Copper does his best to keep his armor from making any noise as he moves down to where Ruby was as she moves closer to the sounds. If whoever is making the banging and clanking noises makes them continuously he'll try to time his movement with their noises.
Stealth: 10
As the unseen speakers talk, does the dwarvish sound like that of an Immercleave clan member, or is it accented?
The approaching voices fall quiet, but the sound of footsteps grows louder for another fifteen seconds or so before everything goes quiet. Straining your ears in hopes of detecting even the slightest clue, you suddenly hear a loud and distinct clink. A metal object of some sort has struck the floor, wall, or ceiling of the cavern. Moments later you hear someone gruffly utter in Dwarvish, "Up we go! Careful!"
It seems that whoever is approaching you is doing so by climbing...
Updated map (reflecting Ruby's most recent movement):
(Please be specific about direction and distance of character movement. One square = 5 feet. The sound of the clinking metal and the words spoken in Dwarvish are coming from somewhere off the southern end of the map).
Friar (Assuming Green Dot) moves 10 feet east to outcroping
The approaching strangers continue to make their way toward you, and their back-and-forth comments about where to step and how to navigate the climb indicate they're making little to no effort to keep quiet. Despite the fact that they are communicating in Dwarvish, you can distinguish that they do so with a slight accent. These are not members of Clan Immercleave.
The darkness prevents you from seeing them when they reach the portion of the cavern that lies just south of you, but by the sound of their voices and footsteps you know they are close. The four of you silently wait in hiding, and, at last, you can make out a few details about those who approach: they are indeed dwarves, but they are grey dwarves. Duergar. Nothing about their demeanor suggests they are aware of your presence...
Updated map (Friar's location might be a bit off; he's likely a few steps to the west, hiding):
Ruby hears the Duergar approaching and stays hidden. She waits for them to pass and hoping that the three from her clan will stop them and she’ll come out then from behind. She also can’t wait to explore where they came from, this is crazy that this has been below their own crypt.
The approaching strangers continue to make their way toward you, and their back-and-forth comments about where to step and how to navigate the climb indicate they're making little to no effort to keep quiet. Despite the fact that they are communicating in Dwarvish, you can distinguish that they do so with a slight accent. These are not members of Clan Immercleave.
The darkness prevents you from seeing them when they reach the portion of the cavern that lies just south of you, but by the sound of their voices and footsteps you know they are close. The four of you silently wait in hiding, and, at last, you can make out a few details about those who approach: they are indeed dwarves, but they are grey dwarves. Duergar. Nothing about their demeanor suggests they are aware of your presence...
Updated map (Friar's location might be a bit off; he's likely a few steps to the west, hiding):
Friar (Red Dot) Holds positions and waits to see what the Duergar do
Copper looks at the approaching duergars and frowns.
He steps out into the chamber further, taking a few steps towards the duergars.
"Alright, that's far enough," Copper says, his voice reverting to full watch officer mode. "You're a little far from home, don't you think? You're already trespassing in Immercleave space. The tools indicate you're up to mischief. And there's a whole mess up above that we need answers for."
He hitches up his belt and looks sternly at that group.
"What have you got to say for yourselves?"
While he moves out, drawing attention to himself while questioning the duergars, Copper makes sure not to look in the direction or give any indication that the rest of the party are there.
Copper brings an abrupt end to the suspense. The look of surprise that crosses the duergars' faces is something you can see despite the dim light. All three of the grey dwarves halt their forward progress, and the nearest duergar--clad in chainmail and carrying a shield and warhammer--responds, "Weighty words from one lone dwarf. The tales of the boastful Immercleave are true!"
The two grey dwarves behind him slowly draw their crossbows, and it seems the presence of Friar, Douth, and Ruby are completely unknown to the duergars.
Copper brings an abrupt end to the suspense. The look of surprise that crosses the duergars' faces is something you can see despite the dim light. All three of the grey dwarves halt their forward progress, and the nearest duergar--clad in chainmail and carrying a shield and warhammer--responds, "Weighty words from one lone dwarf. The tales of the boastful Immercleave are true!"
The two grey dwarves behind him slowly draw their crossbows, and it seems the presence of Friar, Douth, and Ruby are completely unknown to the duergars.
Updated map:
Friar will hug the wall and advance as quietly as possible 13
As Copper speaks and moves farther south, the lead duergar grips his warhammer, seemingly to indicate he will trade blows with Copper if the situation calls for it. The two crossbow-wielding duergars behind him maintain their aim. After an uncomfortable few seconds of silence, the lead duergar, in Dwarvish, says, "Lower your 'bows, lads. We shall speak and not fight. For now."
Both duergars do so, but they remain suspicious.
"I am called Riv," explains the hammer-wielding duergar. "The twins here.."---he motions to the other duergars--"..are Pelik and Torik. We are of Clan Timrizash*. Tell us who you are, and how many. Then let us speak of these murders."
Riv's tone is barely cordial and mildly suspicious.
*The four of you know the name Timrizash. Long ago, in the battle in Whispering Cavern against the tanarukk, Clan Timrizash sent a few of its bravest warriors to aid in the fight. Some say that Timrizash did so purely for self-serving purposes, but most agree that his warriors played a key role in the victory. Some in Immercleave, however, are quick to minimize the importance of any duergar contribution.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Copper nods a greeting, keeping his hand away from his axe.
"Well met, Riv of the Timrizash," Copper begins and adds a nod to the twins. "I am Adren Keenanvil of the Immercleave. My comrade behind is Friar Tuckerman. And yes, there are others, but like you, we are cautious at the moment."
Copper then tells the duergar about the funeral party and the crypt up above and the carnage they have found as well as the dead duergar, plus the one at the bottom of the steep shaft.
As he does, he keeps an eye on how Riv responds, seeing if this is news to him or if he may already know.
Riv narrows his gaze as he sifts through what has just been said, and Copper discerns that Riv was unaware of the deaths of the three duergars. Riv turns his head slightly and mutters something in Undercommon to Pelik and Torik. They nod in response.
"Greetings to you Adren Keenanvil, and..."--motioning with his warhammer toward Friar--"..to you, Friar Tuckerman."
Then, raising his voice, Riv calls out with a barely perceptible sneer, "And greetings to any who remain cautious in the shadows!"
When his voice ceases to echo through the cavern, Riv remarks, "We are seeking some of our Clan. Eight in total. Their disappearance is a strange matter. I ask that you show us our dead."
NOTE: There's no evidence that Riv, Pelik, or Torik are aware of Douth or Ruby's presence nearby.
Ruby can’t handle it anymore. She doesn’t want Copper and Friar having all the fun! She’s never even talked with a druegar before and she is more curious than worried. And with Douth invisible, she feels they still will have the upper hand. “Greetings back to you all as well,” Ruby comes out of her hiding spot and stands near Copper. “Seems to me the need for caution is behind us as we are trying to figure out quite the puzzle here with our dead clansman and your dead and missing ones. I feel we can assist each other.”
Riv narrows his gaze as he sifts through what has just been said, and Copper discerns that Riv was unaware of the deaths of the three duergars. Riv turns his head slightly and mutters something in Undercommon to Pelik and Torik. They nod in response.
"Greetings to you Adren Keenanvil, and..."--motioning with his warhammer toward Friar--"..to you, Friar Tuckerman."
Then, raising his voice, Riv calls out with a barely perceptible sneer, "And greetings to any who remain cautious in the shadows!"
When his voice ceases to echo through the cavern, Riv remarks, "We are seeking some of our Clan. Eight in total. Their disappearance is a strange matter. I ask that you show us our dead."
NOTE: There's no evidence that Riv, Pelik, or Torik are aware of Douth or Ruby's presence nearby.
Riv scrutinizes Ruby after she steps into view. "There's three," he remarks gruffly.
Then, looking at Copper, Riv replies vaguely, "Orders. Nothing more. We are here because we have been sent here. Every place we know had to be searched."
"An insult," comments Pelik, seemingly referring to the orders they are following.
"Yes," responds Riv. '"Yet it seems we may be the ones who've found something of importance. I'll drink to that irony. Strange. One of our remotest caverns connects to an Immercleave tunnel. That is news indeed. Very well, if you'll lead on we will remove our dead from your sacred place."
Copper does his best to keep his armor from making any noise as he moves down to where Ruby was as she moves closer to the sounds. If whoever is making the banging and clanking noises makes them continuously he'll try to time his movement with their noises.
Stealth: 10
As the unseen speakers talk, does the dwarvish sound like that of an Immercleave clan member, or is it accented?
Friar will move along the opposite wall quietly3
The approaching strangers continue to make their way toward you, and their back-and-forth comments about where to step and how to navigate the climb indicate they're making little to no effort to keep quiet. Despite the fact that they are communicating in Dwarvish, you can distinguish that they do so with a slight accent. These are not members of Clan Immercleave.
The darkness prevents you from seeing them when they reach the portion of the cavern that lies just south of you, but by the sound of their voices and footsteps you know they are close. The four of you silently wait in hiding, and, at last, you can make out a few details about those who approach: they are indeed dwarves, but they are grey dwarves. Duergar. Nothing about their demeanor suggests they are aware of your presence...
Updated map (Friar's location might be a bit off; he's likely a few steps to the west, hiding):
Ruby hears the Duergar approaching and stays hidden. She waits for them to pass and hoping that the three from her clan will stop them and she’ll come out then from behind. She also can’t wait to explore where they came from, this is crazy that this has been below their own crypt.
Friar (Red Dot) Holds positions and waits to see what the Duergar do
Copper looks at the approaching duergars and frowns.
He steps out into the chamber further, taking a few steps towards the duergars.
"Alright, that's far enough," Copper says, his voice reverting to full watch officer mode. "You're a little far from home, don't you think? You're already trespassing in Immercleave space. The tools indicate you're up to mischief. And there's a whole mess up above that we need answers for."
He hitches up his belt and looks sternly at that group.
"What have you got to say for yourselves?"
While he moves out, drawing attention to himself while questioning the duergars, Copper makes sure not to look in the direction or give any indication that the rest of the party are there.
Move: 2 west, 2 south
Copper brings an abrupt end to the suspense. The look of surprise that crosses the duergars' faces is something you can see despite the dim light. All three of the grey dwarves halt their forward progress, and the nearest duergar--clad in chainmail and carrying a shield and warhammer--responds, "Weighty words from one lone dwarf. The tales of the boastful Immercleave are true!"
The two grey dwarves behind him slowly draw their crossbows, and it seems the presence of Friar, Douth, and Ruby are completely unknown to the duergars.
Updated map:
Friar will hug the wall and advance as quietly as possible 13
With their superior darkvision, the duergars notice Friar immediately...
Initiative (just in case...)
Group with the higher average will act first
...and the two duergars wielding crossbows appear ready to take aim. The lead duergar speaks, but this time, he uses Undercommon rather than Dwarvish.
Players may act in any order.
Copper can see that the duergar have spotted someone behind him.
"Of course I'm not alone," Copper says. "Someone has murdered our brethren and that takes more than one to investigate."
He looks at the duergar for a moment and decides to pursue the hunch he's had.
"Someone killed duergar as well. Did you know that?" Copper asks. "Tell us what you know and we'll tell you what we know."
Persuasion: 25
He moves towards the gray dwarves as he talks.
Movement - Full 25' south.
As Copper speaks and moves farther south, the lead duergar grips his warhammer, seemingly to indicate he will trade blows with Copper if the situation calls for it. The two crossbow-wielding duergars behind him maintain their aim. After an uncomfortable few seconds of silence, the lead duergar, in Dwarvish, says, "Lower your 'bows, lads. We shall speak and not fight. For now."
Both duergars do so, but they remain suspicious.
"I am called Riv," explains the hammer-wielding duergar. "The twins here.."---he motions to the other duergars--"..are Pelik and Torik. We are of Clan Timrizash*. Tell us who you are, and how many. Then let us speak of these murders."
Riv's tone is barely cordial and mildly suspicious.
*The four of you know the name Timrizash. Long ago, in the battle in Whispering Cavern against the tanarukk, Clan Timrizash sent a few of its bravest warriors to aid in the fight. Some say that Timrizash did so purely for self-serving purposes, but most agree that his warriors played a key role in the victory. Some in Immercleave, however, are quick to minimize the importance of any duergar contribution.
Copper nods a greeting, keeping his hand away from his axe.
"Well met, Riv of the Timrizash," Copper begins and adds a nod to the twins. "I am Adren Keenanvil of the Immercleave. My comrade behind is Friar Tuckerman. And yes, there are others, but like you, we are cautious at the moment."
Copper then tells the duergar about the funeral party and the crypt up above and the carnage they have found as well as the dead duergar, plus the one at the bottom of the steep shaft.
As he does, he keeps an eye on how Riv responds, seeing if this is news to him or if he may already know.
Insight 7
"Nothing was stolen, nor desecrated. Just death."
Riv narrows his gaze as he sifts through what has just been said, and Copper discerns that Riv was unaware of the deaths of the three duergars. Riv turns his head slightly and mutters something in Undercommon to Pelik and Torik. They nod in response.
"Greetings to you Adren Keenanvil, and..."--motioning with his warhammer toward Friar--"..to you, Friar Tuckerman."
Then, raising his voice, Riv calls out with a barely perceptible sneer, "And greetings to any who remain cautious in the shadows!"
When his voice ceases to echo through the cavern, Riv remarks, "We are seeking some of our Clan. Eight in total. Their disappearance is a strange matter. I ask that you show us our dead."
NOTE: There's no evidence that Riv, Pelik, or Torik are aware of Douth or Ruby's presence nearby.
Ruby can’t handle it anymore. She doesn’t want Copper and Friar having all the fun! She’s never even talked with a druegar before and she is more curious than worried. And with Douth invisible, she feels they still will have the upper hand.
“Greetings back to you all as well,” Ruby comes out of her hiding spot and stands near Copper. “Seems to me the need for caution is behind us as we are trying to figure out quite the puzzle here with our dead clansman and your dead and missing ones. I feel we can assist each other.”
Copper nods as Riv speaks then raises an eyebrow as Ruby steps out of the shadows and joins them.
"We will show you," Copper says, "but first, what made you come this way looking for them? This is a long way from your home."
Friar approaches to stand with Copper
Riv scrutinizes Ruby after she steps into view. "There's three," he remarks gruffly.
Then, looking at Copper, Riv replies vaguely, "Orders. Nothing more. We are here because we have been sent here. Every place we know had to be searched."
"An insult," comments Pelik, seemingly referring to the orders they are following.
"Yes," responds Riv. '"Yet it seems we may be the ones who've found something of importance. I'll drink to that irony. Strange. One of our remotest caverns connects to an Immercleave tunnel. That is news indeed. Very well, if you'll lead on we will remove our dead from your sacred place."