Kel will move along as well, not too bothered by the prodding as long as it doesn't get any more aggressive. They keep looking around as they walk, ever-curious about their surroundings for both curiosity's sake and practical reasons. They have never, after all, been down here before. Better to take it all in, considering they have no plans to return if they ever manage to escape.
The kuo-toa begin escorting your group back to Sloopludoop, casting wary glances from time to time, especially at Shuushan. Ploop, the priest, continues explaining on the way back:
"We have lived in harmonious service to the will of the Sea Mother for some time. There were occasional “visionaries” who stirred up trouble-- he casted a walleyed glance at Shuushar--but nothing of any great concern. Then a few weeks ago, Bloppblippodd, my daughter, supposedly experienced a powerful vision of “Leemooggoogoon the Deep Father,” proclaiming him the new god of her people. She has backed up her claims with a great increase in her magical power, and new followers have flocked to her.
“We are split in two,” Ploopploopeen continues, “fighting among ourselves. The followers of the Deep Father have been making an increasing number of offerings on his altar — killing blood sacrifices then casting bloody chum into the waters of the Darklake, where it is consumed by … something."
"Since you are here now, I want to use you as bait. They want humanoid sacrifices and you all...would make a fine prize too tempting not to take. I will hand you over as a token of peace and reconciliation, all you will need to do is disrupt their ritual once they get started. I will make sure you are rested and equipped before you go. I realize this is a large undertaking, so you will be well rewarded when the task is done." He stopped and looked at the group. "Can I count on you?"
By the time he finished speaking your group is just a very short ways from the city gates, where several monitors stood on the ramparts watching the approaching group with weapons ready.
"Is there a perch I can place myself in? Because, as bait, I'll be in the thick of it. I do better out of the thick of it." Comments Crowfell, turning to the others to translate what's being said so far.
"That is unwise to impossible. We have no idea how many are really on her side. Leaving you somewhere else is too risky, you must stay with the others." Ploop explained back gravely, and beckoning them to follow into Sloopludoop.
(You are entering at the gate on the middle north side, the map is weird I know)
As you walk through the city rickety towers can be seen, lashed together by rope and plank bridges set in haphazard patterns. Even above ground, the kuo-toa build in line with their three-dimensional aquatic sensibilities, constructing their “great city” as if it were underwater. To the west (up on the map) are the docks where you can barely make out maybe a half dozen or so keelboats moored there. The citizens of Sloopludoop seem to be on edge in general, watching with clear suspicion at your group as well as each other.
"Hey Crowfell, do you think you could work one or two of those boats into our reward? It might give us more distance than traveling by foot" Finn is also taking in his surroundings, specifically to get a sense of the villages defenses in case the drow find us
"I do like the idea of rest and equipment," Kel mutters, mostly to themself or the little spider still clinging to their scales. "Not so much bein' given over as bait, though." Not that they really seemed to have much choice in the matter. They looked up and over towards the boats at Finn's words, making an agreeable face.
"Yes, all that you need can be provided afterwards. Just this way."
Ploop and the escort moves the group toward the center of town, where you see a nine-foot-tall statue stands. Its body is roughly carved from some kind of wood in the shape of a humanoid female, its head and forearms formed from the severed head and claws of a giant albino crayfish. These parts are lashed on with strands of gut, and emit an overpowering stench of rotting shellfish. Shells, brightly colored stones, mushrooms, and rotting fish are piled at the statue’s feet and strung in garlands around its neck. Four stern kuo-toa slowly circle the statue, alert and on guard, while a few others mill about, gazing up at the statue and bowing repeatedly while chanting.
"He has agreed to give us a boat. And whatever supplies we need after we take care of this." Says Crowfell, before switching to Undercommon and repeating the question to Ploop.
Finn will follow, keeping a wary eye on the kuo-toa considering that his first encounter with them wasn't very pleasant
Kel will move along as well, not too bothered by the prodding as long as it doesn't get any more aggressive. They keep looking around as they walk, ever-curious about their surroundings for both curiosity's sake and practical reasons. They have never, after all, been down here before. Better to take it all in, considering they have no plans to return if they ever manage to escape.
No Longer ActiveThe kuo-toa begin escorting your group back to Sloopludoop, casting wary glances from time to time, especially at Shuushan. Ploop, the priest, continues explaining on the way back:
"We have lived in harmonious service to the will of the Sea Mother for some time. There were occasional “visionaries” who stirred up trouble-- he casted a walleyed glance at Shuushar--but nothing of any great concern. Then a few weeks ago, Bloppblippodd, my daughter, supposedly experienced a powerful vision of “Leemooggoogoon the Deep Father,” proclaiming him the new god of her people. She has backed up her claims with a great increase in her magical power, and new followers have flocked to her.
“We are split in two,” Ploopploopeen continues, “fighting among ourselves. The followers of the Deep Father have been making an increasing number of offerings on his altar — killing blood sacrifices then casting bloody chum into the waters of the Darklake, where it is consumed by … something."
"Since you are here now, I want to use you as bait. They want humanoid sacrifices and you all...would make a fine prize too tempting not to take. I will hand you over as a token of peace and reconciliation, all you will need to do is disrupt their ritual once they get started. I will make sure you are rested and equipped before you go. I realize this is a large undertaking, so you will be well rewarded when the task is done." He stopped and looked at the group. "Can I count on you?"
By the time he finished speaking your group is just a very short ways from the city gates, where several monitors stood on the ramparts watching the approaching group with weapons ready.
"Is there a perch I can place myself in? Because, as bait, I'll be in the thick of it. I do better out of the thick of it." Comments Crowfell, turning to the others to translate what's being said so far.
"That is unwise to impossible. We have no idea how many are really on her side. Leaving you somewhere else is too risky, you must stay with the others." Ploop explained back gravely, and beckoning them to follow into Sloopludoop.
(You are entering at the gate on the middle north side, the map is weird I know)
Sennet, after entering begins to look around his immediate surrounding area. Looking for anything that sticks out.
I don't have a signature.
(Roll a perception check)
Perception Roll: 12
I don't have a signature.
As you walk through the city rickety towers can be seen, lashed together by rope and plank bridges set in haphazard patterns. Even above ground, the kuo-toa build in line with their three-dimensional aquatic sensibilities, constructing their “great city” as if it were underwater. To the west (up on the map) are the docks where you can barely make out maybe a half dozen or so keelboats moored there. The citizens of Sloopludoop seem to be on edge in general, watching with clear suspicion at your group as well as each other.
Crowfell is just silently following along.
"Hey Crowfell, do you think you could work one or two of those boats into our reward? It might give us more distance than traveling by foot" Finn is also taking in his surroundings, specifically to get a sense of the villages defenses in case the drow find us
"I do like the idea of rest and equipment," Kel mutters, mostly to themself or the little spider still clinging to their scales. "Not so much bein' given over as bait, though." Not that they really seemed to have much choice in the matter. They looked up and over towards the boats at Finn's words, making an agreeable face.
No Longer ActiveCrowfell speaks in Undercommon again. "Do you think you can give us a boat? I'm even willing to trade for one." Says the man, his head nodding.
"Yes, all that you need can be provided afterwards. Just this way."
Ploop and the escort moves the group toward the center of town, where you see a nine-foot-tall statue stands. Its body is roughly carved from some kind of wood in the shape of a humanoid female, its head and forearms formed from the severed head and claws of a giant albino crayfish. These parts are lashed on with strands of gut, and emit an overpowering stench of rotting shellfish. Shells, brightly colored stones, mushrooms, and rotting fish are piled at the statue’s feet and strung in garlands around its neck. Four stern kuo-toa slowly circle the statue, alert and on guard, while a few others mill about, gazing up at the statue and bowing repeatedly while chanting.
Finn leans over to Crowfell and asks, "Who is that a statue of? Is that the Sea Mother?"
"He has agreed to give us a boat. And whatever supplies we need after we take care of this." Says Crowfell, before switching to Undercommon and repeating the question to Ploop.
Ploop nods slightly at the question before speaking again:
"You will all make an offering to the Sea Mother before we continue. Perhaps she will see you all as worthy in some way."
((Everyone make a Religion check))
Religion Check: Dirty 20.
"It is the Sea Mother. We must make an offering to her." And so. Crowfell does exactly that.
Sennet Religion: 19
I don't have a signature.
Religion: 19