Calathanorgoth' or 'The Old One' has perhaps made her home upon the treasure and still remains in the ruin, possibly with her children and descendants. I wonder if she's really possessive about the treasure."
"Possessive? You're wondering if an ancient undead dragon is possessive of its treasure?"Tabaqui smirks. "I'm going to go out on a limb and guess... 'yes'." "Speaking of which," he continues, glaring at Calner and in the general direction of Weneon, "I hope you new guys aren't planning on an equal share of the treasure. Latecomers get leftovers."
"That's alright, you Bigfolk leave a lot behind" Weneon is unfettered. She simply moves among the party, picking up knic-knacs along the way of there are any.
"You all seem very gruff, is there a reason for that? We're you abused as children? If so I know some breathing techniques that can really help get over things." She says all of this with a toddler like honesty with no fear of social stigma or rebuttal.
"Oh, ah... it's much further South than the Hybsils um... what was your name fair lady?" Calner responds to Marlyth trying to divert the conversation away from where they're from.
Deception: 22 (unless the other one somehow still counts?)
"I'm sure there's more than enough treasure to go around good elf... sir... I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone's name. My name is Calner, as I've said, and I'll be taking the share of the treasure I feel I deserve. Those of you who remain after we face the red wizards and dracolich can be the judge of whether or not I deserve it."
Calner uses Telepathic Speech to address Tabaqui:
"As small as I am it would be a mistake to judge me purely by my size. I will prove my worth against those who stand between us and the treasure, have no fear of that. It's these others you should worry about. Which of them can handle themselves in a fight and who will need our help?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"A rightful place awaits you in the Realms Above, in the Land of the Great Light. Come in peace, and live beneath the sun again, where trees and flowers grow."
— The message of Eilistraee to all decent drow.
"Run thy sword across my chains, Silver Lady, that I may join your dance.”
Vrah growls at Weneon, "I used to be a slave to the Thayans and used daily as a target dummy for their combat training. Only reason why I was able to escape is somehow my body absorbed the magic they threw at me and then lashed back out of my body. Sometimes I can control it but mostly it does what it wants, harming those around me I want to harm." Then with a wide toothy grin, "Mostly harm those around me I want to harm, mostly."
"That's interesting, does it also manifest in diarrhea of the mouth?"
She does a quick cartwheel across a bed with a giggle.
"I kid, slavery is bad and the people that did that to you are bad. I'll help you how I can, if you'll accept it. We don't have to be friends, but it would probably help."
She squares up with Vrah and makes eye contact with him in a persistent unshakable calm
Weneon, peeking around one of the crates, spots a secret door. It is little more than a hatch behind the empty chest, obscured by dried mud and a slab meant to look like part of the wall.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(OOC: sorry guys. had a family thing come up so I haven't been able to sit down to read the responses and come up with a reply. I'll be making one shortly)
After observing the stele and medallion Safeguard wishes to study the items more carefully. But seeing the rest of his party moving ahead quickly changes his mind to catch up as he is prone to getting lost (so he did not have enough time to complete the ritual).
Then Tabaqui pulls his stunt with the medallion and Safeguard is in awe. Again his curiosity drew him back to the stele and then back to the now glowing pistons in the other room, but he reminds himself that if he does not keep up with the group he may find getting lost to be the least of his issues. So he proceeds onwards towards the next rooms while suppressing his insatiable urges.
After reaching the final room where the rest of his party was he realizes they have a new addition. He looks toward the gnome, "Why hello! I don't believe we have formerly met. My name is Safeguard. I was once a used as a test subject for safeguards the engineers created for their devices. Therefore the name. Oh oh, I think I overheard someone else talking about being used as a test dummy. Who was it? We must trade dummy stories with each other!!! I've got loads with the engineers. I do miss them though, they taught me everything I know..."
At the corner of his eye he notices Weneon amongst the crates, "Oh my you little one. You easily can get lost amongst this debris." Then he looks at what Weneon spots and sees the secret door. "Why... did find another secret?"
He goes over to the door and pulls out his thieves' tools and investigates the door. Without touching the door he tries to see if there are any discernable traps that could trigger this door.
Investigation Check: 25
If he doesn't notice any traps he will attempt to open the door. If the door is locked he will use his tools in an attempt to unlock it
<Anyone can act in response to the trapped door found by Weneon. The marching order is repeated below. State if you'd like to change your position. This also serves as a suggested posting order. Go ahead and ignore it for this secret door.>
(The "trapped" door? do you mean trapdoor, or did he actually find a trap?)
Angus Killburney's enthusiasm is slowly waning, but he is eager to see what lies beneath the secret door. When it is opened, he will peer through, and descend if there is a discernable mechanism to do so.
Sorry if my autocorrect made it seem trapped. It's not. Opening the door, Weneon finds a little stone altar just two feet wide stands here buriedin black dirt at the foot of a narrow chimney that seemsto have fallen in. Something glints amid the dirt. The hidden shrine itself is half-buried in dirt and loam at the bottom of a once-empty chimney, meantto allow the shrine to see the stars. Whatever deitywas once honored here, all that remains are melted candles, 1 sp, and a medallion just like the one that hung from the stele when you entered.
At this moment, Vrahvand Weneon hold the identical medallions.
Looking in thenext room: Murals along three walls portray figures in bright robes of green or red or blue marching in file through an ab- stract environment suggesting perhaps a bright garden and stained glass. These figures are all human in size but depicted in various fashions and styles beneath their robes. The procession carry trays of fire, lit incense, and silver toward the doorway at the far end of the chamber, which opens to a flight if descending stairs. The south wall is bare, unfinished slabs of stone, marking the original outer edge of the barrow.
<using the perception check from above>
Weneon notices a narrow wooden section hidden under the plaster, decorated by a figure in green robes with one hand over his eyes.
<assuming you enter...>
From inside, the northern and eastern walls of this room appear translucent, though hazy and smeared, like peering through rainy glass. Looking through the walls, you can see the chamber with the murals and the descended stair beyond.
<I'm calling on Safeguard to lead the party down to the next level. >
Marlyth has introduced herself to the Sorcerer but she hasn't shown any interest to contemplate the authenticity of his claim.
When Safeguard takes the responsibility for leading the party down to the next level, she decides to cast Conjure Animals. Four fey creatures appear surrounding the party to occupy unoccupied spaces when Marlyth whispers to the spirit of the nature and uses her Totem to summon them temporarily within the range of 60 feet. The creatures take the form of beasts that are inhabitant of the Moorland and they wait for her command words.
She whispers to one of the creatures: "Move forward and scout the place". She has sent instructions for others to guard the party so that nobody else attempts to harm them.
(@Wile_E_Coyote, Please roll for the marching order of the scout, thanks.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(going back in time)
"Gruff? Abused? Nah, although I did grow up on the streets of the Waterdeep slums. When you're poor and skinny, you learn quickly to scavenge for yourself, mate. Treasure is the only way to pull yourself up out of that kind of life, and so I make sure that I get my share."
(present time)
Tabaqui lingers behind the main party, making sure nothing valuable gets overlooked. As he follows them into the next room, and down the stairs, he attempts to move stealthily, in an effort to remain unnoticed among the noisy clatter of his companions.
<Fortuitous timing all. I was just going ro poi t out the importance of the mechanic of marching order in exploration and you e seized upon it. No rolls necessary, it was just a starting point. Players decide where they are in the order. Tabaqui is at the back, scouts are at the front. I do want to give everyone a chance to post though, that's why I point out players in the marching order. Technically there's no order to exploration, it's just a suggestion. That changes changes we roll initiative.>
Looking through the hazy transparent walls, you see the spirit scout descend the stairs.
The robed figures on these walls wear detailed, multi-colored robes with cuffs and hems adorned with magic words and sigils. Some of these figures wear long beards or long braids; others are clad in buckled bands of leather and sleek leggings. Each one is depicted carrying treasures or offerings toward the stairs that descend deeper ahead.
...
<ooc: it uses the stats of the creature, right? So what is it? I got 'something that lives on the moors,' but what?>
(Oops. Bugbear! Sorry!)
Tabaqui is keeping mental notes on the locations of the valuables (silver goblets, etc).
"That doesn't sound good. I take it we're killing them all on sight... or do we want to keep one alive for questioning? I heard they have hidden treasure up here somewhere on the moors."
Calner is a little excited, both by the current situation he's in, the looming threat of the red wizard necromancers, and that he's seems to fit in and be accepted among the party.
<Deception checks made are opposed by insight checks if anyone wants see if Calner is being forthright. I'll note, since B_A joines a bit late, Lothar at the tavern just got back from leading the Thayans most of the way here the previous night. So, last night is the answer.>
Marlyth has been listening to the conversation eagerly while sending quick glances at the side of the Bugbear 'Vrah', she seems anxious about his presence in the adventuring party.
When the Gnome Sorcerer introduces himself as 'Calner', the Tiefling woman had acknowledged his presence with a slight nod. Then she continues to narrate:
"We, the Hybsils hail from the Southern region of Faerun too, do you wish to reveal the name of your domicile? And..."
She halts abruptly and attempts to put down the lid of the chest playfully where Weneon has been trying to hide so that she remains locked inside. Then she adds something regarding the whereabout of the treasure:
"The townsfolk of Secomber told me something about the unclaimed treasure. I think you all should be aware of such rumors or lore, personally I'm a bit superstitious and I believe it"- she's seen fidgeting with her Totem when she mutters under her breath:
"A black dracolich called 'Calathanorgoth' or 'The Old One' has perhaps made her home upon the treasure and still remains in the ruin, possibly with her children and descendants. I wonder if she's really possessive about the treasure."
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
"Possessive? You're wondering if an ancient undead dragon is possessive of its treasure?" Tabaqui smirks. "I'm going to go out on a limb and guess... 'yes'."
"Speaking of which," he continues, glaring at Calner and in the general direction of Weneon, "I hope you new guys aren't planning on an equal share of the treasure. Latecomers get leftovers."
"That's alright, you Bigfolk leave a lot behind" Weneon is unfettered. She simply moves among the party, picking up knic-knacs along the way of there are any.
"You all seem very gruff, is there a reason for that? We're you abused as children? If so I know some breathing techniques that can really help get over things." She says all of this with a toddler like honesty with no fear of social stigma or rebuttal.
"Oh, ah... it's much further South than the Hybsils um... what was your name fair lady?" Calner responds to Marlyth trying to divert the conversation away from where they're from.
Deception: 22 (unless the other one somehow still counts?)
"I'm sure there's more than enough treasure to go around good elf... sir... I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone's name. My name is Calner, as I've said, and I'll be taking the share of the treasure I feel I deserve. Those of you who remain after we face the red wizards and dracolich can be the judge of whether or not I deserve it."
Calner uses Telepathic Speech to address Tabaqui:
"As small as I am it would be a mistake to judge me purely by my size. I will prove my worth against those who stand between us and the treasure, have no fear of that. It's these others you should worry about. Which of them can handle themselves in a fight and who will need our help?"
Vrah growls at Weneon, "I used to be a slave to the Thayans and used daily as a target dummy for their combat training. Only reason why I was able to escape is somehow my body absorbed the magic they threw at me and then lashed back out of my body. Sometimes I can control it but mostly it does what it wants, harming those around me I want to harm." Then with a wide toothy grin, "Mostly harm those around me I want to harm, mostly."
"That's interesting, does it also manifest in diarrhea of the mouth?"
She does a quick cartwheel across a bed with a giggle.
"I kid, slavery is bad and the people that did that to you are bad. I'll help you how I can, if you'll accept it. We don't have to be friends, but it would probably help."
She squares up with Vrah and makes eye contact with him in a persistent unshakable calm
Weneon, peeking around one of the crates, spots a secret door. It is little more than a hatch behind the empty chest, obscured by dried mud and a slab meant to look like part of the wall.
(OOC: sorry guys. had a family thing come up so I haven't been able to sit down to read the responses and come up with a reply. I'll be making one shortly)
After observing the stele and medallion Safeguard wishes to study the items more carefully. But seeing the rest of his party moving ahead quickly changes his mind to catch up as he is prone to getting lost (so he did not have enough time to complete the ritual).
Then Tabaqui pulls his stunt with the medallion and Safeguard is in awe. Again his curiosity drew him back to the stele and then back to the now glowing pistons in the other room, but he reminds himself that if he does not keep up with the group he may find getting lost to be the least of his issues. So he proceeds onwards towards the next rooms while suppressing his insatiable urges.
After reaching the final room where the rest of his party was he realizes they have a new addition. He looks toward the gnome, "Why hello! I don't believe we have formerly met. My name is Safeguard. I was once a used as a test subject for safeguards the engineers created for their devices. Therefore the name. Oh oh, I think I overheard someone else talking about being used as a test dummy. Who was it? We must trade dummy stories with each other!!! I've got loads with the engineers. I do miss them though, they taught me everything I know..."
At the corner of his eye he notices Weneon amongst the crates, "Oh my you little one. You easily can get lost amongst this debris." Then he looks at what Weneon spots and sees the secret door. "Why... did find another secret?"
He goes over to the door and pulls out his thieves' tools and investigates the door. Without touching the door he tries to see if there are any discernable traps that could trigger this door.
Investigation Check: 25
If he doesn't notice any traps he will attempt to open the door. If the door is locked he will use his tools in an attempt to unlock it
Dexterity Check: 12
Intelligence Check: 12
(OOC: I put Dex and Int for whichever applies)
<Anyone can act in response to the trapped door found by Weneon. The marching order is repeated below. State if you'd like to change your position. This also serves as a suggested posting order. Go ahead and ignore it for this secret door.>
1. Tabaqui
2. Safeguard (+)
3. Vrah
4. Angus
5. Marlyth
6. Weneon
7. Calner
(The "trapped" door? do you mean trapdoor, or did he actually find a trap?)
Angus Killburney's enthusiasm is slowly waning, but he is eager to see what lies beneath the secret door. When it is opened, he will peer through, and descend if there is a discernable mechanism to do so.
Weneon doesn't hesitate if the door is opened by Safeguard. She peeks her head in and looks for anything interesting
Investigation: 17
Sorry if my autocorrect made it seem trapped. It's not. Opening the door, Weneon finds a little stone altar just two feet wide stands here buriedin black dirt at the foot of a narrow chimney that seemsto have fallen in. Something glints amid the dirt. The hidden shrine itself is half-buried in dirt and loam at the bottom of a once-empty chimney, meantto allow the shrine to see the stars. Whatever deitywas once honored here, all that remains are melted candles, 1 sp, and a medallion just like the one that hung from the stele when you entered.
At this moment, Vrahvand Weneon hold the identical medallions.
Looking in thenext room:
Murals along three walls portray figures in bright robes
of green or red or blue marching in file through an ab-
stract environment suggesting perhaps a bright garden
and stained glass. These figures are all human in size
but depicted in various fashions and styles beneath
their robes. The procession carry trays of fire, lit incense, and silver toward the doorway at the far end of the chamber, which opens to a flight if descending stairs. The south wall is bare, unfinished slabs of
stone, marking the original outer edge of the barrow.
<using the perception check from above>
Weneon notices a narrow wooden section hidden under the plaster, decorated by a figure in green robes with one hand over his eyes.
<assuming you enter...>
From inside, the northern and eastern walls of this room appear translucent, though hazy and smeared, like peering through rainy glass. Looking through the walls, you can see the chamber with the murals and the descended stair beyond.
<I'm calling on Safeguard to lead the party down to the next level. >
Marlyth has introduced herself to the Sorcerer but she hasn't shown any interest to contemplate the authenticity of his claim.
When Safeguard takes the responsibility for leading the party down to the next level, she decides to cast Conjure Animals. Four fey creatures appear surrounding the party to occupy unoccupied spaces when Marlyth whispers to the spirit of the nature and uses her Totem to summon them temporarily within the range of 60 feet. The creatures take the form of beasts that are inhabitant of the Moorland and they wait for her command words.
She whispers to one of the creatures: "Move forward and scout the place". She has sent instructions for others to guard the party so that nobody else attempts to harm them.
(@Wile_E_Coyote, Please roll for the marching order of the scout, thanks.)
InkedBee (Undead_Analyst)
Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts - Jenviel Tsumara: Fallen Aasimar- Monk|Crimson Sands of Time - Navarra Iltazyara: Human- Druid/Warlock| Bleak Prospect - Ermasnietsz: Reborn- Clockwork Soul Sorcerer
(going back in time)
"Gruff? Abused? Nah, although I did grow up on the streets of the Waterdeep slums. When you're poor and skinny, you learn quickly to scavenge for yourself, mate. Treasure is the only way to pull yourself up out of that kind of life, and so I make sure that I get my share."
(present time)
Tabaqui lingers behind the main party, making sure nothing valuable gets overlooked. As he follows them into the next room, and down the stairs, he attempts to move stealthily, in an effort to remain unnoticed among the noisy clatter of his companions.
Stealth: 20
<Fortuitous timing all. I was just going ro poi t out the importance of the mechanic of marching order in exploration and you e seized upon it. No rolls necessary, it was just a starting point. Players decide where they are in the order. Tabaqui is at the back, scouts are at the front. I do want to give everyone a chance to post though, that's why I point out players in the marching order. Technically there's no order to exploration, it's just a suggestion. That changes changes we roll initiative.>
Looking through the hazy transparent walls, you see the spirit scout descend the stairs.
The robed figures on these walls wear detailed, multi-colored robes with cuffs and hems adorned with magic words and sigils. Some of these figures wear long beards or long braids; others are clad in buckled bands of leather and sleek leggings. Each one is depicted carrying treasures or offerings toward the stairs that descend deeper ahead.
...
<ooc: it uses the stats of the creature, right? So what is it? I got 'something that lives on the moors,' but what?>
Weneon approaches Vrah and tries to sneak the silver piece into his pocket.
Sleight of Hand: 22
This would put her just behind Vrah in marching order