Kirari eyes the sally port door and the key in her hand. "I don't think I could forgive myself if I left them out there to deal with the raiders on their own. Will you accompany me?" She asks of him and the others.
She calls out to Cale when she spots him, "Cale, I must go check on that family since I have the chance. Will you join us?"
The gnome looks up at the new arrival and listens to his introduction over the cacophony of panicked people bustling around in panic.
"Good to meet you professor! Any help would be grand indeed. So, the way I see it," he looks around at everyone in the group. "We have a dragon inbound in minutes, some cultists outside the keep that need attention, and one of which we need to take alive for Nighthill, and a family to save who are locked in a cellar somewhere outside the walls. Professor, being a man of strategy, which path do we follow first. I would be happy for you to take lead, as I'm sure you know the area well."
He whispers to Kirari, "plus, I'm still hungry and he looks like he could sniff out a dinner table a mile off. He he."
Travis listens carefully to the newcomer, having learned long ago that neither appearance nor social status are what you should judge a person by--first, it's deeds and second (by a long measure) words. The man sounds like he knows what he's talking about.
"Welcome Thad," the armored fighter says, not caring too much for titles, nor book learning. "Call me Travis. I like the idea of coming up behind them. Or at least we can get a look and decide to NOT come up behind them if there are too many of them. But I say we rescue whomever we can first, then concentrate on getting a cultist captured. And I do not think there is anything we can do about the dragon, except hope that everyone gets under cover quickly."
“Hello Travis, pleased to meet you. Yes, I don’t know how we might drive the dragon off... frankly, that’s a beast beyond any of our abilities. Best we avoid that thing at all cost. Now where is this family you keep mentioning? Behind the enemy lines or encircled by the enemy?” He looks at the group and smiles reassuringly. “I agree, we should save as many villagers as we can though perhaps driving off the invaders is the best way to do that. Best defense being a strong offense as the saying goes”
“Capturing a cultist shouldn’t pose too much trouble as long as someone has some rope to secure the fool. I can be quite persuasive if we can corner one alone. I’m sure I could convince him or her to give up rather than die.”
Kirari speaks up at the last. "I have rope," then looks to make sure she retrieved it from that last batch of prisoners...(DM? would she have been able to? I might not have specified so she might now be out of luck). "Lillian and her family were one of the first we met coming into the area, so they might be beyond the raiders, this key leads to a spot even past that. Where Beatrice, a soldier we encountered approaching the village, was stationed." and thinking of Beatrice, "She might be stuck out there still. She was already wounded and trying to get back. If we could find her as well she may have learned more."
Looking up at the sky, "We must decide quickly though, we're not in a safe spot."
Travis chimes in as well."I have a rope too,"he says. "I will try not to run through at least one cultist, I suppose."
Glancing up at the sky, following Kirari's lead, he adds: "At least we ourselves will be safe from the dragon in the passageway to the outskirts of town, right? I am ready to move out. We can make more plans along the way."
The guard from a few moments ago had his ear to the listening device and shouts over to the party, "Dragon is heading straight for the keep and should be here in 10 minutes; townsfolk have taken cover. I heard Escobert say you may be heading down to the creek." He motions to a large trapdoor about 5 yards away from the companions. "That door will get you to the hidden gate; may the gods be with you!"
(It looks like Travis has the rope covered, but there was some rope with the mule to tie it up if Kiari wants to try and take that, or she may decide to keep the mule tied up safely in the keep)
The professor looks at the guard and the indicated trapdoor. He licks his lips and sweat begins forming on his forehead. His eyes get a wild look and begin darting around in fear. But then, he closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths, when he opens them again he’s grinning with excitement. He lifts his arms and gestures the 4 of you together.
“Gather around and listen a few moments. We are about to take a big step. I don’t know you, and you don’t know me. But that’s ok, because none of us want to die here right?” And he pauses and looks at them all. “We are stuck here together, cornered in this keep but you know what? Nothing is more dangerous than a cornered animal with nothing to lose. We have a common enemy, and a common purpose, and that makes us a team. So we are a team of dangerous animals. Let’s direct our fear, our anger, our hope, and our sense of survival on busting out of here, saving as many people as we can, and breaking the encirclement.”
He takes a big breath and chuckles, “Is it always like this just before a battle? The fear? The excitement? I think I need to piss.” And he laughs, “ahhh I haven’t felt this much excitement in years! You all look positively fearsome, and if you look scary to me, you’ll look absolutely terrifying to an enemy as we come crashing into their backs. Use the element of surprise, there’s probably more of them than us but they’re spread out while we are few and together, like a fist! Trust each other, work together, listen to each other and stay together. We can do this, together! if you see that dragon coming your way, run, hide, get away, or find some cover, don’t throw your life away fighting a battle you can’t win, that won’t save anyone.”
(This will continue on for 10 minutes, encouraging, breaking the tension with humor, and stressing the importance of teamwork. Enact: inspiring leader feat. All of us gain 4 temporary hit points.)
Cale checks his weapons and then says to the group "Sounds like we have a plan - get to Beatrice and set her on the road to safety. Attack some cultists and nab one, then take cover in the underground corridor while the dragon levels everything"
He opens the trapdoor and appraises Thaddeus with a curious eye, "You talk a lot, Father Time, and I don't know why but I like it. If you can keep up with those of us that are looking forward to Winter Solstice then you can come along"
With that the rogue heads out, ready to discuss any plan changes on the way.
Kirari secures the key to the door away in her pocket noting the Rogue fidgeted it open without even thinking about it and decides to leave the rope tied to the Mule as it would be safer where it was and available should anyone need it.
'Thank you Thaddeus, usually I'm not one for long winded inspirational speeches, but I like you. Actually had something to say! I feel better just listening to you." She says with a hearty slap on the back. (appreciate the buff)
"I'm thinking spotting Beatrice quickly (hopefully she's ok) as she could get LIllian and family back for us while we nab some more raiders and cultists?"
The professor nods to Kirari, “Sounds like a plan, let’s see what we find once we get out. After you my green friend.” And he gestures towards the trapdoor. The Professor will wait until the larger, half-orc climbs down before following himself.
Travis nods several times during Thaddeus's dissertation on teamwork, recognizing some good points. They were the sort of thing he had learned as a boy, before all his aspirations about knighthood and the like had been shattered. He'd been part of more than one mercenary company, and what the professor said about working as a team rang true. He'd seen those who tried to do too much on their own, those who thought they were the center of everything, cause pain, misery and death for themselves and many others. He would never be that sort of fighter, he had sworn, and the old man's words steeled his spine to that long-standing vow.
"Well said," he finally says, a glint in his gray eyes as he gives the man a nod. Then he follows the others, ready for whatever may come.
As the group descends through the trapdoor down a wooden ladder, you are now in a cellar that is about 50 square feet in size. There is a torch burning on the wall, which offers some dim light to the room.
There is not any furniture to speak of, but there are some barrels and crates in front of a worn looking door. One of the crates has an abandoned lunch on it (half a pork sandwich and a third of a cup of mead) in case anyone wants to claim it ;)
The door is similar in size to others in the keep, but this one has an iron-looking lock on it under the handle.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kirari pulls out the key from her pocket, having thought the rogue had worked the previous lock and shook her head amused at the mistake. She listens a brief second perception14 , then unlocks the iron lock and opens the door for whomever wishes to go first (taking lead if noone else desires it) . Now out of view of those above, she hands some of the recovered loot to each of them quickly, "We'll have expenses and these items wouldn't have made it back to the original owners anyways," as a brief explanation. "I see very well in any light, but if it gets too dark for anyone, I can cast a light at intervals along the wall as we go to keep the area lit or on an item should you prefer."
@all Loot note:
If you noted the prior amount of loot on your character sheet, add 1g 4c if you hadn't add the full 6g 2s 4c . I did include the necklace that Breena claimed in this total so if you prefer items vs money, I can break it out in valuables instead of coin for anyone interested. The necklace claimed by Breena was 2 sp value. As Thaddeus replaces someone else who would have claimed a share, I'm suggesting that he take this share. DM has ok'd to just take coin value if we wish. If we wish to change this, let me know and I'll track differently. I hope this makes sense. - your humble treasurer.
After quietly accepting and pocketing the loot, Travis offers to go down ahead of Kirari, then pauses as she talks about light. "I cannot see in the dark,"he says matter-of-factly, using excellent diction that doesn't quite match his drab appearance. "I do not mind walking in front, though I am slow and unquiet in this armor. You can light my sword if you wish."
Thaddeus waits patiently as Kiari unlocks the door. When she mentions light, he joins in with Travis stating “I do not see in the dark either and would appreciate some assistance as well.” He hangs back not wishing to be in the front of the group. “I shall take the rear guard, as it were, I am a bit more armored than you little one. I will be a bit of protection for you from behind.” He looks down at the gnome and smiles warmly, “I’m sorry friend, but I don’t think I got your name?”
Kirari nods to Travis, "Draw your blade, I can light it, then should you wish to douse the light, you can sheathe it." If he is in agreement, she casts light on his blade.(20 feet of bright light, then 20 more of dim for an hour.)
Continuing on their path she says to Thaddeus,"Do you have a similar item you'd wish me to light? Or I could illuminate the walls as we walk?"
She looks around to the others, "Please know that many of my abilities require a brief touch upon your person to share them. Should anyone be averse to this, let me know."
Travis nods and draws his sword, holding it out in front of himself for Kirari to light. He then turns and heads down the passageway at the front of the group, sword and shield at the ready.
The door opens for Kiari and the party, and they walk through the passageway illuminated by Travis's sword. The passage is only wide enough to travel single file, and the floor is a bit muddy with the occasional puddle. The passageway is dug out from underground with beams supporting the tunnel every few yards. The ceiling is about 7 feet high, so taller characters may feel like they need to crouch a bit to fit.
There is really only one way to go: straight ahead. There are not any creatures in the tunnel, and it looks like it is in pretty good shape (aside from the random small cobweb on a support beam or a worm crawling out of the earth).
After the first few minutes of travel, the party would feel the earth shake a bit (like a minor tremor), but the beams all hold (maybe a spider falls out of its web a little stunned).
Does the party continue on or turn back? (Also just double checking that Cale and Inglenook are in the tunnel).
Cale takes a place in the middle of the group, putting away the hooded lantern he had been extracting from his pack until Kiari started making things glow.
"I'm fine with anything that will keep me alive" he says to the half-orc, frankly.
As the group heads down the corridor, the impacts startle him: "If this tunnel comes down around us then we're not helping anyone - or living long enough to collect any reward. MOVE!"
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Kirari eyes the sally port door and the key in her hand. "I don't think I could forgive myself if I left them out there to deal with the raiders on their own. Will you accompany me?" She asks of him and the others.
She calls out to Cale when she spots him, "Cale, I must go check on that family since I have the chance. Will you join us?"
The gnome looks up at the new arrival and listens to his introduction over the cacophony of panicked people bustling around in panic.
"Good to meet you professor! Any help would be grand indeed. So, the way I see it," he looks around at everyone in the group. "We have a dragon inbound in minutes, some cultists outside the keep that need attention, and one of which we need to take alive for Nighthill, and a family to save who are locked in a cellar somewhere outside the walls. Professor, being a man of strategy, which path do we follow first. I would be happy for you to take lead, as I'm sure you know the area well."
He whispers to Kirari, "plus, I'm still hungry and he looks like he could sniff out a dinner table a mile off. He he."
Travis listens carefully to the newcomer, having learned long ago that neither appearance nor social status are what you should judge a person by--first, it's deeds and second (by a long measure) words. The man sounds like he knows what he's talking about.
"Welcome Thad," the armored fighter says, not caring too much for titles, nor book learning. "Call me Travis. I like the idea of coming up behind them. Or at least we can get a look and decide to NOT come up behind them if there are too many of them. But I say we rescue whomever we can first, then concentrate on getting a cultist captured. And I do not think there is anything we can do about the dragon, except hope that everyone gets under cover quickly."
“Hello Travis, pleased to meet you. Yes, I don’t know how we might drive the dragon off... frankly, that’s a beast beyond any of our abilities. Best we avoid that thing at all cost. Now where is this family you keep mentioning? Behind the enemy lines or encircled by the enemy?” He looks at the group and smiles reassuringly. “I agree, we should save as many villagers as we can though perhaps driving off the invaders is the best way to do that. Best defense being a strong offense as the saying goes”
“Capturing a cultist shouldn’t pose too much trouble as long as someone has some rope to secure the fool. I can be quite persuasive if we can corner one alone. I’m sure I could convince him or her to give up rather than die.”
Noob
Kirari speaks up at the last. "I have rope," then looks to make sure she retrieved it from that last batch of prisoners...(DM? would she have been able to? I might not have specified so she might now be out of luck). "Lillian and her family were one of the first we met coming into the area, so they might be beyond the raiders, this key leads to a spot even past that. Where Beatrice, a soldier we encountered approaching the village, was stationed." and thinking of Beatrice, "She might be stuck out there still. She was already wounded and trying to get back. If we could find her as well she may have learned more."
Looking up at the sky, "We must decide quickly though, we're not in a safe spot."
Travis chimes in as well. "I have a rope too," he says. "I will try not to run through at least one cultist, I suppose."
Glancing up at the sky, following Kirari's lead, he adds: "At least we ourselves will be safe from the dragon in the passageway to the outskirts of town, right? I am ready to move out. We can make more plans along the way."
The guard from a few moments ago had his ear to the listening device and shouts over to the party, "Dragon is heading straight for the keep and should be here in 10 minutes; townsfolk have taken cover. I heard Escobert say you may be heading down to the creek." He motions to a large trapdoor about 5 yards away from the companions. "That door will get you to the hidden gate; may the gods be with you!"
(It looks like Travis has the rope covered, but there was some rope with the mule to tie it up if Kiari wants to try and take that, or she may decide to keep the mule tied up safely in the keep)
The professor looks at the guard and the indicated trapdoor. He licks his lips and sweat begins forming on his forehead. His eyes get a wild look and begin darting around in fear. But then, he closes his eyes and takes a few deep breaths, when he opens them again he’s grinning with excitement. He lifts his arms and gestures the 4 of you together.
“Gather around and listen a few moments. We are about to take a big step. I don’t know you, and you don’t know me. But that’s ok, because none of us want to die here right?” And he pauses and looks at them all. “We are stuck here together, cornered in this keep but you know what? Nothing is more dangerous than a cornered animal with nothing to lose. We have a common enemy, and a common purpose, and that makes us a team. So we are a team of dangerous animals. Let’s direct our fear, our anger, our hope, and our sense of survival on busting out of here, saving as many people as we can, and breaking the encirclement.”
He takes a big breath and chuckles, “Is it always like this just before a battle? The fear? The excitement? I think I need to piss.” And he laughs, “ahhh I haven’t felt this much excitement in years! You all look positively fearsome, and if you look scary to me, you’ll look absolutely terrifying to an enemy as we come crashing into their backs. Use the element of surprise, there’s probably more of them than us but they’re spread out while we are few and together, like a fist! Trust each other, work together, listen to each other and stay together. We can do this, together! if you see that dragon coming your way, run, hide, get away, or find some cover, don’t throw your life away fighting a battle you can’t win, that won’t save anyone.”
(This will continue on for 10 minutes, encouraging, breaking the tension with humor, and stressing the importance of teamwork. Enact: inspiring leader feat. All of us gain 4 temporary hit points.)
Noob
Cale checks his weapons and then says to the group "Sounds like we have a plan - get to Beatrice and set her on the road to safety. Attack some cultists and nab one, then take cover in the underground corridor while the dragon levels everything"
He opens the trapdoor and appraises Thaddeus with a curious eye, "You talk a lot, Father Time, and I don't know why but I like it. If you can keep up with those of us that are looking forward to Winter Solstice then you can come along"
With that the rogue heads out, ready to discuss any plan changes on the way.
Kirari secures the key to the door away in her pocket noting the Rogue fidgeted it open without even thinking about it and decides to leave the rope tied to the Mule as it would be safer where it was and available should anyone need it.
'Thank you Thaddeus, usually I'm not one for long winded inspirational speeches, but I like you. Actually had something to say! I feel better just listening to you." She says with a hearty slap on the back. (appreciate the buff)
"I'm thinking spotting Beatrice quickly (hopefully she's ok) as she could get LIllian and family back for us while we nab some more raiders and cultists?"
The professor nods to Kirari, “Sounds like a plan, let’s see what we find once we get out. After you my green friend.” And he gestures towards the trapdoor. The Professor will wait until the larger, half-orc climbs down before following himself.
Noob
Travis nods several times during Thaddeus's dissertation on teamwork, recognizing some good points. They were the sort of thing he had learned as a boy, before all his aspirations about knighthood and the like had been shattered. He'd been part of more than one mercenary company, and what the professor said about working as a team rang true. He'd seen those who tried to do too much on their own, those who thought they were the center of everything, cause pain, misery and death for themselves and many others. He would never be that sort of fighter, he had sworn, and the old man's words steeled his spine to that long-standing vow.
"Well said," he finally says, a glint in his gray eyes as he gives the man a nod. Then he follows the others, ready for whatever may come.
As the group descends through the trapdoor down a wooden ladder, you are now in a cellar that is about 50 square feet in size. There is a torch burning on the wall, which offers some dim light to the room.
There is not any furniture to speak of, but there are some barrels and crates in front of a worn looking door. One of the crates has an abandoned lunch on it (half a pork sandwich and a third of a cup of mead) in case anyone wants to claim it ;)
The door is similar in size to others in the keep, but this one has an iron-looking lock on it under the handle.
Kirari pulls out the key from her pocket, having thought the rogue had worked the previous lock and shook her head amused at the mistake. She listens a brief second perception 14 , then unlocks the iron lock and opens the door for whomever wishes to go first (taking lead if noone else desires it) . Now out of view of those above, she hands some of the recovered loot to each of them quickly, "We'll have expenses and these items wouldn't have made it back to the original owners anyways," as a brief explanation. "I see very well in any light, but if it gets too dark for anyone, I can cast a light at intervals along the wall as we go to keep the area lit or on an item should you prefer."
@all Loot note:
If you noted the prior amount of loot on your character sheet, add 1g 4c if you hadn't add the full 6g 2s 4c . I did include the necklace that Breena claimed in this total so if you prefer items vs money, I can break it out in valuables instead of coin for anyone interested. The necklace claimed by Breena was 2 sp value. As Thaddeus replaces someone else who would have claimed a share, I'm suggesting that he take this share. DM has ok'd to just take coin value if we wish. If we wish to change this, let me know and I'll track differently. I hope this makes sense. - your humble treasurer.
After quietly accepting and pocketing the loot, Travis offers to go down ahead of Kirari, then pauses as she talks about light. "I cannot see in the dark," he says matter-of-factly, using excellent diction that doesn't quite match his drab appearance. "I do not mind walking in front, though I am slow and unquiet in this armor. You can light my sword if you wish."
Thaddeus waits patiently as Kiari unlocks the door. When she mentions light, he joins in with Travis stating “I do not see in the dark either and would appreciate some assistance as well.” He hangs back not wishing to be in the front of the group. “I shall take the rear guard, as it were, I am a bit more armored than you little one. I will be a bit of protection for you from behind.” He looks down at the gnome and smiles warmly, “I’m sorry friend, but I don’t think I got your name?”
Noob
Kirari nods to Travis, "Draw your blade, I can light it, then should you wish to douse the light, you can sheathe it." If he is in agreement, she casts light on his blade. (20 feet of bright light, then 20 more of dim for an hour.)
Continuing on their path she says to Thaddeus, "Do you have a similar item you'd wish me to light? Or I could illuminate the walls as we walk?"
She looks around to the others, "Please know that many of my abilities require a brief touch upon your person to share them. Should anyone be averse to this, let me know."
Travis nods and draws his sword, holding it out in front of himself for Kirari to light. He then turns and heads down the passageway at the front of the group, sword and shield at the ready.
The door opens for Kiari and the party, and they walk through the passageway illuminated by Travis's sword. The passage is only wide enough to travel single file, and the floor is a bit muddy with the occasional puddle. The passageway is dug out from underground with beams supporting the tunnel every few yards. The ceiling is about 7 feet high, so taller characters may feel like they need to crouch a bit to fit.
There is really only one way to go: straight ahead. There are not any creatures in the tunnel, and it looks like it is in pretty good shape (aside from the random small cobweb on a support beam or a worm crawling out of the earth).
After the first few minutes of travel, the party would feel the earth shake a bit (like a minor tremor), but the beams all hold (maybe a spider falls out of its web a little stunned).
Does the party continue on or turn back? (Also just double checking that Cale and Inglenook are in the tunnel).
Cale takes a place in the middle of the group, putting away the hooded lantern he had been extracting from his pack until Kiari started making things glow.
"I'm fine with anything that will keep me alive" he says to the half-orc, frankly.
As the group heads down the corridor, the impacts startle him: "If this tunnel comes down around us then we're not helping anyone - or living long enough to collect any reward. MOVE!"