"I am wondering how the one crawler larva was entering that tunnel if it cannot be climbing. How was it crossing the chasm from the spire?" Joren muses quietly as the group prepares for rest.
If Malachibrings up the silver dust, he will also ask whether the group thought it might be residue from Tensmith mines further along.
He volunteers to take first watch, keeping his echo summoned at all times.
"I'll join you Joren," Vilus pipes up, as he turns back to the group from peering down the tunnel, "nothing out this way right now, I-l will need rest later but, sleep seems to be a luxury that I no longer have access to.." he trails off, as he looks to see what the others are peering at in the water.
“It should be safe to rest here for a while. I don’t sense anything thinking nearby.”Malachi stares off in the pool “But it does look like there is something shiny in the bottom of the pool. Flecks of silver dust maybe? Might be worth checking out later, but now I am too tired.” Malachi spreads his cloak on the damp ground to the right of the pool. He volunteers to take the second watch, after Joren, and fades to sleep soon after.
"I am wondering if the silver dust is residue originating from Tensmith's mines? It could mean we are getting close. Are they mining silver in Tensmith?"
Joren keeps watch with Vilus. Also attempting to take a short rest during his watch, for at least a little benefit in case the longer rest is interrupted.
Ashley yawns loudly as they all start settling in, grateful that the decision is to take a rest. Not caring about what is in the pond, she curls up against the wall, mutters, "Wake me when you need me, not a moment before..." and is asleep in an instant.
(Sorry for the delay, was a on a little trip, but I'm back!)
Samir wordlessly follows Ashley's lead, curling up near the wall. He will gladly wake for the last watch, however, for now exhaustion has taken its toll.
With only two points of access, keeping watch is simple enough. And so the night (or at least what you believe to be night) passes by. In the stillness of rest, the silence of the underground is profound. No sound of animals or insects chirping. No murmur of chatter from a nearby tavern or cart wheels rattling by on a cobblestone street. This far underground, there isn't even a light breeze, whistling through branches and rustling long grass. Any source of familiar sound is sealed away behind tons of hard-packed dirt and stone.
But then every once in a while, the stygian calm is pierced by the singular sound of a drop of water seeping through the ceiling to fall in the pool at the center of the chamber.
Those who are awake are mostly left to their thoughts. Will they manage to make their way back to the path leading to Talmouth? How long have they been down here? What are the cultists planning? Does the strange colony in the previous chamber tie into their plans for Cambria? And what can be done to stop them?
Gradually, the shift rotates through the group until Samir and Ashley are up, taking the final shift.
(Everyone roll me an intelligence or perception check.)
Joren and Marion both are used to waking up with the sun, and though they may have lost track of the hours, their bodies have not, and they both begin to rouse just as Ashley is starting to nod off. Meanwhile, Malachi is woken by a tickle in his mind. A tickle that tells him other things are waking up nearby as well. What's more, all three notice a slight increase in temperature.
Vilus, not having slept all night, notes the others beginning to rouse, and hears the sound of scuffling and scraping against stone. But something about it sends a shiver down his spine. He catches just the slightest hint of movement, and notes something by the hole they came in through, not too far from Ashley. With a horrible start, he realizes there is a spindly, segmented, glass-like leg reaching through the opening, feeling around curiously as it scrapes against the stone. And it is just a foot away from Ashley's leg.
As she falls back asleep at the end of her watch, those around her can feel her getting warmer... beyond her typical radiation, adding to the warmth in the cavern. Not knowing there is a glass-like leg reaching towards her, she wakes with a start, reaching for anyone near her to settler her, seeing Samir. "Those things! Those glass like insects, they're horrible and, and I felt my heartbeat all around me... we need to get out of this place."she doesn't whisper this, not knowing the predicament they are in and then relaxes a bit, letting Samir go. Trying to regain her composure.
Stifling his own yawns, Samir sits with Ashley for a moment, his glasses in hand for a moment. He can feel the warmth of the genasi's hand in his own for a brief time, a pleasant sensation. He gives her a wordless pat on the hand in agreement with her words before she withdraws her touch, and he moves to resettle his glasses in place.
Vilus gets up and wordlessly tries to coax Ashley toward him, making a 'shush' motion with a finger to his lips. If needed he will help her to her feet and move her away from the glass like leg reaching in.
Once everyone is awake and perked up enough to hold their attention on Vilus he will silently warn the others with a mix of rapid arm movements and vigorous pointing. getting all of the group if possible to go with him down the exiting tunnel to reconvene and talk.
Joren aids Vilus in the quiet removal of Ashley and Samir from the lethal threat if he can, trying to lead them away from the horrible multi-legged glass creature as silently as possible. Making pleading eye contact to come with, finger to his own mouth.
As soon as there is any distance between the insectile leg and the party, he summons and positions his echo between, as rear guard.
Ashley looks at Vilus and Joren confused, unsure of what they were trying to convey. But she stops talking, shrugs her shoulders and gets up, heading their direction giving them both of them questioning looks.
Vilus and Tybard feel the panic and urgency of the situation when Ashley starts starts talking, for the leg reaching in her direction freezes and quivers for a moment. Ashley gets up and quietly takes a step away from the hole at their beckoning, a split second before the leg spears the stone where she'd been standing. She hears the clink and turns.
Everyone now can see that another two legs reach through the opening, finding purchase as if trying to pull the insect through, but the gap is clearly too narrow for it to fit. Ashley and Samir are able to make it out to the far passage with the rest of the group while Joren's echo stands on guard. The legs feel around for another few seconds before withdrawing in the blink of an eye. Through the hole, everyone sees a blur of motion as the insect's body passes by, headed upwards at great speed, and then it is gone. The whole motion was so quick, unnatural, and unnervingly quiet that some of the party feel their skin crawl and hairs raise.
"we leave now!" Vilus whispers as he checks down the exit passage again (perception 11) he tries to keep low as he goes, checking over the ceilings and keeping an eye out for connecting passages.
"I am wondering how the one crawler larva was entering that tunnel if it cannot be climbing. How was it crossing the chasm from the spire?" Joren muses quietly as the group prepares for rest.
If Malachi brings up the silver dust, he will also ask whether the group thought it might be residue from Tensmith mines further along.
He volunteers to take first watch, keeping his echo summoned at all times.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
"I'll join you Joren," Vilus pipes up, as he turns back to the group from peering down the tunnel, "nothing out this way right now, I-l will need rest later but, sleep seems to be a luxury that I no longer have access to.." he trails off, as he looks to see what the others are peering at in the water.
“It should be safe to rest here for a while. I don’t sense anything thinking nearby.” Malachi stares off in the pool “But it does look like there is something shiny in the bottom of the pool. Flecks of silver dust maybe? Might be worth checking out later, but now I am too tired.” Malachi spreads his cloak on the damp ground to the right of the pool. He volunteers to take the second watch, after Joren, and fades to sleep soon after.
"I am wondering if the silver dust is residue originating from Tensmith's mines? It could mean we are getting close. Are they mining silver in Tensmith?"
Joren keeps watch with Vilus. Also attempting to take a short rest during his watch, for at least a little benefit in case the longer rest is interrupted.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Ashley yawns loudly as they all start settling in, grateful that the decision is to take a rest. Not caring about what is in the pond, she curls up against the wall, mutters, "Wake me when you need me, not a moment before..." and is asleep in an instant.
(Sorry for the delay, was a on a little trip, but I'm back!)
Samir wordlessly follows Ashley's lead, curling up near the wall. He will gladly wake for the last watch, however, for now exhaustion has taken its toll.
With only two points of access, keeping watch is simple enough. And so the night (or at least what you believe to be night) passes by. In the stillness of rest, the silence of the underground is profound. No sound of animals or insects chirping. No murmur of chatter from a nearby tavern or cart wheels rattling by on a cobblestone street. This far underground, there isn't even a light breeze, whistling through branches and rustling long grass. Any source of familiar sound is sealed away behind tons of hard-packed dirt and stone.
But then every once in a while, the stygian calm is pierced by the singular sound of a drop of water seeping through the ceiling to fall in the pool at the center of the chamber.
Those who are awake are mostly left to their thoughts. Will they manage to make their way back to the path leading to Talmouth? How long have they been down here? What are the cultists planning? Does the strange colony in the previous chamber tie into their plans for Cambria? And what can be done to stop them?
Gradually, the shift rotates through the group until Samir and Ashley are up, taking the final shift.
(Everyone roll me an intelligence or perception check.)
Joren Perception: 19 ((campaign log))
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Ashley perception 3
Vilus perception (game log) 19
Malachi perception 19.
Joren and Marion both are used to waking up with the sun, and though they may have lost track of the hours, their bodies have not, and they both begin to rouse just as Ashley is starting to nod off. Meanwhile, Malachi is woken by a tickle in his mind. A tickle that tells him other things are waking up nearby as well. What's more, all three notice a slight increase in temperature.
Vilus, not having slept all night, notes the others beginning to rouse, and hears the sound of scuffling and scraping against stone. But something about it sends a shiver down his spine. He catches just the slightest hint of movement, and notes something by the hole they came in through, not too far from Ashley. With a horrible start, he realizes there is a spindly, segmented, glass-like leg reaching through the opening, feeling around curiously as it scrapes against the stone. And it is just a foot away from Ashley's leg.
As she falls back asleep at the end of her watch, those around her can feel her getting warmer... beyond her typical radiation, adding to the warmth in the cavern. Not knowing there is a glass-like leg reaching towards her, she wakes with a start, reaching for anyone near her to settler her, seeing Samir. "Those things! Those glass like insects, they're horrible and, and I felt my heartbeat all around me... we need to get out of this place." she doesn't whisper this, not knowing the predicament they are in and then relaxes a bit, letting Samir go. Trying to regain her composure.
Samir Intelligence: 12
Stifling his own yawns, Samir sits with Ashley for a moment, his glasses in hand for a moment. He can feel the warmth of the genasi's hand in his own for a brief time, a pleasant sensation. He gives her a wordless pat on the hand in agreement with her words before she withdraws her touch, and he moves to resettle his glasses in place.
Vilus gets up and wordlessly tries to coax Ashley toward him, making a 'shush' motion with a finger to his lips. If needed he will help her to her feet and move her away from the glass like leg reaching in.
Once everyone is awake and perked up enough to hold their attention on Vilus he will silently warn the others with a mix of rapid arm movements and vigorous pointing. getting all of the group if possible to go with him down the exiting tunnel to reconvene and talk.
Joren aids Vilus in the quiet removal of Ashley and Samir from the lethal threat if he can, trying to lead them away from the horrible multi-legged glass creature as silently as possible. Making pleading eye contact to come with, finger to his own mouth.
As soon as there is any distance between the insectile leg and the party, he summons and positions his echo between, as rear guard.
Barn(Paladin1): Damian_May's Ereworn Under the Shadow | Lyra(Warlock2/Bard4): VitusW's Silverwood Forest | Nivi(Rogue5): Erik_Soong's Netherdeep
Joren(Fighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Quyen(Adept1, ba5ic): ConstancePhokas' Nentir Vale (Discord) | Seri(Druid1): Hunter_Orien's Saltmarsh
Xarian(Fighter3): Luna_Dust's Marks on the Map | Ophelia(Sorcerer2): BillM's Icewind Dale | Shin(Wizard1): Culuril's Strixhaven
Ashley looks at Vilus and Joren confused, unsure of what they were trying to convey. But she stops talking, shrugs her shoulders and gets up, heading their direction giving them both of them questioning looks.
Samir follows suit, trying to move carefully after Ashley, visibly confused.
Vilus and Tybard feel the panic and urgency of the situation when Ashley starts starts talking, for the leg reaching in her direction freezes and quivers for a moment. Ashley gets up and quietly takes a step away from the hole at their beckoning, a split second before the leg spears the stone where she'd been standing. She hears the clink and turns.
Everyone now can see that another two legs reach through the opening, finding purchase as if trying to pull the insect through, but the gap is clearly too narrow for it to fit. Ashley and Samir are able to make it out to the far passage with the rest of the group while Joren's echo stands on guard. The legs feel around for another few seconds before withdrawing in the blink of an eye. Through the hole, everyone sees a blur of motion as the insect's body passes by, headed upwards at great speed, and then it is gone. The whole motion was so quick, unnatural, and unnervingly quiet that some of the party feel their skin crawl and hairs raise.
"we leave now!" Vilus whispers as he checks down the exit passage again (perception 11) he tries to keep low as he goes, checking over the ceilings and keeping an eye out for connecting passages.