The way is slow, and requires a bit of trial and error, but within a few minutes Ruby finds herself on level (but very slimy and slippery) ground. She is then able to offer a bit verbal advice to the others as they make their descent. Surveying their new surroundings after everyone, including Riv, has reached the bottom of this chasm, the party realizes they must make a decision about which way to go. One passage way leads directly east, but a second branches off in southeasterly direction.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
“Well, looks like we have a bit of a choice. I can sneak up each one and see if I can hear or see anything either way, but I’d like to hear what you gentlemen would like to do. With the terrain the way it is, it is going to be slow going. And if those lizard like creatures can move through it like we saw them do, they are way ahead of us.”
Ruby looks at the 4 of you to see if there is any ideas popping in heads. Then she looks around where they are and see if she can see or hear anything.
Copper takes one knee, lower his torch to get better light on the ground, looking as best he can for any sign of prints or markings from anyone who has passed through her recently.
Survival: 10
Failing that, do either of the passages wetter and slimier than the other?
After a minute or so of teamwork, scrutinizing the ground, you find what appears to be a small trail of blood leading into the southeastern tunnel. One of the troglodytes that fled the battle had been seriously wounded.
Regarding the dampness and sliminess in the area, both passageways are equally affected by the unusual heaviness of the underground moisture.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Wow, great job spotting that blood trail! You know, I thought we had hit them, good thing too - not only injured and now it'll lead us right to them!" Ruby exclaims with a gleam in her eye. "Well, shall we? I'll scout on ahead, I'd hate for one of them to be waiting for us and we walk right into an ambush!"
Again, Copper waits for Ruby to to move off down the southeastern tunnel before following. He does smile to himself at her enthusiasm as she goes.
While waiting for Ruby to put some distance between herself and the rest of the party, Copper thinks for a moment and then in hushed tones, speaks to the others.
"The trogs don't seem to have the wherewithal to set all this up. They have to just be pawns." he pauses a moment, scratches his beard, then continues. "That still leaves us figuring out who would want to pit our clans against each other."
He looks carefully at Riv.
"Any one have a beef with your current bosses? Anyone willing to cause a cave in out of spite?"
Riv shakes his head in a sign of uncertainty. "A few days ago, I would have said 'no' to such a question. Today, I am not so certain. Five of our clan are inexplicably missing, and one of them turns up in the company of the lizard filth."
Riv falls silent for a while before adding, "Find Miznak. Find answers."
<> - <> - <> - <> - <> - <> - <> - <>
Meanwhile, Ruby follows the southeastern tunnel, carefully negotiating its rapid descent and slimy footing. She estimates that she's covered more than three hundred yards when she sees a variety of humanoid skulls and bones lining the ceiling and walls of the tunnel. Its clear these items have been placed with intention, as if they are some sort of announcement to any who might see them.
Seeing no immediate danger, she heads back to where the others can see her and waves them to join her. Then she shows them the start of the creepy portion of the tunnel.
(what's the width of this new portion of tunnel and is it still very slimy?)
Douth recognizes them as, primarily, humanoid bones, some larger than others. It is Riv, however, who provides a deeper explanation. "This marks the beginning of their tribal area. Beyond this point, the troglodytes believe they reign."
Copper looks down at the skeletal remains and shakes his head.
”All of these deserved a better burial than this. Regardless of what their involvement is, if they think they can waltz around taking our people whether they be hill, gray or mountain, they need to be reminded of the consequences of coming into our lands.”
Copper shifts his shield and axe and heads into the tunnel past the skulls.
Ruby looks to Copper as he gets ready to head into the tunnel, apparently the entrance to those troglodytes. "Copper? After that battle, even though you graciously healed me, I'm still quite bloody (21/40 hp), do you mind if we take a short rest? Post up here in case any come or go, but I think we have them cornered." Ruby looks to the rest, "Sorry to hold you all up, but with what I'm expecting we'll find, I want to be at my best if possible."
Riv, although conscious and alert, is still badly wounded. Nodding his head in agreement with Ruby, the duergar says, "I'd benefit from a bit of downtime as well."
“Alright! Now that we’re up to snuff, let’s get going!” And she sheaths her rapiers now that she has them cleaned and gets up to go, waiting for Copper to take the lead.
The group's rest is uninterrupted, and an hour or so later, the four of you, with Riv's company, head down the tunnel leading into the troglodyte realm. All of you perceive the following changes as you go:
The tunnel continues steadily to descend deeper into the mountain
The air grows significantly cooler
The moisture and slime on the walls, ceiling, and floor increases
The foul stench of the troglodytes intensifies
After traveling without incident for approximately thirty minutes, the passageway widens and you perceive several small openings in various places in the rock walls. You can't help but think that these openings are somehow connected to the troglodytes that fled this direction. Riv confirms this suspicion when he says, "Watch those cave openings closely."
Map (w/ party's location highlighted in yellow and small openings in the rock denoted in white):
The way is slow, and requires a bit of trial and error, but within a few minutes Ruby finds herself on level (but very slimy and slippery) ground. She is then able to offer a bit verbal advice to the others as they make their descent. Surveying their new surroundings after everyone, including Riv, has reached the bottom of this chasm, the party realizes they must make a decision about which way to go. One passage way leads directly east, but a second branches off in southeasterly direction.
“Well, looks like we have a bit of a choice. I can sneak up each one and see if I can hear or see anything either way, but I’d like to hear what you gentlemen would like to do. With the terrain the way it is, it is going to be slow going. And if those lizard like creatures can move through it like we saw them do, they are way ahead of us.”
Ruby looks at the 4 of you to see if there is any ideas popping in heads. Then she looks around where they are and see if she can see or hear anything.
Perception: 20
Copper takes one knee, lower his torch to get better light on the ground, looking as best he can for any sign of prints or markings from anyone who has passed through her recently.
Survival: 10
Failing that, do either of the passages wetter and slimier than the other?
Survival with a bit of help from Douth 19
After a minute or so of teamwork, scrutinizing the ground, you find what appears to be a small trail of blood leading into the southeastern tunnel. One of the troglodytes that fled the battle had been seriously wounded.
Regarding the dampness and sliminess in the area, both passageways are equally affected by the unusual heaviness of the underground moisture.
"Wow, great job spotting that blood trail! You know, I thought we had hit them, good thing too - not only injured and now it'll lead us right to them!" Ruby exclaims with a gleam in her eye. "Well, shall we? I'll scout on ahead, I'd hate for one of them to be waiting for us and we walk right into an ambush!"
Stealth: 24 Perception: 12
Again, Copper waits for Ruby to to move off down the southeastern tunnel before following. He does smile to himself at her enthusiasm as she goes.
While waiting for Ruby to put some distance between herself and the rest of the party, Copper thinks for a moment and then in hushed tones, speaks to the others.
"The trogs don't seem to have the wherewithal to set all this up. They have to just be pawns." he pauses a moment, scratches his beard, then continues. "That still leaves us figuring out who would want to pit our clans against each other."
He looks carefully at Riv.
"Any one have a beef with your current bosses? Anyone willing to cause a cave in out of spite?"
Riv shakes his head in a sign of uncertainty. "A few days ago, I would have said 'no' to such a question. Today, I am not so certain. Five of our clan are inexplicably missing, and one of them turns up in the company of the lizard filth."
Riv falls silent for a while before adding, "Find Miznak. Find answers."
<> - <> - <> - <> - <> - <> - <> - <>
Meanwhile, Ruby follows the southeastern tunnel, carefully negotiating its rapid descent and slimy footing. She estimates that she's covered more than three hundred yards when she sees a variety of humanoid skulls and bones lining the ceiling and walls of the tunnel. Its clear these items have been placed with intention, as if they are some sort of announcement to any who might see them.
Seeing no immediate danger, she heads back to where the others can see her and waves them to join her. Then she shows them the start of the creepy portion of the tunnel.
(what's the width of this new portion of tunnel and is it still very slimy?)
Douth recognizes them as, primarily, humanoid bones, some larger than others. It is Riv, however, who provides a deeper explanation. "This marks the beginning of their tribal area. Beyond this point, the troglodytes believe they reign."
Copper looks down at the skeletal remains and shakes his head.
”All of these deserved a better burial than this. Regardless of what their involvement is, if they think they can waltz around taking our people whether they be hill, gray or mountain, they need to be reminded of the consequences of coming into our lands.”
Copper shifts his shield and axe and heads into the tunnel past the skulls.
Ruby looks to Copper as he gets ready to head into the tunnel, apparently the entrance to those troglodytes. "Copper? After that battle, even though you graciously healed me, I'm still quite bloody (21/40 hp), do you mind if we take a short rest? Post up here in case any come or go, but I think we have them cornered." Ruby looks to the rest, "Sorry to hold you all up, but with what I'm expecting we'll find, I want to be at my best if possible."
Riv, although conscious and alert, is still badly wounded. Nodding his head in agreement with Ruby, the duergar says, "I'd benefit from a bit of downtime as well."
Copper stops and nods at Ruby.
“Aye. We could all use a wee breather.” He says as he selects a rock to park himself on and keep watch on the tunnel while they rest.
1HD during rest: 6
"Oh good" and she sits on the floor to heal.
Hit die rolls:
5
9
7
“Alright! Now that we’re up to snuff, let’s get going!” And she sheaths her rapiers now that she has them cleaned and gets up to go, waiting for Copper to take the lead.
The group's rest is uninterrupted, and an hour or so later, the four of you, with Riv's company, head down the tunnel leading into the troglodyte realm. All of you perceive the following changes as you go:
After traveling without incident for approximately thirty minutes, the passageway widens and you perceive several small openings in various places in the rock walls. You can't help but think that these openings are somehow connected to the troglodytes that fled this direction. Riv confirms this suspicion when he says, "Watch those cave openings closely."
Map (w/ party's location highlighted in yellow and small openings in the rock denoted in white):