Tests and Trials Game Thread

Cladmir became even more marveled at the Dragonborn for in addition to his magic sword, magical sight, it appears that he could also talk to horses!  It was then that he realized that he was also amazed at his new companion's strange and unique capabilities, not to mention this underground library, the librarian, the golems...  While he had heard such tall tales occasionally from adventurers he has always attributed some of the more fantastic elements to aggrandized boastfulness.  But now here he was!  As part of this party!

(( As far as starting equipment would go since Cladmir is just a regular skirmisher with no grand purpose he just has the usual gear of longbow -- he's a rate of fire guy, sharpshooting is more for the real scouts -- a shield to use if needed.  The other gears he have is quite sufficient.  He also got his cook's utensils and mess kit back as well. ))

"Well, they are drow.   Cannot be trusted.   At all.   But when you speak to the one, they still have several of our items that they took when they captured and tortured us.  We would like to find out where those items are and get them back."   When Jaq speaks to the golem/librarian he takes his lead from her and speaks calmly and emotionlessly as he can.

"So long as they're well secured, no need to be hasty with executions.  Even if they manage to escape, I doubt two drow will cause much trouble unless they are a magic user."  Lurn conjures a set of Goodberries and passes two to Kroshav, "Feed them these, slowly.  It may not be their preferred fodder, but nourishment provided by my Lord will see to their needs better than meals suited to our like.  Just make sure they aren't too hasty, a single divine bead can be a lot even for me to chew."  Lurn turns to start heading back for the stairs, "Let's get these two settled in and comfortable first, then we can search the remaining rooms for our missing belongings."

((On the topic of Joe, can't she use Prestidigitation to create a "small trinket" which sheds light?  Little lantern of some sort?))

((@Forever, Joe can conjure up a small item that provides dim light in a very small area (5') for an hour, yes. She could make that lantern but not the fire within it to provide more light. A prestidigated item would only last a turn. I will note again that the Librarian had flameless light in her area, it was rather brightly lit in fact. I don't think anyone actually looked specifically but a glance would have shown that the light was being provided by glowing hand-sized crystals in rusty sconces. I will just presume you ask after one and one would be brought up for the horses.

@Row, Librarian had tone and feeling when you spoke to her in person, the lack of anything like that through seems to be a result of the way it is being conveyed through the golem. It may go both ways, but you know that she can see you through the golem so is more able to read body language. If she wanted to.))

The golem replies,

"I am aware of the extent to which they can be trusted. I will ask. You may also be present when I make my inquiries if you would like."

The golem will continue following the party and lead them to the room where the duergar had been holing up before the drow arrived. The room looks entirely unchanged and another golem would arrive with a single glowing crystal which provides cold, bright light. It doesn't illuminate the entire room but it definitely between that nothing.

((Is it the holiday holding us up or is something unclear?))

((Is the duergar room intended to be the stables?))

((I'm just waiting on others to give Kroshav time to see to his horses, give them a goodberry to fill their stomachs.  After that's done I'll be in favour of exploring what's left to search for our missing stuff.))

((Ya, the Librarian has given it over as a stables. With it's three blocked entrances it's relatively well container.))

Kroshav will get the horses settled in, giving them pats and brushings, and communicating through Eula to help clear up any concerns the two have. When Lurn offers to produce something for them to eat, he is grateful, and when he mentions it to Eula, the pair probably push their way to nuzzle up to him.

Cladmir doesn't have much intimate experience with horses but he has had much experience with the general care for horses during his campaigns (mostly as a result of losing a bet), so unless Kroshav wishes otherwise Cladmir will volunteer with helping settling the horses by performing the basic manual tasks that are needed.  He may also try to start a conversation (something he's not really good at) with Kroshav as well if the opportunity arises.

Kroshav welcomes the help, and introduces his new companion to Ealu, a silvery grey war horse whose coloring has darker and more frequent spots closer to her hooves. She wickers in acknowledgement and regards him with closely before tapping a hoof against the floor. Charlie is a good sized riding horse, with a bay coat and white legs, with a creamy mane and tail. He seems more hesitant than Ealu, looking both to her and Kroshav before approaching as well.

"Cladmir, this is Ealu and Charlie. Ealu and Charlie, this is Cladmir, he got caught by the drow too, but we found him and let him loose. Mikram too, that's the dwarf backpack that Lurn has. Charlie's been with me for years, and Ealu has been sent by my gods to help me. She can understand Common, but Charlie's doesn't as good, but she can talk to him in Horse."

Lurn takes a set of ten goodberries and puts one in each palm, which he offers to the horses, speaking to them with Speech of Beast and Leaf, "Make sure you chew carefully.  These are special berries that get much bigger when you eat them."

When the librarian states she will wait for us to be to be there when she questions the prisoner, if we want that, Jaq shakes his head no, then, not sure if she will see or understand that correctly, states, "no need, at least not for me.  I'm certain you will do a good job at that."    He gives both horses a nice nose-rub when they aren't mobbed by the others, and then he waits quietly near the doorway, halfway into the hall and watches the hall, just in case.

"Eula, I don't want to leave you and Charlie alone again, but there are more drow and spiders running about, the Librarian wants them gone, you'll be safe and warm here, and we'll be back soon."

Mikram remains silent as he looks around the room. He is visibly more relaxed, and his eyes have a more appraising quality as he observes his surroundings.

Charlie steps up an sniffs a berry and, on hearing the voice in his head, simply munches on one. He chews, and chews and chews and chews. More than a bit of drool leaks from his big lips during his determined chewing. Eula simply walks up and rubs her head affectionately on Lurn.

Kroshav hears,

When Jaq comes over, Charlie gladly welcomes the pets and scritches. Eula does as well but not with the same level of need.

Even without its eyes it is clear the golem is watching the drool puddle on the floor. Another golem arrives and both say,

"I will leave a golem in the entrance so the livestock does not wander."

((Off to searching now?))

Cladmir looked at the interactions with the horses with amazement.  While he had witnessed close bonds between men and beasts before, he had never heard of a claim of a horse sent by the gods, let alone one that understands common.  At first he wanted to know if the Dragonborn's ability to "see" has anything to do with his ability to talk with the horses, but the conversation got away from him and so he held his tongue.  Then he wanted to ask what was really the deal with the librarian and the golems and the drows and all the spiders, but he got uneasy after realizing that the golems appeared to be the eyes and ears of the librarian so he kept his mouth shut too.

Once the party is on the way and Cladmir is sure they are somewhat alone Cladmir would ask Kroshav the following:  Pray tell, paladin.  What is the nature of our quest that we must assist the librarian removing the drow?  I am indebted to you so I shall follow you on this quest, is this party is similarly indebted to the librarian?

"Lurn, Eula says thanks for the offer, but she doesn't need to eat your berries to stay strong. She likes you though, she just doesn't need to eat."

"I don't suppose you have any straw or hay down here?", Kroshav asks the Librarian through her golem.

He'll say his goodbyes to the horses, and gather his things to depart. 

((Am I correct in assuming an hour has passed and Protection from Poison is not up any more?))

"Well, we came across one of her golems, but small, and when you turned it on, it kept trying to get back here. We didn't know where it was going, so just turned it on and followed it, because we wanted to know, and it let here. Guess the whole place is hers, and the drow and their spiders have taken over except the lowest levels. She gave us a place to sleep without getting spider bit, and we agreed to help her out and clear out the drow and seal the tunnel. At that point we'd already gotten into a tussle with them and they took our stuff, so we'd have probably gotten into a scrape with them whether she asked for our help or not. What brought you down here?"

Cladmir would notice that the big dragonborn is in much better spirits having moved his horses to a safer local, the fierce warrior of the gods is still there, but he seems much more cheerful and optimistic than when the party was scrambling and running for their lives against drow.

Cladmir listened to the tale and was amazed that his rescue was started by this group of adventurer simply following a small golem, and while he has never been one to put much thoughts into the gods, he couldn't help but to silently prey to whatever gods that looked after him.  He also noted the noticeably cheerful Dragonborn once the horses were safe.  Perhaps this horse really was a gift from the gods after all?  And if so, what future still awaits this paladin?

"The caravan that I was a part of was simply traveling through the area when our guide *claimed* he knew a shortcut and took us on it.  The area did not seem dangerous so we were not prepared.  We were taken by surprise when we were attacked later that night and some of the people from party was taken down here.  I know many had died and I would be too if you have not saved me."  

((All the golems are the same size, they aren't very big. Protection is gone now, yes.))

The golem responds about hay,

"No. But I can add it to your meal if you'd like? Diets have changed it seems."

"It'd be bedding for the horses, more comfortable to stand on than stone, and will make it easier for me to clean up any... messes. Sawdust works too, but don't suppose that's any more on hand.", he responds to the golem.

"Sorry to hear your caravan got got. Was it the drow that did that? You know of any others we should be on the lookout for down here?"