Quietly stepping forward and making her presence known, Amitola, who has been silently following, nods in agreement to Lady Kaede. "I do agree. You, as well as the others, are most likely exhausted and I'm sure desire rest. We can get more accomplished with a well rested mind and body. I will say however, I do not believe Wo-Dan should watch over the group alone. I do not care to hold watch as well, to help ensure the safety of the group and if something was to attack, that Wo-Dan has back up."
Shortly after the attempted communication with the red lizard folk, just as the group are passing one of the larger stalagmites, Rum drops down from his elevated position and rejoins the Remnants. He feeds back what they likely already know, that Subternia is vast and not too dissimilar to the surface world in terms of the likelihood of threats. Although the types of threat are very different.
"Yes, setting up camp seems like a good idea, as does having multiple on watch. I am happy to take a turn, fellow Remnants.Perhaps those whose vision is less impaired by the dark could pair with those who require more light", he suggests.
"And then maybe when we wake, we can look into acquiring mounts. I fear on foot our journey will take too long. I did see a beast that resembles a sort of large cow. Maybe that, or something else, can be tamed and ridden. If not, we have to walk until we find a sizeable settlement".
After Jek shares the AURYN's message, Ro pauses a bit before responding, "Hmm. I may be wrong, but those plants sound like Corpse Flowers. They're native to the Abberant Realm and should be treated with caution. Their diet consists of whatever poor humanoid crosses their path. If the plant releases a dead body from its clutches, the body reanimates."
The illithid pauses once more, "Crystal ball juggler, you say? It's possible the one Adam seeks is Jareth the Goblin King."
As the group stops to make camp for the day and members start planning watches Ro chimes in, "My illithid transformation allows me to see farther than most in the dark. I do not mind taking a shift in the night watch if needed."
Wo-Dan responds to Lady Kaede and the comments of the others.
"I can of course keep watch through the night for all of us, but the extra eyes and company would be most welcome."
To Rum,
"I agree, mounts are a necessity if we wish to make good time. Did you see any indication of nearby homes? Any place where we might be able to procure animals?"
“Unfortunately not, Remnant Wo-Dan. This land is vast and there has been no sign at all of any habitation so far. I have not seen any of the red lizard folk using mounts either”, Rum replies.
The band is undisturbed as they sleep, though every watcher sees the red lizard-newt things probing the edges of the darkness around the camp. They never try to attack, however.
Late in the 'night' a peculiar sound fills the air. It's distant, and not even by just a few miles; it sounds very, very far away. A sound like music, like flutes and strange wind instruments being played in unison by many musicians...
As he did every day, Rum woke early to meditate and exercise, finding comfort in the routine even in these unfamiliar surroundings.
As they come together for breakfast, he wonders at the strange musical sounds of the night before.
"Fellow Remnants, did any of you hear the distant sound of music? Could it be signs of civilisation do you think?", he asks the others, as he helps to prepare breakfast.
"Civilization, or perhaps the lizard-folk that watched us throughout the night." Wo-Dan replies.
"Perhaps we might be able to communicate with them if we are able to get close enough. What do you think Rum? Jek, do you have any ideas? Or anyone else?" He scratches the growing stubble on his chin. "If these are natives of this place we might be able to convince them to aid us in our travels through the territory."
"Perhaps, Remnant Wo-Dan", Rum replies to Wo-Dan, "Although the music did seem very far away".
"Communicating with the lizard-folk would be ideal, but they are very flighty. Perhaps if we leave some kind of offering for them to find? Show we are friendly. Some food perhaps, or a trinket".
He turns to Ro, "You used to carve wood, did that also change with your transformation?", he asks as he places a paw on the dragon bangle.
"Oh, Friend Jek, I forgot to ask", he says suddenly addressing Jek. "I tried to use the Auryn to reply to Adam yesterday, but I do not think it worked. Does yours still function?".
"With the appearance of the red lizards and the night music, civilization seems highly probable. Depending on their level of sophistication, perhaps we could barter for mounts,"Ro says as he pulls up one of his sleeves. The illithid takes a moment to trace a finger along several scars on his forearm. The scars glow in response to his touch. Some fresher wounds reopen at the illithid's touch, revealing the fleshy red underneath the skin. "Yes, Rum. I still carve. Wood, that is."
Ro takes a cloth out of his bag to wipe his hand clean before offering to assist with breakfast preparations, "If the lizards know language, I know both Undercommon and Deep Speech. Should both of those prove fruitless, I can always communicate directly into their minds. So long as they understand a language and I remain within a certain distance of them, we could communicate to them that way."
Lady Kaede stretches and yaws herself awake, and proceeds to meticulously clean her armor and daisho before she is willing to make an appearance around the breakfast cooking fire (she is inwardly appalled others' disregard for personal cleanliness). After warming herself with a cup of tea, she raises it in toast to the group: "Patience, my friends. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Continuing, "In due time, those lizards will be willing to talk. For now, I suggest we proceed further, in hopes of finding the source of that music we heard last night. I whole heartedly agree with your suggestion, Rum-san, in leaving them an offering of friendship and goodwill, which will communicate our intentions regardless of any common language."
Jek wakes from a surprisingly restful sleep. He gets up and looks to the sky, praying the Bright Lady to guide there day. He saunters over to the group around the campfire just as Ro starts to.... demonstrate his carving. Jek shivers at the sight of it. Maybe the Bright Lady might aid him in helping Ro.
He snaps back into focus as Rum says his name. "Huh, what, oh the AURYN, oh let me check." He will pull out the AURYN and look towards it for a moment. "Okay, lets see if that works. now, what are we talking about? Music and lizards and mounts? I don't the lizard people would want us to use them as mounts. Maybe we should use something else? But I agree about the Music. It might be a good idea to find who's playing it. If the AURYN's work, we could ask Greco what a good gift for a lizard might be. He'd probably know."
"I disagree with moving slowly,"Ro says plainly to Kaede as he continues breakfast prepping. The illithid takes a moment to mull over his words before talking again. From his perspective, the samurai had a volatile personality so the illithid tried to choose his words carefully, "Though I agree caution is better than blindly pushing forward, I believe the good forces of Hyboria would prefer to have the shard sooner than later. Time is something we don't have, and it is an unforgiving foe should we underestimate it. The Twilight Embers have been 'too late' too many times. I suggest we make haste when it isn't foolish to do so."
Ro puts down the kitchenware he was working with and pulls out a set of woodworking tools along with a small block of wood from his bag of holding. "If we intend to leave a token of goodwill for the lizards, my services are readily available should the group have any ideas."
"I am not certain Greko has an Auryn, friend Jek. The one he originally held was passed to me", Rum replies as Jek suggests asking Greko for an idea about a gift.
"Perhaps just a carving in the likeness of the lizards, if you have time Ro? And if there is not time for now, perhaps an offering of food this morning and the carving tomorrow or the next day, fellow Remnants?".
As Lady Kaede and Ro disagree about the speed of travel, he interjects.
"We must travel within our means. These are unfamiliar lands, and we must stick to a pace that keeps us safe, whilst we acknowledge that our mission does have a certain amount of urgency", he says diplomatically.
"Might I make a suggestion, Ro? In the past you have used your bird to scout, might you do that for us today?".
Ro snaps his fingers. A small hummingbird appears from thin air, its rainbow-colored feathers as vibrant as ever despite the darkness of the underground. Prim, the hummingbird, flies several times around the illithid before noticing Rum. She lets out several chirps of glee as she flies several happy circles around an old friend. Afterwards, she flies to take a look at each of the other members of the Ardent Remnants.
"These are the Ardent Remnants," Ro explains to his familiar, "There are some familiar faces, like Rum and Kaede. As well as some new ones. Your job today is to be our eyes in the sky. Alert me telepathically should you see anything suspicious or of interest."
Receiving her orders, Prim gives a chirp of approval and soars up to the 'sky' of the underdark. Shortly after, Ro takes Rum's suggestion and proceeds to cut into his block of wood. The illithid begins the process of carving a statuette in the lizard's likeness.
Lady Kaede’s face turns bright red, even through her white makeup, for once again she has been misunderstood. She inwardly chastises herself before meekly adding “I apologize Ro-san, for I have wronged you. I regret that I my intentions have been misinterpreted. I did not intend to imply we should go slowly. Rather the opposite. I propose that we not waste our time here, when the proverbial clock is ticking, in trying to communicate with the lizard-beings spying on us. Leave them a token of our goodwill, and let’s move on with haste, towards our mission here. Always moving forward towards completing our mission. The lizards will communicate with us in due time, or they will attack us if that is their desire. Either way, they are but superfluous aspects that may sidetrack us from our mission.”
Ro's hands stop working on his carving as he listens to Lady Kaede apologize. Given her sharp words yesterday, the samurai's meekness was far from what Ro was expecting. He placed his carving tool and wood block into a single hand so that his free hand could come up to rub the back of his head. The illithid takes a breath and sighs, a small exercise done to help him make a mental switch.
Ro looks at Lady Kaede, "There's no need for apology, Kaede; though I do appreciate the clarification. And if that is the point you are making then I agree wholeheartedly."
Rum stares into the distance for a few moments, after which he turns to the other Remnants.
"It seems the Tarrasque has been felled, fellow Remnants", he reports. "I have enquired after the apex predator, and whether it is a threat, but have not heard back. Also, I cannot reach Adam, I think the interference is with them. Whatever is happening in Eternia might be blocking the signal. Or maybe they have reached the Labyrinth and that is blocking it".
Ro snaps his fingers. A small hummingbird appears from thin air, its rainbow-colored feathers as vibrant as ever despite the darkness of the underground. Prim, the hummingbird, flies several times around the illithid before noticing Rum. She lets out several chirps of glee as she flies several happy circles around an old friend. Afterwards, she flies to take a look at each of the other members of the Ardent Remnants.
"These are the Ardent Remnants," Ro explains to his familiar, "There are some familiar faces, like Rum and Kaede. As well as some new ones. Your job today is to be our eyes in the sky. Alert me telepathically should you see anything suspicious or of interest."
Receiving her orders, Prim gives a chirp of approval and soars up to the 'sky' of the underdark. Shortly after, Ro takes Rum's suggestion and proceeds to cut into his block of wood. The illithid begins the process of carving a statuette in the lizard's likeness.
Jek looks amazed at the little humming bird. As it comes up to him, he coos to it softly. "Oh, hi there little one. Aren't you just amazing!" As Ro gives it orders and it flies into the distance, Jek looks over to Darla.... How nice it would be if all birds were that compliant.
He's happy to see Lady Kaede and Ro making peace. He smiles a little at the exchange. The Bright Lady's light does shine in dark places. At that moment, Jek grabs onto his AURYN hanging about his neck. After rum speaks, he will say "I heard the message, too. It sounded like Stasolya. I sent out a general message earlier, but I don't feel like it went through. Perhaps it's us. Maybe down here, we can receive but not send messages? This is curious. I heard your message yesterday, though. Hmmm, what has changed?"
As the others start to get ready and Ro carves away at the wood, Jek will practice pulling the natural shadows about himself once more. He thinks he's starting to figure it out.
"I am not so sure, friend Jek. I got the feeling my message about the apex predator was recevied, it was just the message to Adam that was not. That is the second time a message to Adam has failed, and his message contained some...fuzziness". Rum clarifies.
"I also have another thought regarding the gift. Perhaps you could carve a greeting in a number of languages, Ro. You mentioned you speak some, there are other languages amongst the group. We could perhaps carve the word friend in as many as we know", he suggests.
"But perhaps that is for next camp, foir now shall we break camp and get moving, fellow Remnants?", he says making himself ready to travel.
He will travel closer to the group today, like he did towards the end of the previous day, maybe scouting ahead once in a while or disappearing off to the side or up a stalagmite to survey their surroundings and anything taking an interest in them.
Stealth: 19+9=28 (for the days stealth missions - unless you need more) Perception: 9+11=20 (Passive: 21)
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Quietly stepping forward and making her presence known, Amitola, who has been silently following, nods in agreement to Lady Kaede. "I do agree. You, as well as the others, are most likely exhausted and I'm sure desire rest. We can get more accomplished with a well rested mind and body. I will say however, I do not believe Wo-Dan should watch over the group alone. I do not care to hold watch as well, to help ensure the safety of the group and if something was to attack, that Wo-Dan has back up."
Shortly after the attempted communication with the red lizard folk, just as the group are passing one of the larger stalagmites, Rum drops down from his elevated position and rejoins the Remnants. He feeds back what they likely already know, that Subternia is vast and not too dissimilar to the surface world in terms of the likelihood of threats. Although the types of threat are very different.
"Yes, setting up camp seems like a good idea, as does having multiple on watch. I am happy to take a turn, fellow Remnants.Perhaps those whose vision is less impaired by the dark could pair with those who require more light", he suggests.
"And then maybe when we wake, we can look into acquiring mounts. I fear on foot our journey will take too long. I did see a beast that resembles a sort of large cow. Maybe that, or something else, can be tamed and ridden. If not, we have to walk until we find a sizeable settlement".
After Jek shares the AURYN's message, Ro pauses a bit before responding, "Hmm. I may be wrong, but those plants sound like Corpse Flowers. They're native to the Abberant Realm and should be treated with caution. Their diet consists of whatever poor humanoid crosses their path. If the plant releases a dead body from its clutches, the body reanimates."
The illithid pauses once more, "Crystal ball juggler, you say? It's possible the one Adam seeks is Jareth the Goblin King."
As the group stops to make camp for the day and members start planning watches Ro chimes in, "My illithid transformation allows me to see farther than most in the dark. I do not mind taking a shift in the night watch if needed."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Wo-Dan responds to Lady Kaede and the comments of the others.
"I can of course keep watch through the night for all of us, but the extra eyes and company would be most welcome."
To Rum,
"I agree, mounts are a necessity if we wish to make good time. Did you see any indication of nearby homes? Any place where we might be able to procure animals?"
“Unfortunately not, Remnant Wo-Dan. This land is vast and there has been no sign at all of any habitation so far. I have not seen any of the red lizard folk using mounts either”, Rum replies.
The band is undisturbed as they sleep, though every watcher sees the red lizard-newt things probing the edges of the darkness around the camp. They never try to attack, however.
Late in the 'night' a peculiar sound fills the air. It's distant, and not even by just a few miles; it sounds very, very far away. A sound like music, like flutes and strange wind instruments being played in unison by many musicians...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
As he did every day, Rum woke early to meditate and exercise, finding comfort in the routine even in these unfamiliar surroundings.
As they come together for breakfast, he wonders at the strange musical sounds of the night before.
"Fellow Remnants, did any of you hear the distant sound of music? Could it be signs of civilisation do you think?", he asks the others, as he helps to prepare breakfast.
"Civilization, or perhaps the lizard-folk that watched us throughout the night." Wo-Dan replies.
"Perhaps we might be able to communicate with them if we are able to get close enough. What do you think Rum? Jek, do you have any ideas? Or anyone else?" He scratches the growing stubble on his chin. "If these are natives of this place we might be able to convince them to aid us in our travels through the territory."
"Perhaps, Remnant Wo-Dan", Rum replies to Wo-Dan, "Although the music did seem very far away".
"Communicating with the lizard-folk would be ideal, but they are very flighty. Perhaps if we leave some kind of offering for them to find? Show we are friendly. Some food perhaps, or a trinket".
He turns to Ro, "You used to carve wood, did that also change with your transformation?", he asks as he places a paw on the dragon bangle.
"Oh, Friend Jek, I forgot to ask", he says suddenly addressing Jek. "I tried to use the Auryn to reply to Adam yesterday, but I do not think it worked. Does yours still function?".
"With the appearance of the red lizards and the night music, civilization seems highly probable. Depending on their level of sophistication, perhaps we could barter for mounts," Ro says as he pulls up one of his sleeves. The illithid takes a moment to trace a finger along several scars on his forearm. The scars glow in response to his touch. Some fresher wounds reopen at the illithid's touch, revealing the fleshy red underneath the skin. "Yes, Rum. I still carve. Wood, that is."
Ro takes a cloth out of his bag to wipe his hand clean before offering to assist with breakfast preparations, "If the lizards know language, I know both Undercommon and Deep Speech. Should both of those prove fruitless, I can always communicate directly into their minds. So long as they understand a language and I remain within a certain distance of them, we could communicate to them that way."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Lady Kaede stretches and yaws herself awake, and proceeds to meticulously clean her armor and daisho before she is willing to make an appearance around the breakfast cooking fire (she is inwardly appalled others' disregard for personal cleanliness). After warming herself with a cup of tea, she raises it in toast to the group: "Patience, my friends. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Continuing, "In due time, those lizards will be willing to talk. For now, I suggest we proceed further, in hopes of finding the source of that music we heard last night. I whole heartedly agree with your suggestion, Rum-san, in leaving them an offering of friendship and goodwill, which will communicate our intentions regardless of any common language."
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Jek wakes from a surprisingly restful sleep. He gets up and looks to the sky, praying the Bright Lady to guide there day. He saunters over to the group around the campfire just as Ro starts to.... demonstrate his carving. Jek shivers at the sight of it. Maybe the Bright Lady might aid him in helping Ro.
He snaps back into focus as Rum says his name. "Huh, what, oh the AURYN, oh let me check." He will pull out the AURYN and look towards it for a moment. "Okay, lets see if that works. now, what are we talking about? Music and lizards and mounts? I don't the lizard people would want us to use them as mounts. Maybe we should use something else? But I agree about the Music. It might be a good idea to find who's playing it. If the AURYN's work, we could ask Greco what a good gift for a lizard might be. He'd probably know. "
"I disagree with moving slowly," Ro says plainly to Kaede as he continues breakfast prepping. The illithid takes a moment to mull over his words before talking again. From his perspective, the samurai had a volatile personality so the illithid tried to choose his words carefully, "Though I agree caution is better than blindly pushing forward, I believe the good forces of Hyboria would prefer to have the shard sooner than later. Time is something we don't have, and it is an unforgiving foe should we underestimate it. The Twilight Embers have been 'too late' too many times. I suggest we make haste when it isn't foolish to do so."
Ro puts down the kitchenware he was working with and pulls out a set of woodworking tools along with a small block of wood from his bag of holding. "If we intend to leave a token of goodwill for the lizards, my services are readily available should the group have any ideas."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
"I am not certain Greko has an Auryn, friend Jek. The one he originally held was passed to me", Rum replies as Jek suggests asking Greko for an idea about a gift.
"Perhaps just a carving in the likeness of the lizards, if you have time Ro? And if there is not time for now, perhaps an offering of food this morning and the carving tomorrow or the next day, fellow Remnants?".
As Lady Kaede and Ro disagree about the speed of travel, he interjects.
"We must travel within our means. These are unfamiliar lands, and we must stick to a pace that keeps us safe, whilst we acknowledge that our mission does have a certain amount of urgency", he says diplomatically.
"Might I make a suggestion, Ro? In the past you have used your bird to scout, might you do that for us today?".
Ro snaps his fingers. A small hummingbird appears from thin air, its rainbow-colored feathers as vibrant as ever despite the darkness of the underground. Prim, the hummingbird, flies several times around the illithid before noticing Rum. She lets out several chirps of glee as she flies several happy circles around an old friend. Afterwards, she flies to take a look at each of the other members of the Ardent Remnants.
"These are the Ardent Remnants," Ro explains to his familiar, "There are some familiar faces, like Rum and Kaede. As well as some new ones. Your job today is to be our eyes in the sky. Alert me telepathically should you see anything suspicious or of interest."
Receiving her orders, Prim gives a chirp of approval and soars up to the 'sky' of the underdark. Shortly after, Ro takes Rum's suggestion and proceeds to cut into his block of wood. The illithid begins the process of carving a statuette in the lizard's likeness.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Lady Kaede’s face turns bright red, even through her white makeup, for once again she has been misunderstood. She inwardly chastises herself before meekly adding “I apologize Ro-san, for I have wronged you. I regret that I my intentions have been misinterpreted. I did not intend to imply we should go slowly. Rather the opposite. I propose that we not waste our time here, when the proverbial clock is ticking, in trying to communicate with the lizard-beings spying on us. Leave them a token of our goodwill, and let’s move on with haste, towards our mission here. Always moving forward towards completing our mission. The lizards will communicate with us in due time, or they will attack us if that is their desire. Either way, they are but superfluous aspects that may sidetrack us from our mission.”
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
Ro's hands stop working on his carving as he listens to Lady Kaede apologize. Given her sharp words yesterday, the samurai's meekness was far from what Ro was expecting. He placed his carving tool and wood block into a single hand so that his free hand could come up to rub the back of his head. The illithid takes a breath and sighs, a small exercise done to help him make a mental switch.
Ro looks at Lady Kaede, "There's no need for apology, Kaede; though I do appreciate the clarification. And if that is the point you are making then I agree wholeheartedly."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum stares into the distance for a few moments, after which he turns to the other Remnants.
"It seems the Tarrasque has been felled, fellow Remnants", he reports. "I have enquired after the apex predator, and whether it is a threat, but have not heard back. Also, I cannot reach Adam, I think the interference is with them. Whatever is happening in Eternia might be blocking the signal. Or maybe they have reached the Labyrinth and that is blocking it".
Jek looks amazed at the little humming bird. As it comes up to him, he coos to it softly. "Oh, hi there little one. Aren't you just amazing!" As Ro gives it orders and it flies into the distance, Jek looks over to Darla.... How nice it would be if all birds were that compliant.
He's happy to see Lady Kaede and Ro making peace. He smiles a little at the exchange. The Bright Lady's light does shine in dark places. At that moment, Jek grabs onto his AURYN hanging about his neck. After rum speaks, he will say "I heard the message, too. It sounded like Stasolya. I sent out a general message earlier, but I don't feel like it went through. Perhaps it's us. Maybe down here, we can receive but not send messages? This is curious. I heard your message yesterday, though. Hmmm, what has changed?"
As the others start to get ready and Ro carves away at the wood, Jek will practice pulling the natural shadows about himself once more. He thinks he's starting to figure it out.
"I am not so sure, friend Jek. I got the feeling my message about the apex predator was recevied, it was just the message to Adam that was not. That is the second time a message to Adam has failed, and his message contained some...fuzziness". Rum clarifies.
"I also have another thought regarding the gift. Perhaps you could carve a greeting in a number of languages, Ro. You mentioned you speak some, there are other languages amongst the group. We could perhaps carve the word friend in as many as we know", he suggests.
"But perhaps that is for next camp, foir now shall we break camp and get moving, fellow Remnants?", he says making himself ready to travel.
He will travel closer to the group today, like he did towards the end of the previous day, maybe scouting ahead once in a while or disappearing off to the side or up a stalagmite to survey their surroundings and anything taking an interest in them.
Stealth: 19+9=28 (for the days stealth missions - unless you need more)
Perception: 9+11=20 (Passive: 21)