"Then it's most likely not in this cave,"concluded Kairus in Common. "We can make sure of it if someone is willing to get there invisible and poke around a bit, rather than waste money."
He turned back to geonids. "Well, thanks then. We'll rest a bit and move one. Have a nice night."There was a possibility for the creatures to watch the group through the night but the party had nothing to hide (for the most part), so, he, personally, did not warry that much.
Yulmiath waves the geonids off, watching their retreat back into the jungle, trying to judge whether they've really gone or are waiting for the Snack Pack to drop their guard.
Hun had rather absently conveyed what he picked up, seeming still somewhat lost in thought processing it all. By the time he collects enough thoughts back together as to make another suggestion on points of inquiry, the Kobold hesitated, registering in Yulmiath's dismissal an end to the conversation. Yet with barely more than a grunt of his own, he more actively ran maintenance on Mr. Thicc during the Geonids' hopefully peaceful departure.
His spell would remain ongoing up until they were well out of sight and out of range... just in case.
"Ah yes, young blue. Almost forgot you had that going for you. Perhaps after at least finishing our short rest here, uh... oh! Well, hmn... if you're up for it, uh... Rhooogal? Might you turn into something and do the sneaky sneak in a bit into the caves?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I suppose I could give it a go..." Rhogal replies to Hun, still not sure if he trusts what the geonids say. "Assumin' it be hot, like the last cave, bein' a spider or th' like might not last too long."
"If that happens, we may need to move quick or prepare fer another scuffle."
Kairus decides to end the conversation right then and there, and Yulmiath could not have agreed more. As they wave the band of geonids away, Hun makes sure to collect the surface thoughts of one of them. It is thinking about all the large pieces of metal the Snackers have, and the red gems on the kobold's amulet.
Despite Yulmiath's suspicions, he can't be sure whether the visitors completely left the area or not after direct line of sight is broken. Perhaps they are waiting in the shadows, perhaps they are off to find another party to harass.
The party plans for a quick stop by the nearest cave once their rest is over.
(OOC: The remainder of the Short Rest goes on without a hitch. You may roll Hit Dice and hit that Short Rest button on your sheets. Before moving on to Rhogal's solo exploration mission, I'd like to know for sure what animal he is turning into and what everyone else is doing while they wait.)
Yulmiath finds a comfortable looking spot and settles down. Karius and Rhogal might be gone for a wee while, so makes sense to make the most of the break for a while at least.
"You two better prepare a secret signal so we know to come running if there's an issue in the cave. Whooping and hollering might be an idea?"
While the dynamic duo head off, he takes one of the stones he took from the first geonid cave out of his pack and gives it a once over.
"Whooping and hollering sound good. We'll do that. Can you pretend there are more of you here than in reality? In case those rocks are watching." He helped to raise a tent and got another idea. "Rhogal, come. We can transform inside the tent, so should they look, they'll think we are still inside."
With that he played some random melody, ending it with the "accord of invisibility" and was ready to follow the druid out. Kairus planned to stay a few steps behind to give Rhogal some space but to keep him in sight in case of complications. "That will be fun! And if works - we can check like this all the caves without raising alarms and genociding those rocks!" Kairus hoped his words were encouraging enough. The tone definitely was!
Hun thanked Rhogal in a curt nod for the sacrifice, but would've shaken his head on having anything to offer relief from the heat. Throughout the rest itself -- in which hindsight, Hun got back to altering and creating the new more metallic tools -- the kobold seemed distracted, and would sometimes look out ot nearby stone structures in wariness. However, he never voices the last thoughts picked up from the geonid. Not yet, at least, or anytime soon at that.
"Hm? What?" He snaps to attention, then squints at Yulmiath's offering. "When did you... ah, nevermind. Let me have at it. If anyone would know anything about geology that'd be me! ... And, uh, I guess Rhogal too. Though, he seems and smells the more, uh, veggie sort, if you catch my drift."Just as soon as the stone is in hand Hun changes lenses and twisting the rim of his goggles like one would a die in further study of the stone.
Investigation: 17. (or if Nature would be better, it'd be a +4 bonus and no adv. instead.)
"'Fore you two head off as well, take those tools over there--"Mr. Thicc takes the words as que to offer the recently made belt of masonry tools to Triton and Dwarf pair. "Use'm to stall if ya need to. I can always remake'm later anyhow."He carried on somewhat absently, as his attention never waved from the stone in hand.
(@Lerus: Hun plans to be thorough in his examination of the stone, so will be studying it at length while the stealth mission is going on.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
While the group continues to rest, they talk about the details of the most immediate exploration plan. Hun makes sure to finish putting together a set of tools for the explorers, handing them over when the time is right.
Both Yulmiath and Kairus fell better after some rest, short as it was. (Yulmiath recovers 23 HP, Kairus recovers 9 HP.)
(OOC: If Hun, Rhogal, or Krodhen want to use Hit Dice, please do so now.)
Kairus and Rhogal go into a tent do they can transform out of sight of others, be them friend or foe. Kairus' plan works well initially, as he becomes invisible after casting the appropriate spell. The bard is sure to weave a few inspirational words in his casting as well, so that Rhogal feels well supported (Bardic Inspiration.)
The deceitful plan does not work so well in the end when Rhogal exits the tent in the form of a giant wolf spider. The arachnid would certainly catch the eye of any and everyone watching the camp. Regardless, the transformed druid and the invisible bard make their way to cave number-two and begin to descend.
This cave bends to the right shortly after the opening. In what the duo may see as good news, the tunnel continues on for no more than 30 feet after the bend and then it suddenly comes to a natural end. It all looks and feels like warm rock, as one could expect. Both Kairus and Spider-Rhogal (passive perception) notice that the only feature of note here is a small crack on the jagged dead-end wall. They figure a small creature could squeeze if it was feeling especially curious. Unfortunately for them, neither the triton nor the spider are small-framed enough.
Yulmiath, Krodhen, Eeyal, Hun, and Mr.Thicc stay back at camp for a while longer. The kobold and the dragonborn use their time to look more closely at the colorful stones they found in the first cave (let's call that roll a nature check.) Yulmiath gives them a quick look, showing interest in what the artificer is about to do. Hun decides to take his time with them.
Meanwhile, Eeyal decides this might be a good time to start warming up some food, so she gets that going. Krodhen glances at the stones but believes his skill are better suited for keeping an eye out. Mr. Thicc accompanies the paladin on watch duty, making sure the canoe is well watched as well.
Eventually, Hun puts his tools down. His studies of the stones may be concluded but the artificer does not look very happy. These seem to be nothing more than volcanic rocks which picked up some pigmentation while forming. They might be good for some crafting, or perhaps for trading purposes at the Ahoyhoy market, but certainly are not exotic enough to be considered precious stones in any way. Eeyal says "They are pretty enough for the gentle folk of Ahoyhoy, but don't expect to get real coin for them."
Shrugging, Yulmiath pops the rock back in his bag. If he's to be a purveyor of shiny rocks and crystals, there are likely some teenagers or mystical types who might be interested, or if not, a little bit of barter works for him just fine. Realising that there is likely a bit of work to do for the group's camp tonight, he volunteers himself to do anything that might help and if it helps put any watching geonids at ease, so much the better.
Somewhat refreshed with the break, Krodhen watches the spider (and invisible Kairus) head off and positions himself along the path they headed down, but still within sight of the others, and pulls a javelin out for good measure, then looks for a place to sit and watch.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The most important question was here the presence of other geonids. Kairus did search for them, but those rocks could be tricky. The next question was the worthiness of going into the crack.
Trying his best not to step on any of the numerous legs of spider-Rhogal, he got closer to the potential entry. Investigation: 15
Is the creature fitting it should be small or tiny? Would a geonid be able to get through here? Would the statue of the snake fit in it?
For better or worse, Hun had been too caught up in other things to pay the giant spider waltzing out of the tent any mind at the time. Or else he might've shot Rhogal an incredulous look on the dwarf's way out. Irregardless, once Hun's studying of the stone concluded, the Kobold would set about trying to clear the camp site of any fair sized stones as much as possible during the wait, admitted only then(if prompted) to suspicions of a return visit in the night. "Wouldn't be the first time the little gremlins set their sights on robbing the unsuspecting."He added dryly.
The work promised to be difficult if not impossible to be successful, as his intent had been to clear at least a 20ft thick parameter barren of geonid sized stones. But short of being called away to help in other things, the Kobold was content with committing to familiar and mindless toil.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
While the group continues to rest, they talk about the details of the most immediate exploration plan. Hun makes sure to finish putting together a set of tools for the explorers, handing them over when the time is right.
Both Yulmiath and Kairus fell better after some rest, short as it was. (Yulmiath recovers 23 HP, Kairus recovers 9 HP.)
(OOC: If Hun, Rhogal, or Krodhen want to use Hit Dice, please do so now.)
I'm amending this post to add that Krodhen recovers 10 HP (as per OOC chat) and Rhogal and Hun have chosen not to roll Hit Dice.
@Kairus/@Blue: You assess that a Tiny creature would be able to pass through the crack without trouble, and a Small creature would be able to squeeze through (squeeze rules). By now you have learnt that geonids are indeed Small creatures, though the odd one can be either Tiny or Medium. Based on the description given to you by the Nagas, the statue in question is actually a statuette, which you assume means it is rather small (as opposed to a large garden statue, for instance). With a Nat20 you also catch a glimpse of a small angled wedge statically placed into the crack. You recognize it as a some sort of simple trap.
@Rhogal/@Drache: There are indeed some rocks around the cave, and you have come to know that these geonids can be virtually indistinguishable from regular rocks when they crouch and remain immobile. Visual inspection alone won't suffice if you want to be sure the rocks in the area are indeed just plain rocks.
@Yulmiath/@MB: Eeyal responds with a click of her tongue: "Well, I already started cooking, Krodhen already started watching, and we won't need a campfire to keep us warm tonight. Kairus even set up one of the tents before he left, or maybe he is still here, I am not sure. If we are staying here tonight, maybe you can set up the other tents? We all know Hun is not going to do it." She chuckles as she heats some food on hot rocks.
@Hun/@Ori: The rocks are a bit warm, but you can certainly devise a way to roll them away from camp in a safe manner. Thankfully, none of the rocks you roll sprout legs and start walking on their own.
@Krodhen/@MuggsHill: You assume a position somewhere in the midpoint between cave and camp. This allows you to be the first one to see the band of geonids approach again. They are back for more, it seems. They stop by you instead of making their way to camp. They start talking in their strange language but, without Kairus around, you have no idea what they are saying. They are vigorously pointing at your armor.
@Hun & @Yulmiath: Sooner or later, you catch a glimpse of Krodhen somewhere in the distance, downhill from camp. He is struggling to have a conversation with the geonids.
"Then it's most likely not in this cave," concluded Kairus in Common. "We can make sure of it if someone is willing to get there invisible and poke around a bit, rather than waste money."
He turned back to geonids. "Well, thanks then. We'll rest a bit and move one. Have a nice night." There was a possibility for the creatures to watch the group through the night but the party had nothing to hide (for the most part), so, he, personally, did not warry that much.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Yulmiath waves the geonids off, watching their retreat back into the jungle, trying to judge whether they've really gone or are waiting for the Snack Pack to drop their guard.
Perception - 8
Hun had rather absently conveyed what he picked up, seeming still somewhat lost in thought processing it all. By the time he collects enough thoughts back together as to make another suggestion on points of inquiry, the Kobold hesitated, registering in Yulmiath's dismissal an end to the conversation. Yet with barely more than a grunt of his own, he more actively ran maintenance on Mr. Thicc during the Geonids' hopefully peaceful departure.
His spell would remain ongoing up until they were well out of sight and out of range... just in case.
"Ah yes, young blue. Almost forgot you had that going for you. Perhaps after at least finishing our short rest here, uh... oh! Well, hmn... if you're up for it, uh... Rhooogal? Might you turn into something and do the sneaky sneak in a bit into the caves?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I suppose I could give it a go..." Rhogal replies to Hun, still not sure if he trusts what the geonids say. "Assumin' it be hot, like the last cave, bein' a spider or th' like might not last too long."
"If that happens, we may need to move quick or prepare fer another scuffle."
Extended Signature
Kairus decides to end the conversation right then and there, and Yulmiath could not have agreed more. As they wave the band of geonids away, Hun makes sure to collect the surface thoughts of one of them. It is thinking about all the large pieces of metal the Snackers have, and the red gems on the kobold's amulet.
Despite Yulmiath's suspicions, he can't be sure whether the visitors completely left the area or not after direct line of sight is broken. Perhaps they are waiting in the shadows, perhaps they are off to find another party to harass.
The party plans for a quick stop by the nearest cave once their rest is over.
(OOC: The remainder of the Short Rest goes on without a hitch. You may roll Hit Dice and hit that Short Rest button on your sheets. Before moving on to Rhogal's solo exploration mission, I'd like to know for sure what animal he is turning into and what everyone else is doing while they wait.)
Yulmiath finds a comfortable looking spot and settles down. Karius and Rhogal might be gone for a wee while, so makes sense to make the most of the break for a while at least.
"You two better prepare a secret signal so we know to come running if there's an issue in the cave. Whooping and hollering might be an idea?"
While the dynamic duo head off, he takes one of the stones he took from the first geonid cave out of his pack and gives it a once over.
Investigation - 7
He then offers the rock out to Hun and Krodhen for their take.
"You two make anything of this here shiny rock?"
(OOC Rolling two of Yully's hit dice, given his previous rolls it would be just his luck to only heal 4hp! - 23.)
HD (1) 9
"Whooping and hollering sound good. We'll do that. Can you pretend there are more of you here than in reality? In case those rocks are watching." He helped to raise a tent and got another idea. "Rhogal, come. We can transform inside the tent, so should they look, they'll think we are still inside."
With that he played some random melody, ending it with the "accord of invisibility" and was ready to follow the druid out. Kairus planned to stay a few steps behind to give Rhogal some space but to keep him in sight in case of complications. "That will be fun! And if works - we can check like this all the caves without raising alarms and genociding those rocks!" Kairus hoped his words were encouraging enough. The tone definitely was!
Bardic Inspiration to Rhogal.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Hun thanked Rhogal in a curt nod for the sacrifice, but would've shaken his head on having anything to offer relief from the heat. Throughout the rest itself -- in which hindsight, Hun got back to altering and creating the new more metallic tools -- the kobold seemed distracted, and would sometimes look out ot nearby stone structures in wariness. However, he never voices the last thoughts picked up from the geonid. Not yet, at least, or anytime soon at that.
"Hm? What?" He snaps to attention, then squints at Yulmiath's offering. "When did you... ah, nevermind. Let me have at it. If anyone would know anything about geology that'd be me! ... And, uh, I guess Rhogal too. Though, he seems and smells the more, uh, veggie sort, if you catch my drift." Just as soon as the stone is in hand Hun changes lenses and twisting the rim of his goggles like one would a die in further study of the stone.
Investigation: 17. (or if Nature would be better, it'd be a +4 bonus and no adv. instead.)
"'Fore you two head off as well, take those tools over there--" Mr. Thicc takes the words as que to offer the recently made belt of masonry tools to Triton and Dwarf pair. "Use'm to stall if ya need to. I can always remake'm later anyhow." He carried on somewhat absently, as his attention never waved from the stone in hand.
(@Lerus: Hun plans to be thorough in his examination of the stone, so will be studying it at length while the stealth mission is going on.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(Rhogal is planning on WIld Shaping into a giant wolf spider.)
Extended Signature
FIRST THINGS FIRST
While the group continues to rest, they talk about the details of the most immediate exploration plan. Hun makes sure to finish putting together a set of tools for the explorers, handing them over when the time is right.
Both Yulmiath and Kairus fell better after some rest, short as it was. (Yulmiath recovers 23 HP, Kairus recovers 9 HP.)
(OOC: If Hun, Rhogal, or Krodhen want to use Hit Dice, please do so now.)
AFTER THE REST - EXPLORATION PARTY
Kairus and Rhogal go into a tent do they can transform out of sight of others, be them friend or foe. Kairus' plan works well initially, as he becomes invisible after casting the appropriate spell. The bard is sure to weave a few inspirational words in his casting as well, so that Rhogal feels well supported (Bardic Inspiration.)
The deceitful plan does not work so well in the end when Rhogal exits the tent in the form of a giant wolf spider. The arachnid would certainly catch the eye of any and everyone watching the camp. Regardless, the transformed druid and the invisible bard make their way to cave number-two and begin to descend.
This cave bends to the right shortly after the opening. In what the duo may see as good news, the tunnel continues on for no more than 30 feet after the bend and then it suddenly comes to a natural end. It all looks and feels like warm rock, as one could expect. Both Kairus and Spider-Rhogal (passive perception) notice that the only feature of note here is a small crack on the jagged dead-end wall. They figure a small creature could squeeze if it was feeling especially curious. Unfortunately for them, neither the triton nor the spider are small-framed enough.
AFTER SHORT REST - AT CAMP
Yulmiath, Krodhen, Eeyal, Hun, and Mr. Thicc stay back at camp for a while longer. The kobold and the dragonborn use their time to look more closely at the colorful stones they found in the first cave (let's call that roll a nature check.) Yulmiath gives them a quick look, showing interest in what the artificer is about to do. Hun decides to take his time with them.
Meanwhile, Eeyal decides this might be a good time to start warming up some food, so she gets that going. Krodhen glances at the stones but believes his skill are better suited for keeping an eye out. Mr. Thicc accompanies the paladin on watch duty, making sure the canoe is well watched as well.
Eventually, Hun puts his tools down. His studies of the stones may be concluded but the artificer does not look very happy. These seem to be nothing more than volcanic rocks which picked up some pigmentation while forming. They might be good for some crafting, or perhaps for trading purposes at the Ahoyhoy market, but certainly are not exotic enough to be considered precious stones in any way. Eeyal says "They are pretty enough for the gentle folk of Ahoyhoy, but don't expect to get real coin for them."
Shrugging, Yulmiath pops the rock back in his bag. If he's to be a purveyor of shiny rocks and crystals, there are likely some teenagers or mystical types who might be interested, or if not, a little bit of barter works for him just fine. Realising that there is likely a bit of work to do for the group's camp tonight, he volunteers himself to do anything that might help and if it helps put any watching geonids at ease, so much the better.
"Eeyal, do we need anything for camp tonight?"
Survival - 18
(OOC Bit of pre-emptive skill roll there, might not need it, but helps things move on if we do.)
Krodhen's perception roll for guard duty 19
Somewhat refreshed with the break, Krodhen watches the spider (and invisible Kairus) head off and positions himself along the path they headed down, but still within sight of the others, and pulls a javelin out for good measure, then looks for a place to sit and watch.
"Bubbles the Barbarian" (Locathah - Lvl 9) - Locathah Rising; Shai'ere Delatete (Githyanki Monk - Lvl 9) Rrakkma (deceased - MindFlayer); Saros Rockfoot (Deep Gnome Diviner - Lvl 5) - The Lost Kenku & One Grung Above; Tagret (Goliath Barbarian - Lvl 2) - Tales of Faerun;
The most important question was here the presence of other geonids. Kairus did search for them, but those rocks could be tricky. The next question was the worthiness of going into the crack.
Trying his best not to step on any of the numerous legs of spider-Rhogal, he got closer to the potential entry. Investigation: 15
Is the creature fitting it should be small or tiny? Would a geonid be able to get through here? Would the statue of the snake fit in it?
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
For better or worse, Hun had been too caught up in other things to pay the giant spider waltzing out of the tent any mind at the time. Or else he might've shot Rhogal an incredulous look on the dwarf's way out. Irregardless, once Hun's studying of the stone concluded, the Kobold would set about trying to clear the camp site of any fair sized stones as much as possible during the wait, admitted only then(if prompted) to suspicions of a return visit in the night. "Wouldn't be the first time the little gremlins set their sights on robbing the unsuspecting." He added dryly.
The work promised to be difficult if not impossible to be successful, as his intent had been to clear at least a 20ft thick parameter barren of geonid sized stones. But short of being called away to help in other things, the Kobold was content with committing to familiar and mindless toil.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Rhogal looks around (still in spider form) to see if any geonids are around the immediate vicinity.
Perception: 23
(I think that’s how that works for wild shape, if not, apply +2)
Extended Signature
I'm amending this post to add that Krodhen recovers 10 HP (as per OOC chat) and Rhogal and Hun have chosen not to roll Hit Dice.
AFTER THE REST - EXPLORATION PARTY
@Kairus/@Blue: You assess that a Tiny creature would be able to pass through the crack without trouble, and a Small creature would be able to squeeze through (squeeze rules). By now you have learnt that geonids are indeed Small creatures, though the odd one can be either Tiny or Medium. Based on the description given to you by the Nagas, the statue in question is actually a statuette, which you assume means it is rather small (as opposed to a large garden statue, for instance). With a Nat20 you also catch a glimpse of a small angled wedge statically placed into the crack. You recognize it as a some sort of simple trap.
@Rhogal/@Drache: There are indeed some rocks around the cave, and you have come to know that these geonids can be virtually indistinguishable from regular rocks when they crouch and remain immobile. Visual inspection alone won't suffice if you want to be sure the rocks in the area are indeed just plain rocks.
AFTER SHORT REST - AT CAMP
@Yulmiath/@MB: Eeyal responds with a click of her tongue: "Well, I already started cooking, Krodhen already started watching, and we won't need a campfire to keep us warm tonight. Kairus even set up one of the tents before he left, or maybe he is still here, I am not sure. If we are staying here tonight, maybe you can set up the other tents? We all know Hun is not going to do it." She chuckles as she heats some food on hot rocks.
@Hun/@Ori: The rocks are a bit warm, but you can certainly devise a way to roll them away from camp in a safe manner. Thankfully, none of the rocks you roll sprout legs and start walking on their own.
@Krodhen/@MuggsHill: You assume a position somewhere in the midpoint between cave and camp. This allows you to be the first one to see the band of geonids approach again. They are back for more, it seems. They stop by you instead of making their way to camp. They start talking in their strange language but, without Kairus around, you have no idea what they are saying. They are vigorously pointing at your armor.
@Hun & @Yulmiath: Sooner or later, you catch a glimpse of Krodhen somewhere in the distance, downhill from camp. He is struggling to have a conversation with the geonids.