Rosie does think of another question for Klage. "For such a large group and no means of magical communication, what should we do if we get separated down there? With all the dangers you mentioned, I'd think that's a likely possibility."
Other than that, she eats her food quickly and is ready for bed: it has been a long few days of traveling after all.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Torwin was far too intimidated to participate in the questions. That and they had a serious lack of knowledge in general when it came to adventuring. While most of what seems to be his new companions ask many questions Torwin is only able to think internally the questions he wants to ask. They were particularly worried about illithid colony. Towin wracks their mind for information on them. (Nature check: 18) Torwin wasn't very keen to meet one let alone an entire colony of such beings. They desperately wanted to ask about them and hoped that someone would mention them... but no one did much to the lizardfolk's dismay. They listen to the arcane explanation of how they can leave and tries to piece together what they know of the phenomena known as faerzress concentration. Most importantly they try to reason if teleportation is blocked going out of but wonders if it can be used within the area down below. A safe spot located might be a base of safety and a place to teleport to when there is need. (Arcana Check:22) They look utterly worried as they think of being trapped and illithids eating their brain but don't speak up as they try to distract themselves with other facts like what the Netherese ruins are. (History Check: 17)
Geraine accepts the food as it comes with a "Thank you" and promptly completes his meal. Once finished he approaches Eduan, slightly bowing in a gesture of respect. "Thank you for your hospitality, and the fantastic meal. You are a terrific host! Most importantly, thank you for the opportunity to join in your expedition. I greatly look forward to our descent in the morning."
Unless otherwise provoked, Geraine will retire to his room for prayer and rest before the early day.
"He's my father. Eledan... is my father." Burn slowly retrieves a sheathed dagger from her belt and shows it to Klage. "This is all I have of him."
"I never knew him, but I have come to learn that he had a relationship with my mother, Annalise Jopfrey née Fletcher. The relationship ended before I was born. My mother died during my birth and I was raised by another. So Eledan doesn't know I even exist. Nonetheless, he is my only remaining blood relation. Until now, I had only rumors of his location guiding me. So I thank you for your confirmation." whether phantom or actual, Burn feels the eyes of the room focused on her, so she composes herself and steels her voice.
"I will lend whatever resources I possess, whatever skills I command, all of the force of will within me to contribute to the success of this expedition, but in return, I ask for assistance, should the opportunity be presented, in fulfilling my mission to be reunited with my father and delivering him from this pit." Burn stands, straightens her tunic, and turns to leave, once again feeling embarrassed, having shared so much in front of so many.
“So, how do you intend to pass the colony unnoticed? Or is the plan to kill the tentacle-faces?” Honestly, Radu thought the world would be better without those things. Brain eaters, slavers. Monsters with no qualms regarding making unrelated people into victims. He was surprised when Burn spoke. In part because she was more emotional, more talkative, in that short moment than on the whole of their travel there. In part because the person who he thought to be more alike on the entire journey had a surprisingly similar objective to his own. To find someone that all possible information pointed was on the underground frontier. What comes next? He thought to himself, rather sarcastically. We’ll find we are kindred? He definitely hoped not.
The Bloodhunter did not understand a thing about teleportation and Astral Plane, but it didn’t matter. As long as he found that thing he would be satisfied. It were Breda’s words that brought him back to reality. The food came from a common recipient, so he could wait for the others to see if there was any rapid acting poison.
“Sorry.” He says to the dwarven woman as she filled his plate. Radu wished he could articulate something better, after what happened in the kitchen, but knowing himself the more he tried the higher was the likelihood he would offend the woman further.
"I see." Klage says to Burn, eyeing the dagger with an intrigued expression. He reaches out as if to feel the blade, but then stops himself midway and chuckles. "Well then! I guess that leaves us with a common goal! Don't worry. We'll find him."
Klage is quick to answer Rosie's question. "Ah yes! It slipped my mind for a moment. Should we get separated, there is a designated rendezvous point. Some of the mages that got to the chasm earlier this month constructed an outpost down in the caves below the chasm's floor, specifically for adventurers like ourselves. My route to the bottom will take us there, where we can rest and resupply. If we are ever divided, make your way to the outpost, known as Wormward."
To Radu's second question, he seemed noticeably unprepared for that question. For a few seconds, he furrows his brow, reaching a hand up to his chin, before shaking his head andletting out a small laugh, seemingly directed at himself. "There are a couple of ways we could pass through the 'tentacle-faces' colony. Firstly, yes: we could kill them. One idea I had was luring some larger threat into the colony, such as a purple worm. Alternatively, as you know, illithids are not thoughtless brain eaters. They can be reasoned with. A deal of sorts may be possible."
Later during the meal, when Geraine approaches him to thank him for the hospitality, Klage has just finished his salad. "As do I, Reverend Geraine. Thank you for volunteering." he says before giving a friendly grin (a bit of leaf is stuck between his teeth).
After around half an hour of light conversation, everyone has finished eating, and most make their way upstairs. A few remain in the dining room, engaged in conversation, while a handful head off to other areas of the house. Within a few minutes, the house is quiet. Klage disappears into his bedroom (the one at the end of the hallway that Geraine's detect magic was unable to see through).
Notes:
Those of you who head to your sleeping quarters find that each room has a backpack at the foot of the bed. It contains: 50 feet of rope, a grappling hook, a hooded lantern, a tinderbox, 10 pitons, a vial of antitoxin, a hunting knife, a set of bluish-green-tinted goggles, a steel flask containing unidentified liquid, a waterskin with a filtration device attached to the opening, and a pack of 8 odd-looking ration portions (resembling dry bricks wrapped in wax paper). Most interestingly, you find an odd mask. The mask is made up of leather and rough waterproof cloth, and only covers the lower half of the face, leaving the eyes and above uncovered. Attached to the exterior are two circular filters connecting to tubes that reach inside the mask.
Burn and Radu have enough time to craft their items if so desired. They will be finished at around midnight.
Torwin's Ability Checks:
Mind Flayers (Illithids)
Grotesque, hive-minded, brain-eating humanoids from an unknown world, illithids are only known to live in the Underdark. They have potent psychic abilities.
Torwin knows there is more information, but he can't recall any of it at the moment.
Faerzress
Faerzress is a magical radiation that permeates the Underdark. It's concentration varies based on depth, growing denser and denser as one goes deeper. The radiation is harmless in small amounts. However, it will interfere with magic detection, rendering such abilities nearly useless. At deeper levels, it interferes even more heavily with magic. Conjuration and divination magic are the most effected, with teleportation and long distance telepathy being rendered impossible. Prolonged exposure to Faerzress can cause magic-based mutations in organisms. However, there have been no known cases of humanoids experiencing alteration due to Faerzress exposure.
Netherese Ruins
Netheril was an ancient civilization that occupied the region that would one day become the Anauroch Desert. The Netherese people were magically advanced, their entire society revolving around it. Candlekeep scholars have suggested that the Chasm was formed during the cataclysm that destroyed the Empire, and that whatever is in there may have been preserved from the fate that befell the rest of the civilization (that is, becoming a desert).
The sound of a bell awakens you all in the morning. Looking out of your windows, you can see that the Sun has not yet risen. The sky is a pale, bleak grey, save for gradually expanding orange glow on the horizon. You can hear others making their way into the hallway and down the stairs. The bell seems to be coming from outside, so that is where everyone is going.
Outside, it is noticeably cold compared to yesterday. A chilly breeze sweeps over you. Klage stands a ways from the house, facing you, the bell in his hands. About 10 feet behind him is the edge of the chasm: a vast, yawning scar in the surface of the planet. It's depths unknown. The chasm's bottom is invisible, obscured by strange clouds. At Klage's feet are about twenty odd devices resembling backpacks, with spools of wire attached to them. Nearby is a row of a similar number of small, grooved iron pillars, staked into the ground about five feet apart.
"Good morning to you all!" Klage begins, "The chasm awaits! Today, you shall witness its mysteries!" He stretches out his arms, gesturing to the chasm behind him, as if presenting it as some grand accomplishment. "At my feet sit the means by which we will scale the walls of the canyon. I discovered these particular contraptions in Icewind Dale. They are of gnomish make, so I am sure they are safe."
He grabs one of the backpack-like objects and straps it on. Turns out, it is more like a frontpack, the wire spool resting on Klage's upper torso. It looks kind of ridiculous. "So, to use it, you must first attach the end of the wire to an anchor of sorts. These pillars behind me fulfill such a purpose." As he speaks, he wraps wraps the end of the wire spool around one of the pillars, fastening it with a lock that you noticed was attached to the side of the wire spool. He takes a few steps back, loosening up about five feet of wire, holding it in his hand.
"Now, when we descend, we must take our time. If you just drop down, the wire might break when from reaching its limit so suddenly. Even if it doesn't you'll have a broken neck from the whiplash." You see that in his hand holding the wire, he actually holds a handle device that appears to have been constructed around the wire. "This here," he draws attention to the handle, "Is how you will control your rate of descent. By flipping the switch this way," he flips it and then walks backward from the pillar, only for the wire to go taut and stop him from moving further, "You allow yourself to stop descending. By flipping it this way," he moves backward again, the wire unraveling at a slow, limited rate, "You ensure that you descend at a slow, safe pace. By flipping the switch this way, you will make the wire unravel freely again. Now have at it!"
The other expedition members start making their way to the pile of climbing gear, strapping on the spools of wire. Bruno seems to have trouble buckling his on due to his size. Mat, the armored halfling seems a bit clueless in regards to how one actually puts on the device. Ryuma, the snarky dragonborn sneers at the device in disgust. Emilia and Angus have already donned theirs with no difficulty, and stand on either side of Klage. Klage watches you all, now standing a mere two feet from the drop, a patronizing smile on his face.
Wirepack
Wondrous item, common
This contraption is of gnomish make and consists of a spool containing 1 mile of wire that is strapped to the front of one's chest. As an action, the wearer may take one end of the wire and fasten it to an object. While fastened to an object, the wire unravels as the wearer moves. The wirepack also has a handle attached to the wire. On the handle is a three-way switch. As a bonus action, the wearer may flip the switch to change the properties of the wire. Center. The unraveling mechanism locks. The wearer can't move any further from the end of the wire than they were before flipping the switch. Left. The wire unravels freely. The wearer's movement from the end of the wire is unrestricted, and they fall as normal. This is the default orientation of the switch. Right. The wire unravels at a controlled rate. The wearer cannot move more than 40 feet from the end of the wire per round in any direction, including by falling. If the object the end of the wire is attached to weighs less than 1.5 times the wearer's weight and isn't fastened to the ground, it is pulled along as the wearer moves, causing the wearer to move as though the switch was in its "left" orientation. Attached to the spool itself is a second switch. When flipped, the wire will rewind at a rate of 120 feet per round. The wirepack is pulled in the direction of the end of the wire at this time. If a creature is wearing the wirepack while it rewinds, the rewinding is slowed to a rate of 60 feet per round. If rewinding leads the wirepack across horizontal surfaces, and the creature's walking speed is lower than 60 feet, the creature must make a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check each round or fall prone as they are dragged by the wirepack. Attempting to stand up while the wirepack is unraveling requires repeating the check.
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"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
After dinner, Fifi thanked Klage for his hospitality before making way back to the library. Fifi browsed the shelves for a few minutes to find VGtM and gingerly placed it in her pack. She turns as if to make way back to her room, before stopping at the doorway. She looks back into the library, "Well, Mr. Klage did say I have permission!" The satyr skips back into the room and pulls out several other books seemingly at random. She hums a soft, upbeat tune as she fills her backpack with 4 more books.
The following morning, Fifi watches Klage's demonstration with vigorous intent, her pointed ears raising in excitement. "What a splendid device!" the satyr exclaims as she attaches the frontpack to herself. She takes a moment to double check that all straps are secure and familiarizes herself with the flip switch's controls.
She notices Bruno struggling to equip the frontpack and walks over to the minotaur. "Let me help ya there big guy," she says with a chuckle, "You see this buckle here lengthens the straps..." Fifi continues her explanation as she helps fit the pack onto Bruno.
Before retiring to bed, Rosie would find a moment to see Burn. With a gentle smile and a friendly hand on her back, Rosie would hand over the pieces Burn had left behind in the Smithy. Retiring to her quarters, Rosie slept fitfully due to either excitement, concern, or anxiety (she couldn't tell which) on the eve of her first big adventure.
The next morning she quickly downs some food before making her way to the chasm. Rosie had no idea if she was afraid of heights; she couldn't ever remember being in a position to test it. And so she walks over to the edge and peers over. The only feeling she gets is that of immediate curiosity and excitement. With a grin, she dons her frontpack, then walks over to help the other halfling, Mat. "Why, hello there. Do you need some help? I'm sure you've got it figured out but let me just give you an extra set of hands to fit it to someone smaller like us."
The next morning Burn awoke before dawn, as she always did. But this morning, she laid in bed a for a bit and allowed herself to reflect on all that had happened to lead her to this moment. She thought back to the day she found 'Dad' in the woods after the attack all those years ago. She was only thirteen and was less than half the size of her father, but she managed to drag him out of the forest. Eventually, his weight was too much for her to bear, and she laid down next to him in the field of wildflowers next to their home and wailed as if her heart had been ripped out. Because it had.
Next, she thought back to discovering her mother's journal as she sorted through her father's things. Burn remembered reading about how excited she was to finally see and hold her baby and how kind Bearnard was. Her mother marveled at the fact that Bearnard was excited to meet the baby as well, despite knowing that the baby's father was another. Burn remembered how reading this felt almost as painful as finding her father's body. There were other memories that flooded in, but they were not as vivid, despite being more recent. Eventually, she got out of bed and began her morning routine.
Burn was one of the last of the group to make it to the chasm. Upoon arriving, she sought out Rosie and held out her newly forged cannonball for her to see. "We'll be able to take out a few of those tentacle faces with this." Burn presented a genuine smile and added, "I've got a lot of stuff like this in my 'wagon'. Soo..." She wanted to say so you should stay close but stopped herself, realizing how odd that might sound given this was her first adventure and that she just met Rosie. So Burn just left it at that and began putting on her repelling gear.
Geraine wakes a couple of hours before dawn and begins to go through the backpack, taking note of the contents. He then begins to pray to Amaunator:
"Amaunator, who art in the Eternal Sun, hallowed be thy name;
The sun doth shine; this light is thine, here on the material as it it doth on your Palace of the Four Suns.
Give us this day our daily spells, and empower my wisdom to judge those impartially,
as I deliver your light and harsh punishment onto those fairly judged;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver unto us from Shar;
For thine is the kingdom of the Sun, and the power of the light, and the glory of justice, now and forever.
Amen.”
Geraine picks up his belongings and promptly makes his way downstairs to the foyer. After a few moments he hears the bell coming from outside, and makes his way out to Klage.
"Good Morning Eduan." He greets Klage as he arrives; then patiently awaits the rest of the group to mass, individually greeting each person who joins in similar fashion.
Geraine quietly takes note at the instruction Klage provides, dawns the gear as instructed, and takes position alongside of Emilia while testing the switch on the handle to get a first-hand sense of its workings. Before they start down, he offers a prayer for the group:
"Immortal God, my keeper, I beg you to hear my prayer. Guide our hands so we may repel the evil forces. I request this of you in your eternal light, o god of gods. Bless us with your eternal favor as we descend into the darkness."
Radu had no idea about how Eduan intended to negotiate with a large colony of mindflayers. After all, what could they expedition offer that the brainsuckers couldn’t just take by force? No cost, no concessions. Hells, taking torture into consideration not even information was beyond reach. Either the elf had a useful secret or the expedition was meant to be sacrificed to the Ilithid, not to a fiend or dark god. Maybe the mindflayers follow a fiend or dark god, he thought before deciding that if that was the case there was nothing he could do at the moment.
He waited for the others to take two or three spoons before starting to eat his food. After finishing he went to his room in silence and worked on the Alchemist’s Fire. Back to the wall, crossbows at reach. After finishing, he slept in his armor, weapons at hand. By the morning he was happy to keep his silence, a single thought on his mind – maybe this is the day we die. Yes, optimistic as always. The belief only got stronger when Geraine started with his religious theatricality, uttering a prayer without asking if the group was fine with doing so. Not that the action caused any trouble, given that no one complained
Radu put the gear checking and double checking if everything seemed in place. Then he checked it again, pulled the cord between his two hands. Convinced there was nothing more he could do to verify if the thing was sabotaged or not he start to wait Klage’s signal to start the descent.
"My stepdad used to pray like that," Burn said as she took a few steps toward Geraine.
"Every morning he used to pray to Sune and ask her for opportunities to witness and appreciate the beauty in the world. Dad used to tell me about how my mother was beautiful like 'Lady Firehair' and that I would one day grow to look just like her as well." Burn blew a lock of curly, deep red hair from her eyes, revealing her expressionless face.
"He used to tell me that whenever we were forced to endure trials, we should always ask 'Lady Firehair' to reveal the beauty hidden in the situation, in order to endure with poise and not let the darkness, the ugliness win." Her voice intensified, and her fists clenched as she continued. "It didn't work. She never 'revealed' any beauty to me when my dad died. None of her followers came to shower me with comfort and love. I 'endured'' because that's all I could do."
More hair had fallen into her face, so she swiped it away as if each stand was an assault on her person. At this point, anyone who was still wondering why she was called 'Burn' had their question answered. Burn looked as if she might strike Geraine, but instead, she took a deep breath, calmed herself, and turned to walk away. "I don't doubt their existence, but you pray to gods that do not care about us." She said into the ground as she plodded off to search out a place to further calm herself.
"When the Netherese Empire fell after Karsus' Folly, many of Amaunator's follower's turned their back on him for not intervening. His servants left him, his churches and temples became barren, and the Yellow God eventually went silent to even his few devout remaining. Wild tales from travelers and explorers from the Astral plan even reported to had seen his floating corpse motionless as with other deities of old. However, the few of his faithful servants left on the material plane were still able to draw power from his light, even when dim, and through the sharing of that light and the tenants of our faith, he returned."
Geraine pauses for a couple of seconds before continuing.
"I tell you this because in my travels I have heard many similar doubts from others whom feel abandoned by their deity of choice. When Netheril fell, Amaunator did not intervene because he had no legal bases to do so, and as the God over law and order this was fundamental even at the risk of his own demise. Sometimes, there is a reason for why the Gods do, and do not. And, sometimes we are lucky enough to one day be made aware. Perhaps in a way not necessarily obvious to you yet, she did reveal to you some beauty, or perhaps the path to that beauty hidden for you alone to find. You "endured" because you felt as though you had no other choice, and I am sure you were tested to no avail while shown plenty of ugliness along the way. In the short time I have known you Burn, I have seen little other than beauty. Sure, you are a comely woman - fair skinned with locks of fire. But, and with much greater brilliance, you have also shown your inner beauty to some of us through ingenuity and thoughtfulness toward others. Those amazing little balls in the caravan ride here for example, that was not just an experiment now was it?"
Geraine leans back with the switch in the center to lock his position.
It would seem to me that Sune blessed you with something far more substantial than merely revealing some trivial beauty in a bad situation. Had you not taken the path you did, seen the dark and grotesque of this world, could you say would have turned out the same? No, I suspect the ride to Klage's manor would have continued to be uncomfortable for our group - and you may have been more apt to strike me just now instead of enduring with poise."
He flips the switch to the right and begins his controlled descent.
After assisting Bruno with his pack, Fifi took a quick look around to see if any others required help. She especially made sure to check on Torwin to make sure he was faring well. If everything went smoothly, the satyr hooked her line to the metal anchor and began her descent down the canyon.
Once everyone had strapped on their devices and secured them to an anchor, Klage gives a single clap of his hands to get everyone's attention. "Now, without further delay, let us begin. Onward down!" he shouts, and steps backwards off the edge of the cliff, beckoning for everyone else to do the same. Breda and Sheska watch from just outside the house, waving as you drop off the cliff one by one.
The wirepacks are designed so that the wearer faces the sides of the chasm as they descend. Otherwise, the wire from the spool upward would be cutting against your face. The expedition members are not all perfectly in sync as the lower themselves, with some several feet above you, while others further below. At the lowest point is Bruno, his weight causing him to descend at a slightly accelerated rate.
It feels unnatural and intimidating to drop slowly into the abyss at the mercy of a metal wire the width of a twine cord. Looking downward isn't much of a view, if a bit sickening. The bottom of the canyon is hidden by what seems to be a layer of swirling bluish-grey clouds. How far beneath the clouds does the bottom lie? You hear an occasional indiscernible echoing sound from the depths. You can't tell if it's a roar or a crash. Every now and then, small flying creatures the size of bats zip by your heads.
You hear Gerard, the green-robed dwarf cursing as he swats at something. "Stirges!" he shouts. "Filthy parasytes!" his shouts echo off the walls of the chasm's opposite end.
Mallory, the young sage from Candlekeep, had taken the anchor just to the left of Torwin's, and now descends by their side, watching her wire spool slowly unravel as they all move downward.
To Torwin's right is Lisana, the red-haired elf. "You two. You come from Candlekeep, correct?" she says. "Have they found the thief who killed Miirym?"
Geraine notices the number of flying creatures around them seems to be growing the lower they get. A firefly lands on his wirepack and spreads its wings, revealing its glowing abdomen.
As Radu descends, watching the wire spool unraveling, he feels something whip against his ear: a small animal flying by. A moment later, it plants itself on his shoulder. A hideous, orange-pink arthropodal abomination the size of his hand. As it lands, it makes a rapid clicking sound as it scuttles its way up towards Radu's face.
Burn sees the bats as they begin to attack the party and calls out, "Torwin! What do these things hate? or better yet what do they love?!?! Light? a sound? Anyone know?"
She slows her descent and starts rummaging around in her box, which is strapped around her shoulder and resting on her hip.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rosie keeps one hand on the level controlling the frontpack, and draws her rapier with the other. She tries to maneuver herself over towards Radu to assist with the stirge about to suck on his face.
Acrobatics check to try and maneuver over to Radu (ignore if it's impossible to do so, not sure how much we can move side to side with these things): 12
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Fifi hums a slow nearly melancholic tune, allowing the walls of the canyon to echo and reverberate her notes back to herself. Timing her hums with the echoes, it's as if the satyr is having a duet with herself. This continues for a while until the descending party is met by the flock of weird, insectoid like animals.
Having read VGtM, Fifi tries to recall any information on the creatures.
"It looks to be getting thicker with them below as we continue down below, better protect your faces best you can."
Geraine momentarily stops his descent to allow him to access his pack. He pulls a block of incense and his censer from his pack, careful to secure it again, and casts Produce Flame to light the incense, extinguishing the spell once lit. After, he flips the switch back into a controlled descent and continues down.
"Bugs tend to hate this stuff. During the Sun Feast every year we burn wagonloads of it and it seems to do quite well to keep them at bay. Hopefully these bigger ones dislike it equally.."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Silent like a shadow he started his way descent. Or rather, continued it. His entire life had been a spiral down since that night. Maybe it was because of this thought, but he had no fear whatsoever from the fall he knew to be lethal. For a time things went smoothly, but, of course, that changed fast for him. When the dwarf in green shouted parasite, Radu understood why the stirge had targeted him. Paraites tended to infest wounds, guided by the smell of blood and out of everyone there he should be by far the one who smelled of blood the most.
Not that fast, you little piece of shit. He thought as the creature moved into the direction of his face. With his right hand he drew one of his crossbows and shot it, as easily as a man can breathe. Normally a close target had an easier time avoiding ranged attacks, but his shots were not normal. He had been trained to exhaustion to react faster to a closer enemy. To the Blood Hunter a crossbow was as much of a melee weapon as it was a ranged one.
Before Radu could be sure if his offensive his mind drifted towards a single question – should he draw the other crossbow and use it too? He preferred to keep his hand on the cable, but the notion of letting the bat winged oversized mosquito stay over his shoulder was far from appealing.
Notes: Radu attacks the stirge with a hand crossbow (without disadvantage because of Crossbow Expert). In case his attack misses/fails to kill the thing, he will make use of his Crossbow Expert feature that allows him to spend his bonus action to attack with his other hand crossbow.
Attack:18 Potential Damage:7
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Rosie does think of another question for Klage. "For such a large group and no means of magical communication, what should we do if we get separated down there? With all the dangers you mentioned, I'd think that's a likely possibility."
Other than that, she eats her food quickly and is ready for bed: it has been a long few days of traveling after all.
Torwin was far too intimidated to participate in the questions. That and they had a serious lack of knowledge in general when it came to adventuring. While most of what seems to be his new companions ask many questions Torwin is only able to think internally the questions he wants to ask. They were particularly worried about illithid colony. Towin wracks their mind for information on them. (Nature check: 18) Torwin wasn't very keen to meet one let alone an entire colony of such beings. They desperately wanted to ask about them and hoped that someone would mention them... but no one did much to the lizardfolk's dismay. They listen to the arcane explanation of how they can leave and tries to piece together what they know of the phenomena known as faerzress concentration. Most importantly they try to reason if teleportation is blocked going out of but wonders if it can be used within the area down below. A safe spot located might be a base of safety and a place to teleport to when there is need. (Arcana Check: 22) They look utterly worried as they think of being trapped and illithids eating their brain but don't speak up as they try to distract themselves with other facts like what the Netherese ruins are. (History Check: 17)
Geraine accepts the food as it comes with a "Thank you" and promptly completes his meal. Once finished he approaches Eduan, slightly bowing in a gesture of respect. "Thank you for your hospitality, and the fantastic meal. You are a terrific host! Most importantly, thank you for the opportunity to join in your expedition. I greatly look forward to our descent in the morning."
Unless otherwise provoked, Geraine will retire to his room for prayer and rest before the early day.
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
"He's my father. Eledan... is my father." Burn slowly retrieves a sheathed dagger from her belt and shows it to Klage. "This is all I have of him."
"I never knew him, but I have come to learn that he had a relationship with my mother, Annalise Jopfrey née Fletcher. The relationship ended before I was born. My mother died during my birth and I was raised by another. So Eledan doesn't know I even exist. Nonetheless, he is my only remaining blood relation. Until now, I had only rumors of his location guiding me. So I thank you for your confirmation." whether phantom or actual, Burn feels the eyes of the room focused on her, so she composes herself and steels her voice.
"I will lend whatever resources I possess, whatever skills I command, all of the force of will within me to contribute to the success of this expedition, but in return, I ask for assistance, should the opportunity be presented, in fulfilling my mission to be reunited with my father and delivering him from this pit." Burn stands, straightens her tunic, and turns to leave, once again feeling embarrassed, having shared so much in front of so many.
“So, how do you intend to pass the colony unnoticed? Or is the plan to kill the tentacle-faces?” Honestly, Radu thought the world would be better without those things. Brain eaters, slavers. Monsters with no qualms regarding making unrelated people into victims. He was surprised when Burn spoke. In part because she was more emotional, more talkative, in that short moment than on the whole of their travel there. In part because the person who he thought to be more alike on the entire journey had a surprisingly similar objective to his own. To find someone that all possible information pointed was on the underground frontier. What comes next? He thought to himself, rather sarcastically. We’ll find we are kindred? He definitely hoped not.
The Bloodhunter did not understand a thing about teleportation and Astral Plane, but it didn’t matter. As long as he found that thing he would be satisfied. It were Breda’s words that brought him back to reality. The food came from a common recipient, so he could wait for the others to see if there was any rapid acting poison.
“Sorry.” He says to the dwarven woman as she filled his plate. Radu wished he could articulate something better, after what happened in the kitchen, but knowing himself the more he tried the higher was the likelihood he would offend the woman further.
"I see." Klage says to Burn, eyeing the dagger with an intrigued expression. He reaches out as if to feel the blade, but then stops himself midway and chuckles. "Well then! I guess that leaves us with a common goal! Don't worry. We'll find him."
Klage is quick to answer Rosie's question. "Ah yes! It slipped my mind for a moment. Should we get separated, there is a designated rendezvous point. Some of the mages that got to the chasm earlier this month constructed an outpost down in the caves below the chasm's floor, specifically for adventurers like ourselves. My route to the bottom will take us there, where we can rest and resupply. If we are ever divided, make your way to the outpost, known as Wormward."
To Radu's second question, he seemed noticeably unprepared for that question. For a few seconds, he furrows his brow, reaching a hand up to his chin, before shaking his head andletting out a small laugh, seemingly directed at himself. "There are a couple of ways we could pass through the 'tentacle-faces' colony. Firstly, yes: we could kill them. One idea I had was luring some larger threat into the colony, such as a purple worm. Alternatively, as you know, illithids are not thoughtless brain eaters. They can be reasoned with. A deal of sorts may be possible."
Later during the meal, when Geraine approaches him to thank him for the hospitality, Klage has just finished his salad. "As do I, Reverend Geraine. Thank you for volunteering." he says before giving a friendly grin (a bit of leaf is stuck between his teeth).
After around half an hour of light conversation, everyone has finished eating, and most make their way upstairs. A few remain in the dining room, engaged in conversation, while a handful head off to other areas of the house. Within a few minutes, the house is quiet. Klage disappears into his bedroom (the one at the end of the hallway that Geraine's detect magic was unable to see through).
Notes:
Those of you who head to your sleeping quarters find that each room has a backpack at the foot of the bed. It contains: 50 feet of rope, a grappling hook, a hooded lantern, a tinderbox, 10 pitons, a vial of antitoxin, a hunting knife, a set of bluish-green-tinted goggles, a steel flask containing unidentified liquid, a waterskin with a filtration device attached to the opening, and a pack of 8 odd-looking ration portions (resembling dry bricks wrapped in wax paper). Most interestingly, you find an odd mask. The mask is made up of leather and rough waterproof cloth, and only covers the lower half of the face, leaving the eyes and above uncovered. Attached to the exterior are two circular filters connecting to tubes that reach inside the mask.
Burn and Radu have enough time to craft their items if so desired. They will be finished at around midnight.
Torwin's Ability Checks:
Mind Flayers (Illithids)
Grotesque, hive-minded, brain-eating humanoids from an unknown world, illithids are only known to live in the Underdark. They have potent psychic abilities.
Torwin knows there is more information, but he can't recall any of it at the moment.
Faerzress
Faerzress is a magical radiation that permeates the Underdark. It's concentration varies based on depth, growing denser and denser as one goes deeper. The radiation is harmless in small amounts. However, it will interfere with magic detection, rendering such abilities nearly useless. At deeper levels, it interferes even more heavily with magic. Conjuration and divination magic are the most effected, with teleportation and long distance telepathy being rendered impossible. Prolonged exposure to Faerzress can cause magic-based mutations in organisms. However, there have been no known cases of humanoids experiencing alteration due to Faerzress exposure.
Netherese Ruins
Netheril was an ancient civilization that occupied the region that would one day become the Anauroch Desert. The Netherese people were magically advanced, their entire society revolving around it. Candlekeep scholars have suggested that the Chasm was formed during the cataclysm that destroyed the Empire, and that whatever is in there may have been preserved from the fate that befell the rest of the civilization (that is, becoming a desert).
The sound of a bell awakens you all in the morning. Looking out of your windows, you can see that the Sun has not yet risen. The sky is a pale, bleak grey, save for gradually expanding orange glow on the horizon. You can hear others making their way into the hallway and down the stairs. The bell seems to be coming from outside, so that is where everyone is going.
Outside, it is noticeably cold compared to yesterday. A chilly breeze sweeps over you. Klage stands a ways from the house, facing you, the bell in his hands. About 10 feet behind him is the edge of the chasm: a vast, yawning scar in the surface of the planet. It's depths unknown. The chasm's bottom is invisible, obscured by strange clouds. At Klage's feet are about twenty odd devices resembling backpacks, with spools of wire attached to them. Nearby is a row of a similar number of small, grooved iron pillars, staked into the ground about five feet apart.
"Good morning to you all!" Klage begins, "The chasm awaits! Today, you shall witness its mysteries!" He stretches out his arms, gesturing to the chasm behind him, as if presenting it as some grand accomplishment. "At my feet sit the means by which we will scale the walls of the canyon. I discovered these particular contraptions in Icewind Dale. They are of gnomish make, so I am sure they are safe."
He grabs one of the backpack-like objects and straps it on. Turns out, it is more like a frontpack, the wire spool resting on Klage's upper torso. It looks kind of ridiculous. "So, to use it, you must first attach the end of the wire to an anchor of sorts. These pillars behind me fulfill such a purpose." As he speaks, he wraps wraps the end of the wire spool around one of the pillars, fastening it with a lock that you noticed was attached to the side of the wire spool. He takes a few steps back, loosening up about five feet of wire, holding it in his hand.
"Now, when we descend, we must take our time. If you just drop down, the wire might break when from reaching its limit so suddenly. Even if it doesn't you'll have a broken neck from the whiplash." You see that in his hand holding the wire, he actually holds a handle device that appears to have been constructed around the wire. "This here," he draws attention to the handle, "Is how you will control your rate of descent. By flipping the switch this way," he flips it and then walks backward from the pillar, only for the wire to go taut and stop him from moving further, "You allow yourself to stop descending. By flipping it this way," he moves backward again, the wire unraveling at a slow, limited rate, "You ensure that you descend at a slow, safe pace. By flipping the switch this way, you will make the wire unravel freely again. Now have at it!"
The other expedition members start making their way to the pile of climbing gear, strapping on the spools of wire. Bruno seems to have trouble buckling his on due to his size. Mat, the armored halfling seems a bit clueless in regards to how one actually puts on the device. Ryuma, the snarky dragonborn sneers at the device in disgust. Emilia and Angus have already donned theirs with no difficulty, and stand on either side of Klage. Klage watches you all, now standing a mere two feet from the drop, a patronizing smile on his face.
Wirepack
Wondrous item, common
This contraption is of gnomish make and consists of a spool containing 1 mile of wire that is strapped to the front of one's chest. As an action, the wearer may take one end of the wire and fasten it to an object. While fastened to an object, the wire unravels as the wearer moves. The wirepack also has a handle attached to the wire. On the handle is a three-way switch. As a bonus action, the wearer may flip the switch to change the properties of the wire.
Center. The unraveling mechanism locks. The wearer can't move any further from the end of the wire than they were before flipping the switch.
Left. The wire unravels freely. The wearer's movement from the end of the wire is unrestricted, and they fall as normal. This is the default orientation of the switch.
Right. The wire unravels at a controlled rate. The wearer cannot move more than 40 feet from the end of the wire per round in any direction, including by falling.
If the object the end of the wire is attached to weighs less than 1.5 times the wearer's weight and isn't fastened to the ground, it is pulled along as the wearer moves, causing the wearer to move as though the switch was in its "left" orientation.
Attached to the spool itself is a second switch. When flipped, the wire will rewind at a rate of 120 feet per round. The wirepack is pulled in the direction of the end of the wire at this time. If a creature is wearing the wirepack while it rewinds, the rewinding is slowed to a rate of 60 feet per round. If rewinding leads the wirepack across horizontal surfaces, and the creature's walking speed is lower than 60 feet, the creature must make a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check each round or fall prone as they are dragged by the wirepack. Attempting to stand up while the wirepack is unraveling requires repeating the check.
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
After dinner, Fifi thanked Klage for his hospitality before making way back to the library. Fifi browsed the shelves for a few minutes to find VGtM and gingerly placed it in her pack. She turns as if to make way back to her room, before stopping at the doorway. She looks back into the library, "Well, Mr. Klage did say I have permission!" The satyr skips back into the room and pulls out several other books seemingly at random. She hums a soft, upbeat tune as she fills her backpack with 4 more books.
The following morning, Fifi watches Klage's demonstration with vigorous intent, her pointed ears raising in excitement. "What a splendid device!" the satyr exclaims as she attaches the frontpack to herself. She takes a moment to double check that all straps are secure and familiarizes herself with the flip switch's controls.
She notices Bruno struggling to equip the frontpack and walks over to the minotaur. "Let me help ya there big guy," she says with a chuckle, "You see this buckle here lengthens the straps..." Fifi continues her explanation as she helps fit the pack onto Bruno.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Before retiring to bed, Rosie would find a moment to see Burn. With a gentle smile and a friendly hand on her back, Rosie would hand over the pieces Burn had left behind in the Smithy. Retiring to her quarters, Rosie slept fitfully due to either excitement, concern, or anxiety (she couldn't tell which) on the eve of her first big adventure.
The next morning she quickly downs some food before making her way to the chasm. Rosie had no idea if she was afraid of heights; she couldn't ever remember being in a position to test it. And so she walks over to the edge and peers over. The only feeling she gets is that of immediate curiosity and excitement. With a grin, she dons her frontpack, then walks over to help the other halfling, Mat. "Why, hello there. Do you need some help? I'm sure you've got it figured out but let me just give you an extra set of hands to fit it to someone smaller like us."
The next morning Burn awoke before dawn, as she always did. But this morning, she laid in bed a for a bit and allowed herself to reflect on all that had happened to lead her to this moment. She thought back to the day she found 'Dad' in the woods after the attack all those years ago. She was only thirteen and was less than half the size of her father, but she managed to drag him out of the forest. Eventually, his weight was too much for her to bear, and she laid down next to him in the field of wildflowers next to their home and wailed as if her heart had been ripped out. Because it had.
Next, she thought back to discovering her mother's journal as she sorted through her father's things. Burn remembered reading about how excited she was to finally see and hold her baby and how kind Bearnard was. Her mother marveled at the fact that Bearnard was excited to meet the baby as well, despite knowing that the baby's father was another. Burn remembered how reading this felt almost as painful as finding her father's body. There were other memories that flooded in, but they were not as vivid, despite being more recent. Eventually, she got out of bed and began her morning routine.
Burn was one of the last of the group to make it to the chasm. Upoon arriving, she sought out Rosie and held out her newly forged cannonball for her to see. "We'll be able to take out a few of those tentacle faces with this." Burn presented a genuine smile and added, "I've got a lot of stuff like this in my 'wagon'. Soo..." She wanted to say so you should stay close but stopped herself, realizing how odd that might sound given this was her first adventure and that she just met Rosie. So Burn just left it at that and began putting on her repelling gear.
Geraine wakes a couple of hours before dawn and begins to go through the backpack, taking note of the contents. He then begins to pray to Amaunator:
Geraine picks up his belongings and promptly makes his way downstairs to the foyer. After a few moments he hears the bell coming from outside, and makes his way out to Klage.
"Good Morning Eduan." He greets Klage as he arrives; then patiently awaits the rest of the group to mass, individually greeting each person who joins in similar fashion.
Geraine quietly takes note at the instruction Klage provides, dawns the gear as instructed, and takes position alongside of Emilia while testing the switch on the handle to get a first-hand sense of its workings. Before they start down, he offers a prayer for the group:
"Immortal God, my keeper, I beg you to hear my prayer. Guide our hands so we may repel the evil forces. I request this of you in your eternal light, o god of gods. Bless us with your eternal favor as we descend into the darkness."
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
Radu had no idea about how Eduan intended to negotiate with a large colony of mindflayers. After all, what could they expedition offer that the brainsuckers couldn’t just take by force? No cost, no concessions. Hells, taking torture into consideration not even information was beyond reach. Either the elf had a useful secret or the expedition was meant to be sacrificed to the Ilithid, not to a fiend or dark god. Maybe the mindflayers follow a fiend or dark god, he thought before deciding that if that was the case there was nothing he could do at the moment.
He waited for the others to take two or three spoons before starting to eat his food. After finishing he went to his room in silence and worked on the Alchemist’s Fire. Back to the wall, crossbows at reach. After finishing, he slept in his armor, weapons at hand. By the morning he was happy to keep his silence, a single thought on his mind – maybe this is the day we die. Yes, optimistic as always. The belief only got stronger when Geraine started with his religious theatricality, uttering a prayer without asking if the group was fine with doing so. Not that the action caused any trouble, given that no one complained
Radu put the gear checking and double checking if everything seemed in place. Then he checked it again, pulled the cord between his two hands. Convinced there was nothing more he could do to verify if the thing was sabotaged or not he start to wait Klage’s signal to start the descent.
"My stepdad used to pray like that," Burn said as she took a few steps toward Geraine.
"Every morning he used to pray to Sune and ask her for opportunities to witness and appreciate the beauty in the world. Dad used to tell me about how my mother was beautiful like 'Lady Firehair' and that I would one day grow to look just like her as well." Burn blew a lock of curly, deep red hair from her eyes, revealing her expressionless face.
"He used to tell me that whenever we were forced to endure trials, we should always ask 'Lady Firehair' to reveal the beauty hidden in the situation, in order to endure with poise and not let the darkness, the ugliness win." Her voice intensified, and her fists clenched as she continued. "It didn't work. She never 'revealed' any beauty to me when my dad died. None of her followers came to shower me with comfort and love. I 'endured'' because that's all I could do."
More hair had fallen into her face, so she swiped it away as if each stand was an assault on her person. At this point, anyone who was still wondering why she was called 'Burn' had their question answered. Burn looked as if she might strike Geraine, but instead, she took a deep breath, calmed herself, and turned to walk away. "I don't doubt their existence, but you pray to gods that do not care about us." She said into the ground as she plodded off to search out a place to further calm herself.
Geraine Smiles softly to Burn.
"When the Netherese Empire fell after Karsus' Folly, many of Amaunator's follower's turned their back on him for not intervening. His servants left him, his churches and temples became barren, and the Yellow God eventually went silent to even his few devout remaining. Wild tales from travelers and explorers from the Astral plan even reported to had seen his floating corpse motionless as with other deities of old. However, the few of his faithful servants left on the material plane were still able to draw power from his light, even when dim, and through the sharing of that light and the tenants of our faith, he returned."
Geraine pauses for a couple of seconds before continuing.
"I tell you this because in my travels I have heard many similar doubts from others whom feel abandoned by their deity of choice. When Netheril fell, Amaunator did not intervene because he had no legal bases to do so, and as the God over law and order this was fundamental even at the risk of his own demise. Sometimes, there is a reason for why the Gods do, and do not. And, sometimes we are lucky enough to one day be made aware. Perhaps in a way not necessarily obvious to you yet, she did reveal to you some beauty, or perhaps the path to that beauty hidden for you alone to find. You "endured" because you felt as though you had no other choice, and I am sure you were tested to no avail while shown plenty of ugliness along the way. In the short time I have known you Burn, I have seen little other than beauty. Sure, you are a comely woman - fair skinned with locks of fire. But, and with much greater brilliance, you have also shown your inner beauty to some of us through ingenuity and thoughtfulness toward others. Those amazing little balls in the caravan ride here for example, that was not just an experiment now was it?"
Geraine leans back with the switch in the center to lock his position.
It would seem to me that Sune blessed you with something far more substantial than merely revealing some trivial beauty in a bad situation. Had you not taken the path you did, seen the dark and grotesque of this world, could you say would have turned out the same? No, I suspect the ride to Klage's manor would have continued to be uncomfortable for our group - and you may have been more apt to strike me just now instead of enduring with poise."
He flips the switch to the right and begins his controlled descent.
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
After assisting Bruno with his pack, Fifi took a quick look around to see if any others required help. She especially made sure to check on Torwin to make sure he was faring well. If everything went smoothly, the satyr hooked her line to the metal anchor and began her descent down the canyon.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Once everyone had strapped on their devices and secured them to an anchor, Klage gives a single clap of his hands to get everyone's attention. "Now, without further delay, let us begin. Onward down!" he shouts, and steps backwards off the edge of the cliff, beckoning for everyone else to do the same. Breda and Sheska watch from just outside the house, waving as you drop off the cliff one by one.
The wirepacks are designed so that the wearer faces the sides of the chasm as they descend. Otherwise, the wire from the spool upward would be cutting against your face. The expedition members are not all perfectly in sync as the lower themselves, with some several feet above you, while others further below. At the lowest point is Bruno, his weight causing him to descend at a slightly accelerated rate.
It feels unnatural and intimidating to drop slowly into the abyss at the mercy of a metal wire the width of a twine cord. Looking downward isn't much of a view, if a bit sickening. The bottom of the canyon is hidden by what seems to be a layer of swirling bluish-grey clouds. How far beneath the clouds does the bottom lie? You hear an occasional indiscernible echoing sound from the depths. You can't tell if it's a roar or a crash. Every now and then, small flying creatures the size of bats zip by your heads.
You hear Gerard, the green-robed dwarf cursing as he swats at something. "Stirges!" he shouts. "Filthy parasytes!" his shouts echo off the walls of the chasm's opposite end.
Mallory, the young sage from Candlekeep, had taken the anchor just to the left of Torwin's, and now descends by their side, watching her wire spool slowly unravel as they all move downward.
To Torwin's right is Lisana, the red-haired elf. "You two. You come from Candlekeep, correct?" she says. "Have they found the thief who killed Miirym?"
Geraine notices the number of flying creatures around them seems to be growing the lower they get. A firefly lands on his wirepack and spreads its wings, revealing its glowing abdomen.
As Radu descends, watching the wire spool unraveling, he feels something whip against his ear: a small animal flying by. A moment later, it plants itself on his shoulder. A hideous, orange-pink arthropodal abomination the size of his hand. As it lands, it makes a rapid clicking sound as it scuttles its way up towards Radu's face.
"Remind yourself that overconfidence is a slow and insidious killer."
Burn sees the bats as they begin to attack the party and calls out, "Torwin! What do these things hate? or better yet what do they love?!?! Light? a sound? Anyone know?"
She slows her descent and starts rummaging around in her box, which is strapped around her shoulder and resting on her hip.
Rosie keeps one hand on the level controlling the frontpack, and draws her rapier with the other. She tries to maneuver herself over towards Radu to assist with the stirge about to suck on his face.
Acrobatics check to try and maneuver over to Radu (ignore if it's impossible to do so, not sure how much we can move side to side with these things): 12
Fifi hums a slow nearly melancholic tune, allowing the walls of the canyon to echo and reverberate her notes back to herself. Timing her hums with the echoes, it's as if the satyr is having a duet with herself. This continues for a while until the descending party is met by the flock of weird, insectoid like animals.
Having read VGtM, Fifi tries to recall any information on the creatures.
History Check: 13
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
"It looks to be getting thicker with them below as we continue down below, better protect your faces best you can."
Geraine momentarily stops his descent to allow him to access his pack. He pulls a block of incense and his censer from his pack, careful to secure it again, and casts Produce Flame to light the incense, extinguishing the spell once lit. After, he flips the switch back into a controlled descent and continues down.
"Bugs tend to hate this stuff. During the Sun Feast every year we burn wagonloads of it and it seems to do quite well to keep them at bay. Hopefully these bigger ones dislike it equally.."
Horkur Beren in Tending the Garden
Geraine Lucineous in Onward Down
Silent like a shadow he started his way descent. Or rather, continued it. His entire life had been a spiral down since that night. Maybe it was because of this thought, but he had no fear whatsoever from the fall he knew to be lethal. For a time things went smoothly, but, of course, that changed fast for him. When the dwarf in green shouted parasite, Radu understood why the stirge had targeted him. Paraites tended to infest wounds, guided by the smell of blood and out of everyone there he should be by far the one who smelled of blood the most.
Not that fast, you little piece of shit. He thought as the creature moved into the direction of his face. With his right hand he drew one of his crossbows and shot it, as easily as a man can breathe. Normally a close target had an easier time avoiding ranged attacks, but his shots were not normal. He had been trained to exhaustion to react faster to a closer enemy. To the Blood Hunter a crossbow was as much of a melee weapon as it was a ranged one.
Before Radu could be sure if his offensive his mind drifted towards a single question – should he draw the other crossbow and use it too? He preferred to keep his hand on the cable, but the notion of letting the bat winged oversized mosquito stay over his shoulder was far from appealing.
Notes: Radu attacks the stirge with a hand crossbow (without disadvantage because of Crossbow Expert). In case his attack misses/fails to kill the thing, he will make use of his Crossbow Expert feature that allows him to spend his bonus action to attack with his other hand crossbow.
Attack: 18
Potential Damage: 7