Addressing Ro, in a firm yet calm voice Kaede responds "You are quite the pompous and threatening one, aren't you? Your arrogance is quite evident to all. First, you treat all of us as if we're mere playthings in the way of your ulterior agenda and motives. Then, you threaten to kill Rum, when he's shown you nothing but friendship and kindness. Cause and effect. Then, you stoop lower than the worms in this soil and call me and my kin 'strays'. Cause and effect."
Continuing, "Your attitude is not gaining you any allies here."
"And the next time you question my religion and dedication to my family and friends, will be the last time your tongue is allowed to wag in that antagonistic mouth of yours. Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love..."
She'll then turn away from addressing Ro, and continue on down the stairs, sticking close to Wo-Dan as they walk into the open cavern.
Ro listens intently as Kaede speaks. The illithid is unfazed by her words, listening to the samurai as a student would listen to a lecture. After Kaede finishes, Ro raises a finger and prepares to speak. But the samurai has already walked off and joined sides with Wo-Dan.
Sensing the tension in the air, Ro decides that it's best to keep his mouth shut for now and simply continue forward with the party's objective.
Jek just looks back and forth between Ro and Lady Kaede as they argue. Well, there is some tension now.
As he steps into this new, alien world, Jek's eyes go wide with wonder. He has never seen anything like this. He's never even read anything like this. This is something new, and scary, and wonderful!
As they get to the bottom of the steps, Jek will pull out the map and his Orb of Direction, as he motions for the others to get closer. He says the command word, and a little glowing light points to the north inside the orb. He'll point at the map. "This is where we are now. The Shard should be in the Garthim Cavern east of here. We need to go south east to get to the gateway to get there. We also have to investigate the enemy's troop movements. And.... What else was on the list to do? Anyways, I think the right move is to go to Garthim Cavern and get the Crystal Shard first. Thoughts?"
Ro chimes in, "My apologies, I understand that we're here to retrieve the shard. And apparently one named Gmork is after us. So that I may best assist the group, could someone explain to me our exact objectives and what it is we are up against?"
Rum stands beside the others for a little longer before turning to Ro.
"The mission of the Ardent Remnants is to retrieve the Shard, find out if we can get to the Palace of the Crystal from within the Garthim Cavern which is underneath it, and try and get a handle on what is happening down here. We need to see if there are Imperials or anything else massing in these caverns", he says matter of factly.
"What is pitted against the Ardent Remnants, and Jek can tell you more on the first, is a creature of darkness that serves the Nothing called the Gmork. Along with that Subternia is likely populated with all sorts of dangerous creatures, plants and fungi. We are likely to find a lot of Arathim at the least, which are similar to Gohma in many ways, except when they die they are re-animated as flesh golems called Garthim. You then have to deal with them as well", he adds, looking the former False Knight in the eye and holding his gaze.
"Whether you are a member of the Ardent Remnants or not Ro, you seem set on accompanying us. With all I have said in mind, what we don't need is infighting and tension. I would like to tell everyone that now is the time to leave if they are not of singular mind, not committed to the mission, but that ship has sailed. So for the Great Dragon's sake let's cut the bickering and get to work", he says looking to each of his companions with a determined nod of encouragement.
That being said, he moves closer to Jek as he uses his orb and checks the map.
"I agree friend Jek, the Garthim cavern and retrieving the shard is priority. I think it best I scout ahead a ways, not too far, just enough to find danger before it finds us. As a group we are going to stand out down here for sure".
Ro listens to Rum intently. The illithid pauses a moment, ready to say something but decides against it. After a pause, the illithid finally responds, "Aye, the only way we'll be retrieving this shard and getting out alive is by working together."
Jek nods to Rum. "If you are going to scout ahead, I have something that can help."
He pats Rum on the shoulder and says "Scleth Epfle". As he does, Rums shadow pulls up and starts wrapping around him, completely enveloping him. As it does, the light starts going through him, making Rum completely disappear from sight. (Invisibility) "This will last for one hour. Or until I get distracted and stop concentrating. Stay safe!"
Rum accepts the aid previously offered by Ro, feeling his already extraordinary capabilities heightened further. And then Jek pats him on the shoulder, and he looks down at his paws and body in amazement as he can now see right through them.
"My gratitude to you both, Ro and friend Jek", he says. "If I encounter difficulty and need aid, I will blow upon my horn. It will be heard only by you friend Jek, so listen out and note the direction".
With that he moves out onto one of the game trail like paths through the wilderness towards the Garthim Cavern, moving as silently as possible and disturbing as little as possible. He reaches out with his senses of sight, hearing and smell for any sign of danger as he moves ahead of the other Ardent Remnants.
A glance at the ceiling, or sky, however one decides to see it, reveals that things aren't so different underground from the above-world. There are stars glimmering overhead...
Watching his steps downwards Wo-Dan still continues to look around for danger, at first glancing above he dismisses the lights as nothing important but his second glance causes him to slow a bit for a closer look.
"What.... stars? Here? Never would I have...."
Perception to judge distance and possible origin of the lights. -21
Jek looks up at the twinkling lights on the ceiling of the cavern while waiting on Rum to return. He says to the group, while watching the stars above "The Bright Lady's light even finds its ways to the darkest caverns beneath Hyboria. No matter what darkness the nothing brings with it, light will cut through it an lead us to victory."
Lady Kaede straightens her armor, making her look prim and proper, before calling out to the rest of the group, "Well then, no time to dilly-dally. Shall we move on, or wait here for the scout to return?"
Jek looks to Lady Kaede, then out into the darkness. "I don't know, we should have probably figured out what to do before... Oh hang on, getting a message." Jek steps away and holds the AURYN in his hand and closes his eyes.
Jek stands there for a few moments, then comes back. "Okay, completely forgot that Rum has one of these, too. Anyways, he's spotted a few suspicious creatures, but they are mostly concerned about not being seen. He said there was a creature like in the Deku Tree? It can snare you and pull you high up. And a lizard. We should follow the path he took, and he'll keep an eye from the high ground. Well, what are we all standing around for. Chop chop! Lets goooooooo!!!!!" With that, Jek will start heading down the game trail that Rum went down.
Wo-Dan reaches to stop Jek from bolting down the trail but was too distracted looking to the sky to catch him in time. Giving a heaving sigh with a rattle of bones he starts after the little Lightless.
"Come along then, best we stick together with dangerous creatures about."
The band begins to see the creatures of the underworld the further they get away from the stairs. There are all manner of things living down here in the dark. Sickly white looking trees. Giant mushrooms. Smaller mushrooms with reaching tentacles. There are stalagmites everywhere, some that are tiny, and some that are absolutely enormous, having been formed over the course of eons. The strange jellyfish things continue to make their pulsing way across the black sky above.
It's hours before the rest of the band sees the first of the red lizard-like creatures that seem to be following their every movement. They watch from the shadows, but don't seem interested in approaching the band. None of them look hostile.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the group walks past all the fascinating sights, sounds, smells, and creatures, Kaede pays special notice to the red lizard creatures. She’s wondering whether or not they’re sentient, intelligent creatures or merely animals who call the underdark their home.
Kaede whispers to the group to halt their progress, and then turns and nods in the direction of the red lizard creatures. "Those creatures appear to be sentient, and friendly, from the looks of it. At least, they haven't attacked us yet. Since we appear to be traipsing through their territory, I suggest we give them our due respect."
In a friendly tone, she calls out to the creatures "We mean you no harm...we're merely traveling through, with your permission, may we proceed?"
Jek sees Lady Kaede about to speak to the creatures. He starts say "I don't know if... Oh hang on, another message coming through." and turns around mid thought.
He turns back and continues (after Lady Kaede already called out to them). "Just Adam, trying to reach Gandalf. The world has changed, plants making zombies, strange crap wondering around, yada yada. Apparently his heart is breaking, but I'm pretty sure he meant that figuratively. They are trying to save people and.... I'm not sure I got this right, but he's looking for a crystal ball juggler? That's weird. Anyways, we should probably leave those lizards alone. They don't bother us, we don't bother them. Right?"
As soon as Lady Kaede engages with the creatures, they begin disappearing, their bright red bodies fading out and going dark as they step back into the dark shadows of the underdark...
The first day of travel is uneventful, save for the occasional strange sighting. Traveling through the terrain of the underworld marks an adjustment from traveling above ground. Most of the surface is populated by the huge stalagmites, making their walk more like a trudge through a mountain range as they go up and down hills and find their trails through the karsts. The most exciting thing they encounter, sometime many hours after plunging into the underdark, is the howling-whistle of some sort of horn, though the distance is skewed by the acoustics of Subternia.
Soon, their bodies begin to tell them that night approaches for the above-ground world...
In between yawns, Lady Kaede manages to eek out "Anyone comfortable with setting up a hasty camp here for some much needed shuteye? Wo-Dan, your kind are blessed with having no need for sleep...would you mind watching over us as we rest?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
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Addressing Ro, in a firm yet calm voice Kaede responds "You are quite the pompous and threatening one, aren't you? Your arrogance is quite evident to all. First, you treat all of us as if we're mere playthings in the way of your ulterior agenda and motives. Then, you threaten to kill Rum, when he's shown you nothing but friendship and kindness. Cause and effect. Then, you stoop lower than the worms in this soil and call me and my kin 'strays'. Cause and effect."
Continuing, "Your attitude is not gaining you any allies here."
"And the next time you question my religion and dedication to my family and friends, will be the last time your tongue is allowed to wag in that antagonistic mouth of yours. Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love..."
She'll then turn away from addressing Ro, and continue on down the stairs, sticking close to Wo-Dan as they walk into the open cavern.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Ro listens intently as Kaede speaks. The illithid is unfazed by her words, listening to the samurai as a student would listen to a lecture. After Kaede finishes, Ro raises a finger and prepares to speak. But the samurai has already walked off and joined sides with Wo-Dan.
Sensing the tension in the air, Ro decides that it's best to keep his mouth shut for now and simply continue forward with the party's objective.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Jek just looks back and forth between Ro and Lady Kaede as they argue. Well, there is some tension now.
As he steps into this new, alien world, Jek's eyes go wide with wonder. He has never seen anything like this. He's never even read anything like this. This is something new, and scary, and wonderful!
As they get to the bottom of the steps, Jek will pull out the map and his Orb of Direction, as he motions for the others to get closer. He says the command word, and a little glowing light points to the north inside the orb. He'll point at the map. "This is where we are now. The Shard should be in the Garthim Cavern east of here. We need to go south east to get to the gateway to get there. We also have to investigate the enemy's troop movements. And.... What else was on the list to do? Anyways, I think the right move is to go to Garthim Cavern and get the Crystal Shard first. Thoughts?"
Ro chimes in, "My apologies, I understand that we're here to retrieve the shard. And apparently one named Gmork is after us. So that I may best assist the group, could someone explain to me our exact objectives and what it is we are up against?"
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum stands beside the others for a little longer before turning to Ro.
"The mission of the Ardent Remnants is to retrieve the Shard, find out if we can get to the Palace of the Crystal from within the Garthim Cavern which is underneath it, and try and get a handle on what is happening down here. We need to see if there are Imperials or anything else massing in these caverns", he says matter of factly.
"What is pitted against the Ardent Remnants, and Jek can tell you more on the first, is a creature of darkness that serves the Nothing called the Gmork. Along with that Subternia is likely populated with all sorts of dangerous creatures, plants and fungi. We are likely to find a lot of Arathim at the least, which are similar to Gohma in many ways, except when they die they are re-animated as flesh golems called Garthim. You then have to deal with them as well", he adds, looking the former False Knight in the eye and holding his gaze.
"Whether you are a member of the Ardent Remnants or not Ro, you seem set on accompanying us. With all I have said in mind, what we don't need is infighting and tension. I would like to tell everyone that now is the time to leave if they are not of singular mind, not committed to the mission, but that ship has sailed. So for the Great Dragon's sake let's cut the bickering and get to work", he says looking to each of his companions with a determined nod of encouragement.
That being said, he moves closer to Jek as he uses his orb and checks the map.
"I agree friend Jek, the Garthim cavern and retrieving the shard is priority. I think it best I scout ahead a ways, not too far, just enough to find danger before it finds us. As a group we are going to stand out down here for sure".
Ro listens to Rum intently. The illithid pauses a moment, ready to say something but decides against it. After a pause, the illithid finally responds, "Aye, the only way we'll be retrieving this shard and getting out alive is by working together."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Jek nods to Rum. "If you are going to scout ahead, I have something that can help."
He pats Rum on the shoulder and says "Scleth Epfle". As he does, Rums shadow pulls up and starts wrapping around him, completely enveloping him. As it does, the light starts going through him, making Rum completely disappear from sight. (Invisibility) "This will last for one hour. Or until I get distracted and stop concentrating. Stay safe!"
Rum accepts the aid previously offered by Ro, feeling his already extraordinary capabilities heightened further. And then Jek pats him on the shoulder, and he looks down at his paws and body in amazement as he can now see right through them.
"My gratitude to you both, Ro and friend Jek", he says. "If I encounter difficulty and need aid, I will blow upon my horn. It will be heard only by you friend Jek, so listen out and note the direction".
With that he moves out onto one of the game trail like paths through the wilderness towards the Garthim Cavern, moving as silently as possible and disturbing as little as possible. He reaches out with his senses of sight, hearing and smell for any sign of danger as he moves ahead of the other Ardent Remnants.
Special: Enhance Ability (Cat's Grace - Dex), Invisibility - 1 hour
Stealth (Advantage): (19,
1)+9=28Perception: 6+11=17 (Passive: 21)
A glance at the ceiling, or sky, however one decides to see it, reveals that things aren't so different underground from the above-world. There are stars glimmering overhead...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Watching his steps downwards Wo-Dan still continues to look around for danger, at first glancing above he dismisses the lights as nothing important but his second glance causes him to slow a bit for a closer look.
"What.... stars? Here? Never would I have...."
Perception to judge distance and possible origin of the lights. -21
Jek looks up at the twinkling lights on the ceiling of the cavern while waiting on Rum to return. He says to the group, while watching the stars above "The Bright Lady's light even finds its ways to the darkest caverns beneath Hyboria. No matter what darkness the nothing brings with it, light will cut through it an lead us to victory."
Lady Kaede straightens her armor, making her look prim and proper, before calling out to the rest of the group, "Well then, no time to dilly-dally. Shall we move on, or wait here for the scout to return?"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Jek looks to Lady Kaede, then out into the darkness. "I don't know, we should have probably figured out what to do before... Oh hang on, getting a message." Jek steps away and holds the AURYN in his hand and closes his eyes.
Jek stands there for a few moments, then comes back. "Okay, completely forgot that Rum has one of these, too. Anyways, he's spotted a few suspicious creatures, but they are mostly concerned about not being seen. He said there was a creature like in the Deku Tree? It can snare you and pull you high up. And a lizard. We should follow the path he took, and he'll keep an eye from the high ground. Well, what are we all standing around for. Chop chop! Lets goooooooo!!!!!" With that, Jek will start heading down the game trail that Rum went down.
"Wait don't just....."
Wo-Dan reaches to stop Jek from bolting down the trail but was too distracted looking to the sky to catch him in time. Giving a heaving sigh with a rattle of bones he starts after the little Lightless.
"Come along then, best we stick together with dangerous creatures about."
The band begins to see the creatures of the underworld the further they get away from the stairs. There are all manner of things living down here in the dark. Sickly white looking trees. Giant mushrooms. Smaller mushrooms with reaching tentacles. There are stalagmites everywhere, some that are tiny, and some that are absolutely enormous, having been formed over the course of eons. The strange jellyfish things continue to make their pulsing way across the black sky above.
It's hours before the rest of the band sees the first of the red lizard-like creatures that seem to be following their every movement. They watch from the shadows, but don't seem interested in approaching the band. None of them look hostile.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
As the group walks past all the fascinating sights, sounds, smells, and creatures, Kaede pays special notice to the red lizard creatures. She’s wondering whether or not they’re sentient, intelligent creatures or merely animals who call the underdark their home.
Insight: 8
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Kaede whispers to the group to halt their progress, and then turns and nods in the direction of the red lizard creatures. "Those creatures appear to be sentient, and friendly, from the looks of it. At least, they haven't attacked us yet. Since we appear to be traipsing through their territory, I suggest we give them our due respect."
In a friendly tone, she calls out to the creatures "We mean you no harm...we're merely traveling through, with your permission, may we proceed?"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Jek sees Lady Kaede about to speak to the creatures. He starts say "I don't know if... Oh hang on, another message coming through." and turns around mid thought.
He turns back and continues (after Lady Kaede already called out to them). "Just Adam, trying to reach Gandalf. The world has changed, plants making zombies, strange crap wondering around, yada yada. Apparently his heart is breaking, but I'm pretty sure he meant that figuratively. They are trying to save people and.... I'm not sure I got this right, but he's looking for a crystal ball juggler? That's weird. Anyways, we should probably leave those lizards alone. They don't bother us, we don't bother them. Right?"
As soon as Lady Kaede engages with the creatures, they begin disappearing, their bright red bodies fading out and going dark as they step back into the dark shadows of the underdark...
The first day of travel is uneventful, save for the occasional strange sighting. Traveling through the terrain of the underworld marks an adjustment from traveling above ground. Most of the surface is populated by the huge stalagmites, making their walk more like a trudge through a mountain range as they go up and down hills and find their trails through the karsts. The most exciting thing they encounter, sometime many hours after plunging into the underdark, is the howling-whistle of some sort of horn, though the distance is skewed by the acoustics of Subternia.
Soon, their bodies begin to tell them that night approaches for the above-ground world...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
In between yawns, Lady Kaede manages to eek out "Anyone comfortable with setting up a hasty camp here for some much needed shuteye? Wo-Dan, your kind are blessed with having no need for sleep...would you mind watching over us as we rest?"
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?