Zerxius feels a gentle tap on his shoulder. “Still want that light?”
From behind the man, a ‘floating’ torch sparks to life, illuminating the ‘shadow’ lurking in the dark at their back. The fire lights up the pale face of a platinum blonde woman with vibrant big blue eyes and a sweet dimpled smile. She’s dressed in studded leathers with layers of dust on them and smears of dirt on her face, hinting that she must have been down here for a little while. Cradled comfortably in her other arm is a decorative clay pot.
The young blonde blinks, then starts to giggle. "I'm no tiefling silly!" She lowers her head to prove absence of horns and wiggles her hips to show no sign of a tail or wings. "I came from my mum of course. She was a person an' dad was..." Blue hues gaze up as if she were searching her mind, then she looks to the pot almost as if consulting with it. "Or was dad the person an' mum..." She scrunches her nose and looks to fall into deep thought, so deep smoke could come out her ears any moment. Then she raspberries with her mouth and shrugs. "Ahh, fuzzy story short, I'mma mutt raised by a wise ol' tortle." The woman nods affirmatively. "Gramma Trudie Toots herself!" She chimes. "'Ma Toots was silent, but she could be deadly! Dun get on her bad side I tell ya." She turns a little to nudge the man with her pot holding elbow and winks. "Rot ya to yer core!" She giggles, smiling widely at him.
Another blink. "Oh! Of course!" Her head dips back as if remembering something. "How rude of me not to introduce... Here, hold this." She hands him the torch to hold. "Allow me to introduce," The blonde holds the pot close in front of her with both hands, "Pepper Potts!" She curtsies. Standing back upright, she rocks on her feet with a bob. Another pause, another blink. "Right!" She lifts a finger. "Who am I?" Then points to herself. "I'm Celeste!" She bobs again. "Mhmm! Yes. Been down here a bit..." Celeste clears her throat and rubs the back of her neck. "Ya know... cave in an' such..." She trails off.
"An' who do I have the pleasure of assisting?" She grins.
"Hey Hog. You all want to come back here a bit? Seems we've been found" holding the torch he looks back at the woman. "My name is Zerxius. The ones coming back are Bree, Jane, Rantel and Hoghead"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Feeling lost in the dark trying to look for traps Jane is sure to notice when the torch lights up. Though she is a trusting soul she holds her peace for now, trying to figure out if this is some lost adventurer or something more sinister.
Celeste's head tilts at the man hailing for a Hog prior to introducing himself as Zerxius. She smiles politely, rocking on the balls of her feet while waiting for the others he speaks of. Craning her neck at the voice, she peers over Zerxius shoulder to wave enthusiastically to the others. "Mmhmm! Sure did!" the blonde chimes back to the voice. "Hungry?" She adds.
The quiet one looking Celeste over would positively be able to identify that the woman was genuine and truthful. Quite the opposite of a liar in fact, and more of an open book. She didn't seem like one where deception would be her forte.
The beardless dwarf hurries over ready for a fight. Once he sees the relaxed disposition of everyone, he will lower his hammer and cautiously approach. "Hey, I'm Hoghead Giantsbane. We're looking for someone, have you seen anyone else down here?"
Welcome welcome to ixi and her bubbly Druid and her pal Pepper Pots. Figured since you lost your barbarian and your Rogue you could use reinforcements.
Hallway ahead is clear-ish (as best you can tell) and the shadow lurking in the cave has resolved itself into a friendly sort of surprise.
You have another closed door in the room or you can proceed down the hallway into the darkness ahead.
The tortle's scarred face brightens into a grin. "Eh-HAH! Trudie and I go way back! I'd heard she'd found someone who shared her love of herbs, perhaps that's you? Celeste? I'm Rantel. Or would that be Uncle Rantel?"
Celeste sees, by the firelight, an old tortle whose figure cuts more old detective than adventurer, or mage. Though his shell has lines that shine faintly orange, corresponding to the bonfire that continues to immolate the remains of the bad tree. He has an old, well-used longsword, and a scrapbook attached to his belt.
He opens an arm in a welcoming manner, and doesn't turn away an embrace, nor does he initiate one. He's trying to remember if he has seen Celeste before.
Eventually he's very curious about the cave in, and how she got here, and what she was doing, how she survived, how long it's been. But he's saving those questions for a bit.
Jane smiles a bit as she realizes that this may be a bit of good fortune, then glances back at the rest of the tunnel leading to who knows what. "Thank you for the light, it was getting a bit hard to see down here myself. I don't believe we have time to eat anything, as Hogshead mentioned we are down here looking for someone. Er, someones. You wouldn't happen to have seen a bunch of goblin kids down here, have you? Maybe we should walk and talk.
Hoghead relaxes a bit seeing the reaction of the rest of the group to Celeste. He was here for coin, not to be a hero but if he could help someone without putting himself out too much, so be it. Still, he was impatient. "There's things down here that need killing. Let's get a move on. Celeste, if you want out, we can point you in the direction of the exit. If you want to help us kill this Dark Lord fella, we'd be happy to have you. Just to be clear though, it's dangerous and I don't expect us to leave with everyone we came with. Each of us came down here willingly so it's your choice."
Celeste's light bounces off the beautifully worked tiles of the hallway, illuminating the scenes of Dragons raiding villages, soaring majestically and sleeping contentedly on their hordes. The Hallway runs for about 80ft before ending suddenly and abruptly, almost as if something tore off the rest of the passage. From where the party stands - about 20ft inside and 50ft from the end of the hallway - all you can see is the ragged edge of the stones where the hallway ends in a rift of some sort. The rift appears to be about 25 feet wide and the far side of the chasm is rough stone and densely packed earth.
SUMMARY AND ACTION
Ok - moved you forward a little bit and took advantage of the light to advance the story. The hallway is clear for the next 50 ft. It looks like the hallway was torn in half - but you can't see what happened to the other half from where you stand - you have to advance further down the hallway to reveal anything else.
"Celeste, did you see a dragon down here? Maybe that's what this Dark Lord jabroni is. I've always wanted to die fighting a dragon!" Hoghead says this in a deadpan tone. He walks to the end of the hallway to the tear to see what he can.
Hoghead gets to the end of the hallway, peering over the edge into the rift below. The hallway was indeed torn in two - the remainder of it can be seen about 10 ft to the right on the other side of the rift.
The rift itself is 30 feet deep and 25 feet across and runs off into the darkness into both the East and West. It looks like a tear in the earth that cut through the dungeon itself.
SUMMARY AND ACTION
You have a whole range of options. 30 feet down to the bottom of the rift from where you stand. The other side of the hallway is 10 ft to your right and at about the same height as where you stand now.
“Hi Hog!” Celeste smiles. “I’m looking for someone too!” She blurts then pauses abruptly to think. “Mmmn… No, just Potts and you guys.”
After a few blinks, Celeste beams. “Uncle Rantel!” She shimmies by with her pot towards the turtles embrace. “I know that crispy ol’ orange shell when I see it!”
The blonde nods to Jane, respecting her suggestion. “If you change your mind, I can grow some pretty good berries on the spot!” And Celeste would do just that. She’d chit chat and yammer along while taking playful cross steps, then timed steps, with Rantel as they’d meander along. ”Dark Lord fella? Hmm… Is he like a 'dark master'? ‘Ma Toots got me sniffing out a sour druid doing bad voodoo!” (Magics, bad magics) She pats her nose. “If it’s the same guy, she said nothin ‘bout a dragon!”
Hoghead looks into the gorge and over at Zerxius. "I think you might be right, Z. I don't think those two idiots would have gotten through here easily. Maybe we should check the other way first. If anyone wants me to climb down into this gorge, I'll scout ahead but the other way will be easier. At least for now."
Zerxius feels a gentle tap on his shoulder. “Still want that light?”
From behind the man, a ‘floating’ torch sparks to life, illuminating the ‘shadow’ lurking in the dark at their back. The fire lights up the pale face of a platinum blonde woman with vibrant big blue eyes and a sweet dimpled smile. She’s dressed in studded leathers with layers of dust on them and smears of dirt on her face, hinting that she must have been down here for a little while. Cradled comfortably in her other arm is a decorative clay pot.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Yes that would be....." Turning quickly. "Who are you and where in the hells did you come from?"
Laissez les bons temps rouler
The young blonde blinks, then starts to giggle. "I'm no tiefling silly!" She lowers her head to prove absence of horns and wiggles her hips to show no sign of a tail or wings. "I came from my mum of course. She was a person an' dad was..." Blue hues gaze up as if she were searching her mind, then she looks to the pot almost as if consulting with it. "Or was dad the person an' mum..." She scrunches her nose and looks to fall into deep thought, so deep smoke could come out her ears any moment. Then she raspberries with her mouth and shrugs. "Ahh, fuzzy story short, I'mma mutt raised by a wise ol' tortle." The woman nods affirmatively. "Gramma Trudie Toots herself!" She chimes. "'Ma Toots was silent, but she could be deadly! Dun get on her bad side I tell ya." She turns a little to nudge the man with her pot holding elbow and winks. "Rot ya to yer core!" She giggles, smiling widely at him.
Another blink. "Oh! Of course!" Her head dips back as if remembering something. "How rude of me not to introduce... Here, hold this." She hands him the torch to hold. "Allow me to introduce," The blonde holds the pot close in front of her with both hands, "Pepper Potts!" She curtsies. Standing back upright, she rocks on her feet with a bob. Another pause, another blink. "Right!" She lifts a finger. "Who am I?" Then points to herself. "I'm Celeste!" She bobs again. "Mhmm! Yes. Been down here a bit..." Celeste clears her throat and rubs the back of her neck. "Ya know... cave in an' such..." She trails off.
"An' who do I have the pleasure of assisting?" She grins.
just an unstable unicorn.
"Hey Hog. You all want to come back here a bit? Seems we've been found" holding the torch he looks back at the woman. "My name is Zerxius. The ones coming back are Bree, Jane, Rantel and Hoghead"
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Rantel's been off examining the farm for any items that might have been useful, or any food or other product that might be handy.
Investigation: 16
He hears conversation and approaches the party... and a guest? He picks up a bit of what Celeste has said. "Mmm? Did you say Trudie?"
Feeling lost in the dark trying to look for traps Jane is sure to notice when the torch lights up. Though she is a trusting soul she holds her peace for now, trying to figure out if this is some lost adventurer or something more sinister.
Insight: 18
Celeste's head tilts at the man hailing for a Hog prior to introducing himself as Zerxius. She smiles politely, rocking on the balls of her feet while waiting for the others he speaks of. Craning her neck at the voice, she peers over Zerxius shoulder to wave enthusiastically to the others. "Mmhmm! Sure did!" the blonde chimes back to the voice. "Hungry?" She adds.
The quiet one looking Celeste over would positively be able to identify that the woman was genuine and truthful. Quite the opposite of a liar in fact, and more of an open book. She didn't seem like one where deception would be her forte.
just an unstable unicorn.
The beardless dwarf hurries over ready for a fight. Once he sees the relaxed disposition of everyone, he will lower his hammer and cautiously approach. "Hey, I'm Hoghead Giantsbane. We're looking for someone, have you seen anyone else down here?"
SUMMARY AND ACTION
Welcome welcome to ixi and her bubbly Druid and her pal Pepper Pots. Figured since you lost your barbarian and your Rogue you could use reinforcements.
Hallway ahead is clear-ish (as best you can tell) and the shadow lurking in the cave has resolved itself into a friendly sort of surprise.
You have another closed door in the room or you can proceed down the hallway into the darkness ahead.
The tortle's scarred face brightens into a grin. "Eh-HAH! Trudie and I go way back! I'd heard she'd found someone who shared her love of herbs, perhaps that's you? Celeste? I'm Rantel. Or would that be Uncle Rantel?"
Celeste sees, by the firelight, an old tortle whose figure cuts more old detective than adventurer, or mage. Though his shell has lines that shine faintly orange, corresponding to the bonfire that continues to immolate the remains of the bad tree. He has an old, well-used longsword, and a scrapbook attached to his belt.
He opens an arm in a welcoming manner, and doesn't turn away an embrace, nor does he initiate one. He's trying to remember if he has seen Celeste before.
Eventually he's very curious about the cave in, and how she got here, and what she was doing, how she survived, how long it's been. But he's saving those questions for a bit.
Jane smiles a bit as she realizes that this may be a bit of good fortune, then glances back at the rest of the tunnel leading to who knows what. "Thank you for the light, it was getting a bit hard to see down here myself. I don't believe we have time to eat anything, as Hogshead mentioned we are down here looking for someone. Er, someones. You wouldn't happen to have seen a bunch of goblin kids down here, have you? Maybe we should walk and talk.
Hoghead relaxes a bit seeing the reaction of the rest of the group to Celeste. He was here for coin, not to be a hero but if he could help someone without putting himself out too much, so be it. Still, he was impatient. "There's things down here that need killing. Let's get a move on. Celeste, if you want out, we can point you in the direction of the exit. If you want to help us kill this Dark Lord fella, we'd be happy to have you. Just to be clear though, it's dangerous and I don't expect us to leave with everyone we came with. Each of us came down here willingly so it's your choice."
Zerxius looks at Jane and Celeste and just shrugs
*Celeste sees an unassuming figure dressed in grey shirt and pants with a black cloak holding a quarterstaff. No other weapons are visible
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Celeste's light bounces off the beautifully worked tiles of the hallway, illuminating the scenes of Dragons raiding villages, soaring majestically and sleeping contentedly on their hordes. The Hallway runs for about 80ft before ending suddenly and abruptly, almost as if something tore off the rest of the passage. From where the party stands - about 20ft inside and 50ft from the end of the hallway - all you can see is the ragged edge of the stones where the hallway ends in a rift of some sort. The rift appears to be about 25 feet wide and the far side of the chasm is rough stone and densely packed earth.
SUMMARY AND ACTION
Ok - moved you forward a little bit and took advantage of the light to advance the story. The hallway is clear for the next 50 ft. It looks like the hallway was torn in half - but you can't see what happened to the other half from where you stand - you have to advance further down the hallway to reveal anything else.
"Celeste, did you see a dragon down here? Maybe that's what this Dark Lord jabroni is. I've always wanted to die fighting a dragon!" Hoghead says this in a deadpan tone. He walks to the end of the hallway to the tear to see what he can.
Hoghead gets to the end of the hallway, peering over the edge into the rift below. The hallway was indeed torn in two - the remainder of it can be seen about 10 ft to the right on the other side of the rift.
The rift itself is 30 feet deep and 25 feet across and runs off into the darkness into both the East and West. It looks like a tear in the earth that cut through the dungeon itself.
SUMMARY AND ACTION
You have a whole range of options. 30 feet down to the bottom of the rift from where you stand. The other side of the hallway is 10 ft to your right and at about the same height as where you stand now.
“Hi Hog!” Celeste smiles. “I’m looking for someone too!” She blurts then pauses abruptly to think. “Mmmn… No, just Potts and you guys.”
After a few blinks, Celeste beams. “Uncle Rantel!” She shimmies by with her pot towards the turtles embrace. “I know that crispy ol’ orange shell when I see it!”
The blonde nods to Jane, respecting her suggestion. “If you change your mind, I can grow some pretty good berries on the spot!” And Celeste would do just that. She’d chit chat and yammer along while taking playful cross steps, then timed steps, with Rantel as they’d meander along. ”Dark Lord fella? Hmm… Is he like a 'dark master'? ‘Ma Toots got me sniffing out a sour druid doing bad voodoo!” (Magics, bad magics) She pats her nose. “If it’s the same guy, she said nothin ‘bout a dragon!”
just an unstable unicorn.
Coming alongside Hoghead Zerxius looks at the passage. Then down. "There is always the other door" he comments softly
Laissez les bons temps rouler
Hoghead looks into the gorge and over at Zerxius. "I think you might be right, Z. I don't think those two idiots would have gotten through here easily. Maybe we should check the other way first. If anyone wants me to climb down into this gorge, I'll scout ahead but the other way will be easier. At least for now."
"Its not the getting down i dont think they got up the other side. Unless they are smarter than we think"
Laissez les bons temps rouler