"You can't be considering we go investigate this place just for treasure first, rather than try and head for the surface? Although... I suppose we might need funds in the dwarf city, if we are to get help..." the old man considers, and one hand unconsciously moves to his hip... But finds himself disappointed that whatever he was hoping to find there seems nonexistent.
"Back across the silk, then about another day or so.", Yuk Yuk provides.
"Maybe a half day from here, we'd be able to reach the city only a day behind schedule, and well funded enough to be able to buy help, or at the very least supplies!", Fargas (the halfling) answers eagerly.
Stena:
It's not likely to raise her opinion of him, but his eagerness seems the genuine eagerness of a treasure hunter.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
The old man seems to freeze for a moment, as if his mind is pulling him in two different directions at once. On one hand, an almost primal feeling deep within him wants to say that it shouldn't be a problem, while the part that is currently "here" seems astutely aware he has not a penny to his name. He furrows his brow, rubbing his temple as if nursing a headache while having a few memories. Paying some servants out of a generous purse. Weighing gold in the presence of an... Elf? Who was far too jovial, and a few rougher-looking people. He couldn't quite recall their faces. And in the end, a memory of himself as a child, quite literally eating his rice pudding with a golden spoon.
But right now, he shakes his head. Whatever happened, he has none of all that now.
Stena watches the halfling through the exchange before stepping back and addressing Yuk Yuk,
"Aye can't say that aye'm impressed by the guiding so far. One...two dead." She considers the count with a frown, more at needing include the fishman. "So, aye expect ye two aren't going to object to a detour."
She considers the rest of the sad group critically.
"And if ye help there might be additional compensation."
Yuk Yuk raises his hands in defense of his guiding, "Whoa, bruh, I totally said to jump on the strand below, not miss and fall way far down. Not my fault they grey dwarf and fish bro are thrill seekers and went full out... we're down to raid a tomb or whatnot for a cut. Me'n Spiderbait''re more capable than the two we lost for sure!"
"Totally capable!"
With the group seemingly in agreement, the halfling, eventually introduced as FargasRumblefoot, takes point with a light provided by Lia, though Jimjar volunteers to scout ahead when it seems prudent. The halfling consults his map frequently, muttering to himself, eventually prompting Jimjar placing a bet with Neth on whether they will actually find the tomb. Neth is of the opinion that it'll be "Fine".
"Be on the lookout for architecture, specifically of Netherese make.", Fargas implores you all, pointing out some sketches on his map that apparently are indicative of the civilization.
After hours of walking through tunnels and a small amount of backtracking and navigating, Fargas is getting giddy, as he's certain you're close.
((Let's have some Perception checks from the party?))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Galingal almost glares at Neth when he hears the word 'fine' but keeps focused on the road ahead and what potential trap this halfling could be leading them in to.
((I keep forgetting how high Gal's passive is on Perception checks. He'd clock it eventually, even if distracted.))
The trip so far has led you out onto a bit of a ledge that opens up into a larger chamber, the ledge having a bit of a lip and being fifteen feet or so above the cavern floor, which extends into blackness to your right, but on the left hand side is illuminated by yellow glowing crystal formations that jut from the walls and floor. Along that wall is an tunnel intersecting with the chamber, and from that tunnel Galingal and other highly perceptive folks may hear faint running footsteps and shouts.
Fargas, however, has his attention taken by something on the far wall ahead of you, higher up than your current position, illuminated by the glowing crystals, a doorway, canted to the side at a bit of an angle, with runic insignia visible, but not discernable at this distance.
"That's gotta be part of it! We just need to find a way down, and then it looks scalable only what, twenty or thirty feet up to the doorway?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Fargas is half over the ledge when a figure enters the cavern at a run, silhouetted against the yellow glowing crystals. The halfling gives a bit of a yelp and ducks back as you watch an elf, drow, by the looks of him, stab a short sword into a mushroom before fluidly pulling an arrow from the quiver on his back and fitting it to the bowstring of the longbow he carries. There's a moment of alarm, but he seems not to have noticed you, his gaze and arrow pointing back the way he came. After a long moment, he looses the arrow, and not looking to see where it landed, wrenches his short sword free as there is a concussive blast and shouts of pain and anger from further down the tunnel. A few crossbow bolts clatter, but he's already moving, bedraggled and limping, taking cover behind an outcropping of rock and fitting another arrow to bowstring.
A short while later, three figures emerge from the tunnel, moving slowly and cautiously, aware that they are lit up by the glowing crystals, and trying to stay alert for incoming arrows from the lone drow, and moving from cover to cover. Unlike the one they are pursuing, these three are wearing chain shirts and seem the very image of fully kitted out drow warriors that you've fought and fled from yourselves, while the wiry one with the longbow is unarmored, disheveled, and carries no pack.
((From your position, they are all below you on the ledge by 15 feet or so, the lone drow has run past the glowing crystals on the left and is now taking cover behind a rock 80 ft or so ahead and slightly to the right. The three pursuers are 150 ft from your position, and to the left, though they are creeping closer. None seem to have noticed you yet.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
The drow isn't anyone that Galingal recognizes, but he's clearly been beaten, chased and shot at, his clothes are dirty and bedraggled, stained with sweat and what looks to be blood down one of his legs, presumably from a bolt wound that gave him a limp. As Galingal watches him raise his bow and draw back another arrow, he notes abrasions around the wrists that suggest recent restraints.
The lone drow looses the arrow, and the three try to duck down, but the seemingly most injured is too slow, catching it just above the collarbone as the arrow detonates, blasting a hole in the drow's neck that sends their head flopping backwards and knocking one of the others momentarily off his feet.
The two remaining drow scramble forward, dropping low behind crystal formations. They are well illuminated, but the drow with the longbow doesn't have a clear shot on them. One of them shouts out in elvish. They both ready hand crossbows, training them on the rock formation their quarry is hiding behind.
"Not gonna end well for you! Throw your bow down and we'll make it quick, keep fighting and your death will be a long one!"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Galingal looks over at the others. "Better odds now. Could use Drow equipment," Galingal says. "And they're going to kill that one whether surrenders or not. Could have information."
The other drow look to still be too far for most of what Galingal can do to attack them. He's not sure if he wants to waste the Raven Queen's power on this fight or not but then decides that the drow probably can't reach up here with those small hand crossbows so he should take advantage of the distance.
He lines up one of the drow pursuers, and when they get within 120', he concentrates, whispers an old word "ohjauspultti" which causes the raven tattoo on his face to briefly glow, before a flash of light streaks out from his outstretched arm.
((Stealth and Athletics to get over the ledge in a reasonably quiet manner, the Stealth at advantage for Stena. She wouldn't be able to get too close to the armed and armored drow without ending up being illuminated, but they'd be well within range. The lone drow is in a darker part of the cave though.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Stena will hand the map to Gal and say simply,
"It doesn't show anyway up to the surface. It shows the way to a tomb that is, as he says nearby."
Her next question is to the goblins,
"How far to Duergar city?"
Then to the halfling,
"How far to this tomb?"
"You can't be considering we go investigate this place just for treasure first, rather than try and head for the surface? Although... I suppose we might need funds in the dwarf city, if we are to get help..." the old man considers, and one hand unconsciously moves to his hip... But finds himself disappointed that whatever he was hoping to find there seems nonexistent.
"Back across the silk, then about another day or so.", Yuk Yuk provides.
"Maybe a half day from here, we'd be able to reach the city only a day behind schedule, and well funded enough to be able to buy help, or at the very least supplies!", Fargas (the halfling) answers eagerly.
Stena:
It's not likely to raise her opinion of him, but his eagerness seems the genuine eagerness of a treasure hunter.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal looks at the treasure map then back to Stena. He nods agreement.
"We need coin." the shadar-kai says before looking to the old wizard. "Unless you conjure up coins, this might be only way."
The old man seems to freeze for a moment, as if his mind is pulling him in two different directions at once. On one hand, an almost primal feeling deep within him wants to say that it shouldn't be a problem, while the part that is currently "here" seems astutely aware he has not a penny to his name. He furrows his brow, rubbing his temple as if nursing a headache while having a few memories. Paying some servants out of a generous purse. Weighing gold in the presence of an... Elf? Who was far too jovial, and a few rougher-looking people. He couldn't quite recall their faces. And in the end, a memory of himself as a child, quite literally eating his rice pudding with a golden spoon.
But right now, he shakes his head. Whatever happened, he has none of all that now.
Stena watches the halfling through the exchange before stepping back and addressing Yuk Yuk,
"Aye can't say that aye'm impressed by the guiding so far. One...two dead." She considers the count with a frown, more at needing include the fishman. "So, aye expect ye two aren't going to object to a detour."
She considers the rest of the sad group critically.
"And if ye help there might be additional compensation."
Yuk Yuk raises his hands in defense of his guiding, "Whoa, bruh, I totally said to jump on the strand below, not miss and fall way far down. Not my fault they grey dwarf and fish bro are thrill seekers and went full out... we're down to raid a tomb or whatnot for a cut. Me'n Spiderbait''re more capable than the two we lost for sure!"
"Totally capable!"
With the group seemingly in agreement, the halfling, eventually introduced as Fargas Rumblefoot, takes point with a light provided by Lia, though Jimjar volunteers to scout ahead when it seems prudent. The halfling consults his map frequently, muttering to himself, eventually prompting Jimjar placing a bet with Neth on whether they will actually find the tomb. Neth is of the opinion that it'll be "Fine".
"Be on the lookout for architecture, specifically of Netherese make.", Fargas implores you all, pointing out some sketches on his map that apparently are indicative of the civilization.
After hours of walking through tunnels and a small amount of backtracking and navigating, Fargas is getting giddy, as he's certain you're close.
((Let's have some Perception checks from the party?))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal almost glares at Neth when he hears the word 'fine' but keeps focused on the road ahead and what potential trap this halfling could be leading them in to.
Perception: 18
((I keep forgetting how high Gal's passive is on Perception checks. He'd clock it eventually, even if distracted.))
The trip so far has led you out onto a bit of a ledge that opens up into a larger chamber, the ledge having a bit of a lip and being fifteen feet or so above the cavern floor, which extends into blackness to your right, but on the left hand side is illuminated by yellow glowing crystal formations that jut from the walls and floor. Along that wall is an tunnel intersecting with the chamber, and from that tunnel Galingal and other highly perceptive folks may hear faint running footsteps and shouts.
Fargas, however, has his attention taken by something on the far wall ahead of you, higher up than your current position, illuminated by the glowing crystals, a doorway, canted to the side at a bit of an angle, with runic insignia visible, but not discernable at this distance.
"That's gotta be part of it! We just need to find a way down, and then it looks scalable only what, twenty or thirty feet up to the doorway?"
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
To the goblins' claims of competence she responds with only a look of mild incredulity.
----
Stena, not very perceptive and not wanting to be in the light, hangs far enough back to not be visible.
When they stop, she stops waiting to see what they do. She doesn't make any effort to interact with them.
Fargas is half over the ledge when a figure enters the cavern at a run, silhouetted against the yellow glowing crystals. The halfling gives a bit of a yelp and ducks back as you watch an elf, drow, by the looks of him, stab a short sword into a mushroom before fluidly pulling an arrow from the quiver on his back and fitting it to the bowstring of the longbow he carries. There's a moment of alarm, but he seems not to have noticed you, his gaze and arrow pointing back the way he came. After a long moment, he looses the arrow, and not looking to see where it landed, wrenches his short sword free as there is a concussive blast and shouts of pain and anger from further down the tunnel. A few crossbow bolts clatter, but he's already moving, bedraggled and limping, taking cover behind an outcropping of rock and fitting another arrow to bowstring.
A short while later, three figures emerge from the tunnel, moving slowly and cautiously, aware that they are lit up by the glowing crystals, and trying to stay alert for incoming arrows from the lone drow, and moving from cover to cover. Unlike the one they are pursuing, these three are wearing chain shirts and seem the very image of fully kitted out drow warriors that you've fought and fled from yourselves, while the wiry one with the longbow is unarmored, disheveled, and carries no pack.
((From your position, they are all below you on the ledge by 15 feet or so, the lone drow has run past the glowing crystals on the left and is now taking cover behind a rock 80 ft or so ahead and slightly to the right. The three pursuers are 150 ft from your position, and to the left, though they are creeping closer. None seem to have noticed you yet.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
((Is Stena in darkness?))
((Sure.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal pulls back a bit from the edge, looking to slip back into shadow a little more.
"Let Drow kill each other. Not our problem." Galingal first suggests to Stena but then he looks more closely at the one running from the others.
Perception - to see if that drow is someone they recognize from the prison, or looks to be an escaped slave or prisoner - 15
The drow isn't anyone that Galingal recognizes, but he's clearly been beaten, chased and shot at, his clothes are dirty and bedraggled, stained with sweat and what looks to be blood down one of his legs, presumably from a bolt wound that gave him a limp. As Galingal watches him raise his bow and draw back another arrow, he notes abrasions around the wrists that suggest recent restraints.
The lone drow looses the arrow, and the three try to duck down, but the seemingly most injured is too slow, catching it just above the collarbone as the arrow detonates, blasting a hole in the drow's neck that sends their head flopping backwards and knocking one of the others momentarily off his feet.
The two remaining drow scramble forward, dropping low behind crystal formations. They are well illuminated, but the drow with the longbow doesn't have a clear shot on them. One of them shouts out in elvish. They both ready hand crossbows, training them on the rock formation their quarry is hiding behind.
"Not gonna end well for you! Throw your bow down and we'll make it quick, keep fighting and your death will be a long one!"
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal looks over at the others. "Better odds now. Could use Drow equipment," Galingal says. "And they're going to kill that one whether surrenders or not. Could have information."
The other drow look to still be too far for most of what Galingal can do to attack them. He's not sure if he wants to waste the Raven Queen's power on this fight or not but then decides that the drow probably can't reach up here with those small hand crossbows so he should take advantage of the distance.
He lines up one of the drow pursuers, and when they get within 120', he concentrates, whispers an old word "ohjauspultti" which causes the raven tattoo on his face to briefly glow, before a flash of light streaks out from his outstretched arm.
Guiding Bolt Attack: 8 Damage: 15
He waits to see the reaction before deciding whether he should climb down or not.
((They have crept just within that 120ft range behind their cover.))
The drow yelps as the flash of light arcs down and impacts on the yellow crystal, sending up a scintillating light.
He calls up in elvish, and then in Undercommon.
"That one is a traitor, help us recapture him and you'll be rewarded! Help him, and you'll meet the same fate!"
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Galingal looks over at Stena and the others "Pretend help so can get closer?"
((Presumably Gal says it in the direction he thinks Stena is?))
Stena gives Gal an invisible disapproving frown.
"Never expected ye to be the soft one. Aye will move down an get them. Can't let them go now."
((Rolls to stay in the dark and move to block their way away off?))
((Stealth and Athletics to get over the ledge in a reasonably quiet manner, the Stealth at advantage for Stena. She wouldn't be able to get too close to the armed and armored drow without ending up being illuminated, but they'd be well within range. The lone drow is in a darker part of the cave though.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock