"Joren is right, this water is being held by the stone, but if we let it through it will surge. Can we tie off? Use some pitons on the side walls and rope? I have some rope as well, Joren did you want to join me? I know you don't have any." She points to a spot in the thinned out rock, "if we hit it here with the pickaxe, I think that would do it, but lets prepare."
She starts pulling her rope out of her pack to get started.
Malachi tastes the water. It has a fresh but very flat, mineral taste, clearly more akin to mountain run-off than seawater.
After a good 15 minutes, pitons are set up at intervals, with ropes between them, and everyone has a chance to secure themselves. All that remains now is the wall.
Joren nods as Ashley and the others describe their findings. Yes that is sounding right.
He ties off on the rope along with her, flashing what he hopes is a reassuring smile in her direction, then looks for who has the pick axe.
"Using the pick axe first, I can try. Unless someone else is wanting to do it? It may be creating smaller holes to ease the water pressure, letting smaller amounts through at first - cannot be sure. Otherwise we can be trying... Vilus'Shatter magic." (His stumble on the name is small but noticeable.)
"pick axe first, the shattering magic is less.. controllable. But I can help you here" Vilus states as he retrieves his crowbar from his pouch. Tying himself off to a piton in the wall, he begins hacking at a particularly wet patch, along with Joren and his pickaxe.
Trying to time his pick axe blows in alternation with Vilus' work with the crowbar, Joren attempts to open a small hole in the wet area of the rock face to let water through in a controlled fashion. Also being careful to avoid hitting his companions on his backswing.
Joren and Vilus work away at the wall, chipping off chunks of wet stone in the spot Ashley had indicated. After a few minutes, they notice a definite increase in the amount of water dripping down. Joren swings the pick again, and a thin jet of water starts spraying out from the rock face. Carefully, he lines up another swing. A chunk of stone comes away, and the high pressure spray grows larger. The air grows damp as droplets of water begin to form in hair and on clothes. Another swing loosens a large chunk of stone that gets blasted out of the way by the water pressure, but a crack also forms, running diagonally across the wall. More misty sprays erupt from the crack.
Joren and Vilus realize they need to be careful, but Joren feels confident that they can still widen the hole safely. With little taps, the two continue to chip away. After another minute, the hole is about 2 feet wide, with a torrent of water pouring out. It is pooling up around everyone's legs, up to their knees. A strong current pulls at them as the water flows down the passage away from them. Thankfully, footing isn't of too much concern, with everyone secured by rope. But Samir has enough understanding of the integral principles of the structural dynamics of flow to recognize that, based on the pressure of the water coming from the hole, there is only so much water above it being acted upon by gravity. In fact, left as is, he would estimate that the flow of water should abate in anywhere between 10 minutes and half an hour. So they wait. After a while, the pressure does indeed go down, as does the water level around their legs. With a nod from Samir, Joren and Vilus begin chipping away at the top of the hole again, making it wide enough to crawl through as well as speeding up the process of emptying out the last bit of water.
Finally, 40 minutes later, the flow of water is no more that a light trickle. Looking through the hole, Joren can see that they had dug through the side of a small underground lake within a larger chamber. It looks like a quick 50 foot swim would bring them to the other side of the water, where a short 10 foot climb would bring them past the original water-level to a ledge that appears to exit the chamber at either end.
Ashley tenses as the water rushes in, she worries that they made a mistake and now they were going to drown here after all they just survived. She watches Samir as he appears to keep his cool about the whole thing. She is really learning to appreciate all her new friends in their own ways, they sure make quite a team. As he directs the two men on when to continue, she holds her breath again as more water comes in, but eventually becomes a trickle. She gives a little whoop! and when untied, she gives them all a high five, thrilled to have not drowned.
When they get through and see the body of water in front of them, her mouth drops open. How can such a thing exist under ground? Coming from the sands, she was not accustomed to being around so much water.. it was awe inspiring and a quite overwhelming. She almost missed the feeling of the dry acrid air of home.
Joren mops his brow with the back of his forearm after he stops swinging the pick axe, only to have it inundated by the flood of water. He holds steady against the torrent and is glad to see everyone else is as well, thanks to the rope.
He gladly high fives Ashley and the others with enthusiasm. What a strange celebratory gesture. But I am kind of liking it!
However, he is worried about the lake. He instinctively knows that such underground lakes can hold dangerous creatures. And he also knows that heavy armor, such as the Chain Mail that he and Marion are wearing, tends to sink to the bottom. Of course, in Joren's case, he can just send his echo across and swap places, but the paladin of the blue lady has no such luxury. He takes a good look at the lake, trying to gauge the depth of the remaining water and whether he sees any potential dangers (in addition to the obvious danger of sinking due to armor).
However, there is still too much water dripping into Joren's eyes and he doesn't see much. Perception: 6.
He asks the others: "Marion may be having to take of our armor to swim across. I would be doing so as well but I think I can be echo-swapping to the other side. Are any of you seeing any hazards in the water or how deep it is?"
Vilus pokes his head through the hole that he and Joren made, observing the lake before him. He makes sure to also look left and right observing more than just the perceived destination. (Perception 8).
Looking into the depths of the water he thumbs through his Book of Shadows and conjures up a mage hand which slaps at the water a few times before waiting on a reaction...
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Perception 2
Samir does his best to peer into the next chamber, using a renewed Light cantrip. He blinks as he tries to guage the distance to solid ground before turning his head to Joren.
"Joren, is there a way that you could use your... echo... to get to the ground over there? Then you could possibly use some of the rope to help pull people across. I imagine some of us are not the best swimmers..."
His expression is slightly embarrassed as he says the last, obviously including himself in the less skilled category.
The water ripples before Vilus, and he could swear he saw movement under the surface. But the dark depths do not yield their secrets to him so easily.
At that moment, however, Samir hears a wet slapping sound. Looking down by his feet, he is the first to notice a fish flopping around in the dwindling shallows in which they currently stand. Several others dot the cavern floor, each one a slender fish ranging from one to three feet long, with silver and black scales. Their eyes are bulbous and milky white, and as one gulps in the air, Samir notes that it does not appear to have teeth.
Shining his light then through the hole, he can see silhouettes darting about in the water that look like the fish on the ground behind him. The other side of the water appears to be about 50 feet away.
Ashley nods vehemently when Samir mentions some are not the best swimmers, she's never even tried! She looks at all the fish, but hopes Joren can do something with his echo to help them across.
Joren startles for a moment, seeing the fish for the first time, then gazes across the water again.
If we are coming so far only to be stopped by some toothless... Ryba... blind fish in the water... but there may be more danger than easily apparent.
"Borrowing your rope, Ashley, then sending my echo and swapping. Throwing the other end of the rope back. Watching my back, please all of you!"
He looks for some decent-sized loose rocks, perhaps knocked loose during his work with the pick axe, to which he can tie one end of the rope. So that upon getting to the other side, he can more easily throw the rock back 50', taking that end of the rope with it. He also borrows pitons and a hammer from Vilus. Then, if no one has any objections, while standing near the edge, Joren sends his echo 30' out across the water, then quickly another 30' to the other side and swaps with it, his echo suddenly appearing in his place on the near side before popping out of existence.
Joren takes a moment on the far side to look for hazards or anything else that hadn't been visible before, re-summoning his echo.
Perception: 5 (Unfortunately, he is still too focused on the immediate work, and is oblivious to any surrounding dangers.)
He ties a rock to one end of the rope, while securing the other end with the pitons and hammer. Only if he does not see any hazards and his companions do not warn him of any danger that they so does he try to throw the end of the rope with the rock back to his companions. The plan being that each one can tie themselves with the rope and then Joren can help pull them across quickly as they swim, OR that they also tie themselves off and use their hands to pull themselves along the rope. Or any other such idea that people are comfortable with.
(Jorencan always swap back and forth, bringing back the hammer and pitons. he just can't bring only one end of the rope!)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Malachi waves his hand to clean some of the mud and debris from his clothing as the torrent of water from the hole subsides, then pauses as he sees the lake stretched out before them “What’s the use”he sighs. “Still the water is fresh, not saltwater, so we are not quite at the coast yet.”
Malachi helps Joren set up the guide rope as best as he can, summoning his mage hand to help pull the end of the rope across the last thirty feet if necessary. He is thankful, and not for the first time either, for Joren's training and quick thinking in these situations. Once the rope is secure on both sides, he volunteers to go first. He hooks his leg over the rope and uses both hands to pull himself across, crawling along the rope. Acrobatics: 22.
Focused as he is when he reaches the other side, it is still impossible for Joren to miss what lies before him. A set of rails, well used, but still new enough not to show signs of rust despite the damp environment.
Either just before or just after Malachi comes across (and assuming no incidents during Malachi's crossing if after), Joren echo-swaps back across temporarily to let the rest of the party know about the set of rails, relatively new but showing signs of frequent use at one point.
"I am thinking these may be tracks for mining carts and vehicles for Tensmith? Perhaps not being used now if the mines are having been shut down, but being built and used recently at least. I am hoping we can follow the rails to the exit to the mines, though I am not knowing which direction, left or right."
After getting the rope taut, Malachi begins to shimmy up. He bobs up and down as he begins his crossing, and his back is very nearly dipped in the water of this large aquifer, but he just barely manages to keep himself high and dry. His movements are quick and efficient, though by the time he reaches the other end, his forearms are feeling the burn a bit. Still, he makes it across without incident.
Seeing the tracks for himself, Malachi recalls the letter he had read indicating that the followers of Razmus themselves also had an operation going on that involved a cart and more of the rat-men, trying to tunnel their way into the Tensmith Mines. If this happened to be that tunnel, then one direction should lead north towards Tensmith, but conclude in a dead end, while the other direction would likely reconnect them with the cultist's main path toward Talmouth on the coast.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Once Malachi has made his crossing, Samir shuffles up himself. Glasses tucked into a pocket, and his bags strapped (hopefully) securely to his body, he tentatively sets out to cross the water as best he can.
Samir has seen Malachi in action a couple of times now, and though wall running over a perilous chasm is still a little out of his wheelhouse, careful observation of Malachi's climb reveal enough to Samir about the basic biomechanical principles at work in making the ascent as efficient as possible. It's just a matter of bone placement, leverage, and coordination. Samir does his best to imitate Malachi, and within just a few seconds it clicks. Samir's climb is just as smooth as Malachi's, though by the end he is likewise feeling a burn in his forearms as well as his abs, and he flexes and unflexes his fingers to alleviate the aching in his knuckles.
Once a Samir and Malachi have made it across, Vilus eyes the taught rope warily, "I don't think rope walking is really in my particular wheel house.. if I do into the water and pull myself across hand over hand can you guys be prepared to attack anything that might jump me? Best case scenario we've got supper, worst one less mouth to feed eh?" He smiles as he tightens his pack high on his shoulders and edges out on to the rope, he lowers himself gently to around waist deep in the water and if he feels no bottom to it he begins pulling himself over,
"Joren is right, this water is being held by the stone, but if we let it through it will surge. Can we tie off? Use some pitons on the side walls and rope? I have some rope as well, Joren did you want to join me? I know you don't have any." She points to a spot in the thinned out rock, "if we hit it here with the pickaxe, I think that would do it, but lets prepare."
She starts pulling her rope out of her pack to get started.
Malachi tastes the water. It has a fresh but very flat, mineral taste, clearly more akin to mountain run-off than seawater.
After a good 15 minutes, pitons are set up at intervals, with ropes between them, and everyone has a chance to secure themselves. All that remains now is the wall.
Joren nods as Ashley and the others describe their findings. Yes that is sounding right.
He ties off on the rope along with her, flashing what he hopes is a reassuring smile in her direction, then looks for who has the pick axe.
"Using the pick axe first, I can try. Unless someone else is wanting to do it? It may be creating smaller holes to ease the water pressure, letting smaller amounts through at first - cannot be sure. Otherwise we can be trying... Vilus' Shatter magic." (His stumble on the name is small but noticeable.)
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
"pick axe first, the shattering magic is less.. controllable. But I can help you here" Vilus states as he retrieves his crowbar from his pouch. Tying himself off to a piton in the wall, he begins hacking at a particularly wet patch, along with Joren and his pickaxe.
Trying to time his pick axe blows in alternation with Vilus' work with the crowbar, Joren attempts to open a small hole in the wet area of the rock face to let water through in a controlled fashion. Also being careful to avoid hitting his companions on his backswing.
Athletics ((at advantage)): 17
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
Joren and Vilus work away at the wall, chipping off chunks of wet stone in the spot Ashley had indicated. After a few minutes, they notice a definite increase in the amount of water dripping down. Joren swings the pick again, and a thin jet of water starts spraying out from the rock face. Carefully, he lines up another swing. A chunk of stone comes away, and the high pressure spray grows larger. The air grows damp as droplets of water begin to form in hair and on clothes. Another swing loosens a large chunk of stone that gets blasted out of the way by the water pressure, but a crack also forms, running diagonally across the wall. More misty sprays erupt from the crack.
Joren and Vilus realize they need to be careful, but Joren feels confident that they can still widen the hole safely. With little taps, the two continue to chip away. After another minute, the hole is about 2 feet wide, with a torrent of water pouring out. It is pooling up around everyone's legs, up to their knees. A strong current pulls at them as the water flows down the passage away from them. Thankfully, footing isn't of too much concern, with everyone secured by rope. But Samir has enough understanding of the integral principles of the structural dynamics of flow to recognize that, based on the pressure of the water coming from the hole, there is only so much water above it being acted upon by gravity. In fact, left as is, he would estimate that the flow of water should abate in anywhere between 10 minutes and half an hour. So they wait. After a while, the pressure does indeed go down, as does the water level around their legs. With a nod from Samir, Joren and Vilus begin chipping away at the top of the hole again, making it wide enough to crawl through as well as speeding up the process of emptying out the last bit of water.
Finally, 40 minutes later, the flow of water is no more that a light trickle. Looking through the hole, Joren can see that they had dug through the side of a small underground lake within a larger chamber. It looks like a quick 50 foot swim would bring them to the other side of the water, where a short 10 foot climb would bring them past the original water-level to a ledge that appears to exit the chamber at either end.
Ashley tenses as the water rushes in, she worries that they made a mistake and now they were going to drown here after all they just survived. She watches Samir as he appears to keep his cool about the whole thing. She is really learning to appreciate all her new friends in their own ways, they sure make quite a team. As he directs the two men on when to continue, she holds her breath again as more water comes in, but eventually becomes a trickle. She gives a little whoop! and when untied, she gives them all a high five, thrilled to have not drowned.
When they get through and see the body of water in front of them, her mouth drops open. How can such a thing exist under ground? Coming from the sands, she was not accustomed to being around so much water.. it was awe inspiring and a quite overwhelming. She almost missed the feeling of the dry acrid air of home.
Joren mops his brow with the back of his forearm after he stops swinging the pick axe, only to have it inundated by the flood of water. He holds steady against the torrent and is glad to see everyone else is as well, thanks to the rope.
He gladly high fives Ashley and the others with enthusiasm. What a strange celebratory gesture. But I am kind of liking it!
However, he is worried about the lake. He instinctively knows that such underground lakes can hold dangerous creatures. And he also knows that heavy armor, such as the Chain Mail that he and Marion are wearing, tends to sink to the bottom. Of course, in Joren's case, he can just send his echo across and swap places, but the paladin of the blue lady has no such luxury. He takes a good look at the lake, trying to gauge the depth of the remaining water and whether he sees any potential dangers (in addition to the obvious danger of sinking due to armor).
However, there is still too much water dripping into Joren's eyes and he doesn't see much. Perception: 6.
He asks the others: "Marion may be having to take of our armor to swim across. I would be doing so as well but I think I can be echo-swapping to the other side. Are any of you seeing any hazards in the water or how deep it is?"
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
Vilus pokes his head through the hole that he and Joren made, observing the lake before him. He makes sure to also look left and right observing more than just the perceived destination. (Perception 8).
Looking into the depths of the water he thumbs through his Book of Shadows and conjures up a mage hand which slaps at the water a few times before waiting on a reaction...
Perception 2
Samir does his best to peer into the next chamber, using a renewed Light cantrip. He blinks as he tries to guage the distance to solid ground before turning his head to Joren.
"Joren, is there a way that you could use your... echo... to get to the ground over there? Then you could possibly use some of the rope to help pull people across. I imagine some of us are not the best swimmers..."
His expression is slightly embarrassed as he says the last, obviously including himself in the less skilled category.
The water ripples before Vilus, and he could swear he saw movement under the surface. But the dark depths do not yield their secrets to him so easily.
At that moment, however, Samir hears a wet slapping sound. Looking down by his feet, he is the first to notice a fish flopping around in the dwindling shallows in which they currently stand. Several others dot the cavern floor, each one a slender fish ranging from one to three feet long, with silver and black scales. Their eyes are bulbous and milky white, and as one gulps in the air, Samir notes that it does not appear to have teeth.
Shining his light then through the hole, he can see silhouettes darting about in the water that look like the fish on the ground behind him. The other side of the water appears to be about 50 feet away.
Ashley nods vehemently when Samir mentions some are not the best swimmers, she's never even tried! She looks at all the fish, but hopes Joren can do something with his echo to help them across.
Joren startles for a moment, seeing the fish for the first time, then gazes across the water again.
If we are coming so far only to be stopped by some toothless... Ryba... blind fish in the water... but there may be more danger than easily apparent.
"Borrowing your rope, Ashley, then sending my echo and swapping. Throwing the other end of the rope back. Watching my back, please all of you!"
He looks for some decent-sized loose rocks, perhaps knocked loose during his work with the pick axe, to which he can tie one end of the rope. So that upon getting to the other side, he can more easily throw the rock back 50', taking that end of the rope with it. He also borrows pitons and a hammer from Vilus. Then, if no one has any objections, while standing near the edge, Joren sends his echo 30' out across the water, then quickly another 30' to the other side and swaps with it, his echo suddenly appearing in his place on the near side before popping out of existence.
Joren takes a moment on the far side to look for hazards or anything else that hadn't been visible before, re-summoning his echo.
Perception: 5 (Unfortunately, he is still too focused on the immediate work, and is oblivious to any surrounding dangers.)
He ties a rock to one end of the rope, while securing the other end with the pitons and hammer. Only if he does not see any hazards and his companions do not warn him of any danger that they so does he try to throw the end of the rope with the rock back to his companions. The plan being that each one can tie themselves with the rope and then Joren can help pull them across quickly as they swim, OR that they also tie themselves off and use their hands to pull themselves along the rope. Or any other such idea that people are comfortable with.
(Joren can always swap back and forth, bringing back the hammer and pitons. he just can't bring only one end of the rope!)
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
Malachi waves his hand to clean some of the mud and debris from his clothing as the torrent of water from the hole subsides, then pauses as he sees the lake stretched out before them “What’s the use” he sighs. “Still the water is fresh, not saltwater, so we are not quite at the coast yet.”
Malachi helps Joren set up the guide rope as best as he can, summoning his mage hand to help pull the end of the rope across the last thirty feet if necessary. He is thankful, and not for the first time either, for Joren's training and quick thinking in these situations. Once the rope is secure on both sides, he volunteers to go first. He hooks his leg over the rope and uses both hands to pull himself across, crawling along the rope. Acrobatics: 22.
.
Focused as he is when he reaches the other side, it is still impossible for Joren to miss what lies before him. A set of rails, well used, but still new enough not to show signs of rust despite the damp environment.
Either just before or just after Malachi comes across (and assuming no incidents during Malachi's crossing if after), Joren echo-swaps back across temporarily to let the rest of the party know about the set of rails, relatively new but showing signs of frequent use at one point.
"I am thinking these may be tracks for mining carts and vehicles for Tensmith? Perhaps not being used now if the mines are having been shut down, but being built and used recently at least. I am hoping we can follow the rails to the exit to the mines, though I am not knowing which direction, left or right."
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
After getting the rope taut, Malachi begins to shimmy up. He bobs up and down as he begins his crossing, and his back is very nearly dipped in the water of this large aquifer, but he just barely manages to keep himself high and dry. His movements are quick and efficient, though by the time he reaches the other end, his forearms are feeling the burn a bit. Still, he makes it across without incident.
Seeing the tracks for himself, Malachi recalls the letter he had read indicating that the followers of Razmus themselves also had an operation going on that involved a cart and more of the rat-men, trying to tunnel their way into the Tensmith Mines. If this happened to be that tunnel, then one direction should lead north towards Tensmith, but conclude in a dead end, while the other direction would likely reconnect them with the cultist's main path toward Talmouth on the coast.
Once Malachi has made his crossing, Samir shuffles up himself. Glasses tucked into a pocket, and his bags strapped (hopefully) securely to his body, he tentatively sets out to cross the water as best he can.
Acrobatics, using Inspiration for Advantage 22
Samir has seen Malachi in action a couple of times now, and though wall running over a perilous chasm is still a little out of his wheelhouse, careful observation of Malachi's climb reveal enough to Samir about the basic biomechanical principles at work in making the ascent as efficient as possible. It's just a matter of bone placement, leverage, and coordination. Samir does his best to imitate Malachi, and within just a few seconds it clicks. Samir's climb is just as smooth as Malachi's, though by the end he is likewise feeling a burn in his forearms as well as his abs, and he flexes and unflexes his fingers to alleviate the aching in his knuckles.
Once a Samir and Malachi have made it across, Vilus eyes the taught rope warily, "I don't think rope walking is really in my particular wheel house.. if I do into the water and pull myself across hand over hand can you guys be prepared to attack anything that might jump me? Best case scenario we've got supper, worst one less mouth to feed eh?" He smiles as he tightens his pack high on his shoulders and edges out on to the rope, he lowers himself gently to around waist deep in the water and if he feels no bottom to it he begins pulling himself over,
(Athletics NAT20, for a total 22)