Catching his breath Pardot says, "We should make sure there are no more anywhere else. Also, I wonder if they set those charges, or just are using them from the time when the mine is active…”
Triäsa pushes herself away from the wall and back onto her feet. She goes and finds her dagger where she thew it, then goes and picks up her crossbow. As she does, she sighs a bit. "I really need to practice more, or something. It seems like I'm practically useless in a fight."
She walks over to the larger chamber, keeping back but looking over it. "I do not know, but it doesn't seem like the original miners would detonate support columns. So even if they left it, those things probably moved them." She looks over the chamber one more time, definitely leaving it to someone else to lead the way in. "You think that is it? We got all of them? I mean, if they turned the town's residents into more, there should be a lot more somewhere."
"Nonsense, you are not useless in a fight Triäsa, I find it very inspiring just to fight alongside you, but I admit I often fail in my attempts to protect you."Ludolf says apologetically. "I agree though, we should be thorough in our search, there can be no survivors lest this nightmare could start all over again."He says, continuing his investigation.
Daventry shakes her head at Klin. "Do you see what these creatures did to Thavol? Would have done to us had they gotten their claws deeper into our minds?"
She pokes one of the dead with the tip of her blade. "There is actual evil in this world. Be thankful you have the capability to do something about it."
Once Triasa joins next to Ludolf with her own source of light, Daventry decides to help Pardot look around the cave, granting her starlight spell to his shield. The runes in her blade dim significantly, now a soft glow.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As his shield begins to glow Pardot takes a breath, smiles and says, “Thank you. Let us see if we can determine if this was their home, or if there are more.” Perception 24
You all take some time exploring the cavern as you talk and recover. The cave has taken on a very natural, silence outside of your conversations. You can hear the distant drippings of water and a small streak of light enters the cavern from the ceiling where the first pillar exploded. Gone are the eerie sounds and sights and you feel a small amount of peace and serenity for the first time since you arrived at Vermeillon.
Ludolf -- You carefully but very slowly walk through the cavern looking for anything of interest. You see piles and piles of clothing and discarded belongings along the southern edge of the cavern. Almost all of the possessions appear to beyond use, rotted and worn with time. Your eyes glance through the stacks of discarded remains, perhaps enough to have once outfit an entire village. You are about to turn away when see two brightly colored items on top of the most southern stack. Thavol's tie-dyed pack rests peacefully on top of a pile of rotting children's clothing. As you life the pack you are surprised with how light it is, it has an aura of magic around and it does not take you long to identify this.Thavol's Pack
Next to the pack you see the odd braided rope he took such care to prepare. Just like the dwarf's other possession it is bright and multicolored, each braid a different vibrant color. Again you get the sense of magic woven into the multicolored braids and after a bit of study and concentration you are able to glean it's use. Thavol's Climbing Rope
Pardot -- Without the shadows and screams haunting your every movement you see and think clearly for the first time in what feels like an age. While the natural inclination would be to check the belongings and piles of rotting clothing you are drawn to the subtle, esoteric and odd. You look carefully at the strange stone platforms. They are coated in blood of varying ages mostly old but one has fresh, bright red blood caked into the sides. You can see a strange symbol is carefully etched into the stone base of each platform. It repeats as it encircles the platform. The symbol is very peculiar in it's simplicity. The edges seem at once completely symmetric and random all at once, as you look at it you feel the madness return.
Pardot -- Make DC 12 Wisdom Save or become frightened of the symbol for 1 hour.
Symbol:
Daventry -- As you poke the remains of one of the creatures you see a platinum signet ring fall from the remains. The face of the ring bears the crest of the Duvezin Family. A snowdrop blossom.
Klin -- As you consider your deeds and actions you poke through the belongings with Ludolf. Find a small sack of 50gp, perhaps the life savings of some poor miner who met their fate in this lonely chamber of horrors.
Triäsa -- Your thoughts continue to return to the other villagers and what might have happened to them. You feel pretty strongly that between the clothing here and stories it would seem this was where they were taken. However the chamber and rest of tunnel are very lightly traveled. As best you can surmise there is no indication of more creatures that you have already encountered. Certainly there is no evidence of an entire village in these tunnels.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
wis save or frightened: 12
Looking at the symbol carved throughout the rocks, Pardot feels a similar wave of fear attempt to take hold, but he simply closes his eyes and allows the fear to wash over him, leaving nothing. He then says to the others, "Has anyone got a pen and paper? There is a strange symbol repeated throughout this cave. Though I recommend you avoid it. Something of the symbol reaches into your mind. I would like to sketch it to take it back to the Keep to study further."
Triäsa relates her thoughts about the clothing, number of villagers, and signs in the cave to everyone. "It would seem we have accounted for most, if not all, the village. And there is not any sign of more Meenlocks here. I still wonder how they got here. Or if more will come?"
When she hears Pardot's question, she digs around in her pack, producing a couple of scroll cases. She moves the papers around a bit, leaving one of the cases with a single blank parchment. She hands that to Pardot along with a pen. "Here Pardot, I have a few blank sheets on me. Always keep a case or two for papers." She takes great pains to keep her eyes averted from whatever strange symbol Pardot has discovered.
"Would you like me to help you somehow Padot? It may be risky trying to write such a symbol if it has some power over people." Triäsa then pauses. "I am not sure what I would do exactly though."
As he is finished with his investigation Ludolf turns to the others. "Do you feel that? The serenity. I think perhaps we have cleansed this place of the horror of the Meenlocks. I agree we don't know exactly how they got here, but the reason for it was likely the tragedy of all those who died in the cave-in at the mine all those years ago. I doubt the Meenlocks will trouble Vermeillon anymore." He says, sounding confident about his conclusions. "Perhaps you should take care of these for now Daventry. I think Thavol would have liked if you had them." He says to Dav and hands her Thavol's bag and rope, deciding to not bring up the matter of the childrens clothing he saw. Although they all knew the likely fate of the children he didn't want to burden the others with this horrible thought. "Be careful Pardot. Could you decribe the symbol? Perhaps I have some knowledge of it's origin or significance."
Carefully making a rubbing of the symbol with the paper given to him and some dirt from the ground Pardot replies to Ludolf saying, “It’s a bit like two 5-sided pyramids, one inverted, and stacked on each other.”((Or a bit like a d10 😉)) Adding afterwards, “Though those creatures seemed to live in this part of the mine, we shouldn’t leave until we’re sure the mine is clear. If it goes too deep, we can simply watch for where the tracks came and went.” Finally, he looks around at the disheveled looks on his companions faces and says, “I am thankful that we are all here together. Alone and none of us would be returning, let alone having learned what we have of the fate of this place…”
Daventry palms the ring from the creature, holding it up to the borrowed light from Triasa's blade as Pardot looks at the symbol. "Seems like the lady of the village ended up as one of these. I wonder what happened to her kids... if they made it out, like her journal said, then someone in Maerin might know where they ended up. Perhaps a grandkid would like to know the fate that befell their grandmother... at least for closure's sake."
She sighs as she considers Thavol's brightly colored items. "He was a good dude. Bit weird, but seemed happiest high on a high peak. We should also see if he has any kin below."
She places the ring and any collected loot into Thavol's bag.
(Assuming sharing all gold and other things. Treasure goblin now is the bag of holding... I'll get it all updated finally)
"And... not to spend ill will against the dead, but does Thavol's armor have any of the same magical markers as his bag and rope, Ludolf?" Daventry asks.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Yes, but the portal was supposed to be near Chalet Brantifax which is also yet to be found. You are right though Dav, the Meenlocks entry point to this world might well be that portal and thus our search must continue."Ludolf says, ready to let Dav lead the way searching the last parts of the mine. Stealth: 18 Perception: 8
"I say we make sure these mines are clear - quickly. I then want a nap!" Triäsa says. "There were two roads out of Vermeillon. One to the mine and the other seems a likely candidate for the path to Chalet Brantifax."
She does also nod at Daventry's comment on Thavol. "I do feel really bad about him. You are right, we need to see if he has any family and let them know what happened." She sighs, "He should have just stayed with us."
Daventry nods. Tired from both the battle and the sleepless night before, she relights her blade and cautiously begins to head to the back (west) of the Meenlock's chamber. "Pardot, mind walking with me? I could use your eyes up front."
Daventry nods. Tired from both the battle and the sleepless night before, she relights her blade and cautiously begins to head to the back (west) of the Meenlock's chamber. "Pardot, mind walking with me? I could use your eyes up front."
(Help Pardot with Perception)
Putting the rubbing into his pack Pardot stands up, takes a deep breath, and says, "Of course. Let's see if we can find any more traces of those... things. Though I do hope not..."
Catching his breath Pardot says, "We should make sure there are no more anywhere else. Also, I wonder if they set those charges, or just are using them from the time when the mine is active…”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Triäsa pushes herself away from the wall and back onto her feet. She goes and finds her dagger where she thew it, then goes and picks up her crossbow. As she does, she sighs a bit. "I really need to practice more, or something. It seems like I'm practically useless in a fight."
She walks over to the larger chamber, keeping back but looking over it. "I do not know, but it doesn't seem like the original miners would detonate support columns. So even if they left it, those things probably moved them." She looks over the chamber one more time, definitely leaving it to someone else to lead the way in. "You think that is it? We got all of them? I mean, if they turned the town's residents into more, there should be a lot more somewhere."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
"Nonsense, you are not useless in a fight Triäsa, I find it very inspiring just to fight alongside you, but I admit I often fail in my attempts to protect you." Ludolf says apologetically. "I agree though, we should be thorough in our search, there can be no survivors lest this nightmare could start all over again." He says, continuing his investigation.
Daventry shakes her head at Klin. "Do you see what these creatures did to Thavol? Would have done to us had they gotten their claws deeper into our minds?"
She pokes one of the dead with the tip of her blade. "There is actual evil in this world. Be thankful you have the capability to do something about it."
Once Triasa joins next to Ludolf with her own source of light, Daventry decides to help Pardot look around the cave, granting her starlight spell to his shield. The runes in her blade dim significantly, now a soft glow.
(flubbed investigation, go go druid perception?)
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
As his shield begins to glow Pardot takes a breath, smiles and says, “Thank you. Let us see if we can determine if this was their home, or if there are more.” Perception 24
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
You all take some time exploring the cavern as you talk and recover. The cave has taken on a very natural, silence outside of your conversations. You can hear the distant drippings of water and a small streak of light enters the cavern from the ceiling where the first pillar exploded. Gone are the eerie sounds and sights and you feel a small amount of peace and serenity for the first time since you arrived at Vermeillon.
Ludolf -- You carefully but very slowly walk through the cavern looking for anything of interest. You see piles and piles of clothing and discarded belongings along the southern edge of the cavern. Almost all of the possessions appear to beyond use, rotted and worn with time. Your eyes glance through the stacks of discarded remains, perhaps enough to have once outfit an entire village. You are about to turn away when see two brightly colored items on top of the most southern stack. Thavol's tie-dyed pack rests peacefully on top of a pile of rotting children's clothing. As you life the pack you are surprised with how light it is, it has an aura of magic around and it does not take you long to identify this. Thavol's Pack
Next to the pack you see the odd braided rope he took such care to prepare. Just like the dwarf's other possession it is bright and multicolored, each braid a different vibrant color. Again you get the sense of magic woven into the multicolored braids and after a bit of study and concentration you are able to glean it's use. Thavol's Climbing Rope
Pardot -- Without the shadows and screams haunting your every movement you see and think clearly for the first time in what feels like an age. While the natural inclination would be to check the belongings and piles of rotting clothing you are drawn to the subtle, esoteric and odd. You look carefully at the strange stone platforms. They are coated in blood of varying ages mostly old but one has fresh, bright red blood caked into the sides. You can see a strange symbol is carefully etched into the stone base of each platform. It repeats as it encircles the platform. The symbol is very peculiar in it's simplicity. The edges seem at once completely symmetric and random all at once, as you look at it you feel the madness return.
Pardot -- Make DC 12 Wisdom Save or become frightened of the symbol for 1 hour.
Symbol:
Daventry -- As you poke the remains of one of the creatures you see a platinum signet ring fall from the remains. The face of the ring bears the crest of the Duvezin Family. A snowdrop blossom.
Klin -- As you consider your deeds and actions you poke through the belongings with Ludolf. Find a small sack of 50gp, perhaps the life savings of some poor miner who met their fate in this lonely chamber of horrors.
Triäsa -- Your thoughts continue to return to the other villagers and what might have happened to them. You feel pretty strongly that between the clothing here and stories it would seem this was where they were taken. However the chamber and rest of tunnel are very lightly traveled. As best you can surmise there is no indication of more creatures that you have already encountered. Certainly there is no evidence of an entire village in these tunnels.
DM -- The Candlekeep Mysteries 1 & 2 Discord PCs -- Christian Dembele Forum PCs -- Edryd Breckon, Fizzlebit Forton Thornberry the Fourth
wis save or frightened: 12
Looking at the symbol carved throughout the rocks, Pardot feels a similar wave of fear attempt to take hold, but he simply closes his eyes and allows the fear to wash over him, leaving nothing. He then says to the others, "Has anyone got a pen and paper? There is a strange symbol repeated throughout this cave. Though I recommend you avoid it. Something of the symbol reaches into your mind. I would like to sketch it to take it back to the Keep to study further."
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
Triäsa relates her thoughts about the clothing, number of villagers, and signs in the cave to everyone. "It would seem we have accounted for most, if not all, the village. And there is not any sign of more Meenlocks here. I still wonder how they got here. Or if more will come?"
When she hears Pardot's question, she digs around in her pack, producing a couple of scroll cases. She moves the papers around a bit, leaving one of the cases with a single blank parchment. She hands that to Pardot along with a pen. "Here Pardot, I have a few blank sheets on me. Always keep a case or two for papers." She takes great pains to keep her eyes averted from whatever strange symbol Pardot has discovered.
"Would you like me to help you somehow Padot? It may be risky trying to write such a symbol if it has some power over people." Triäsa then pauses. "I am not sure what I would do exactly though."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
As he is finished with his investigation Ludolf turns to the others. "Do you feel that? The serenity. I think perhaps we have cleansed this place of the horror of the Meenlocks. I agree we don't know exactly how they got here, but the reason for it was likely the tragedy of all those who died in the cave-in at the mine all those years ago. I doubt the Meenlocks will trouble Vermeillon anymore." He says, sounding confident about his conclusions. "Perhaps you should take care of these for now Daventry. I think Thavol would have liked if you had them." He says to Dav and hands her Thavol's bag and rope, deciding to not bring up the matter of the childrens clothing he saw. Although they all knew the likely fate of the children he didn't want to burden the others with this horrible thought. "Be careful Pardot. Could you decribe the symbol? Perhaps I have some knowledge of it's origin or significance."
Carefully making a rubbing of the symbol with the paper given to him and some dirt from the ground Pardot replies to Ludolf saying, “It’s a bit like two 5-sided pyramids, one inverted, and stacked on each other.” ((Or a bit like a d10 😉)) Adding afterwards, “Though those creatures seemed to live in this part of the mine, we shouldn’t leave until we’re sure the mine is clear. If it goes too deep, we can simply watch for where the tracks came and went.” Finally, he looks around at the disheveled looks on his companions faces and says, “I am thankful that we are all here together. Alone and none of us would be returning, let alone having learned what we have of the fate of this place…”
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Likewise Pardot." Ludolf says, trying to smile, giving the halfling a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Arcana regarding symbol: 20
Daventry palms the ring from the creature, holding it up to the borrowed light from Triasa's blade as Pardot looks at the symbol. "Seems like the lady of the village ended up as one of these. I wonder what happened to her kids... if they made it out, like her journal said, then someone in Maerin might know where they ended up. Perhaps a grandkid would like to know the fate that befell their grandmother... at least for closure's sake."
She sighs as she considers Thavol's brightly colored items. "He was a good dude. Bit weird, but seemed happiest high on a high peak. We should also see if he has any kin below."
She places the ring and any collected loot into Thavol's bag.
(Assuming sharing all gold and other things. Treasure goblin now is the bag of holding... I'll get it all updated finally)
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
After consolidating the loot, Daventry looks to Ludolf. "Your uncle's letter mentioned a portal. That's one lead we've seen naught of..."
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"And... not to spend ill will against the dead, but does Thavol's armor have any of the same magical markers as his bag and rope, Ludolf?" Daventry asks.
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
"Yes, but the portal was supposed to be near Chalet Brantifax which is also yet to be found. You are right though Dav, the Meenlocks entry point to this world might well be that portal and thus our search must continue." Ludolf says, ready to let Dav lead the way searching the last parts of the mine.
Stealth: 18 Perception: 8
"I say we make sure these mines are clear - quickly. I then want a nap!" Triäsa says. "There were two roads out of Vermeillon. One to the mine and the other seems a likely candidate for the path to Chalet Brantifax."
She does also nod at Daventry's comment on Thavol. "I do feel really bad about him. You are right, we need to see if he has any family and let them know what happened." She sighs, "He should have just stayed with us."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Daventry nods. Tired from both the battle and the sleepless night before, she relights her blade and cautiously begins to head to the back (west) of the Meenlock's chamber. "Pardot, mind walking with me? I could use your eyes up front."
(Help Pardot with Perception)
Aldrik Reinholdt in Dragon Heist
Daventry in The Candlekeep Mysteries, and her bag
Putting the rubbing into his pack Pardot stands up, takes a deep breath, and says, "Of course. Let's see if we can find any more traces of those... things. Though I do hope not..."
perception with help and guidance: 21
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM: