... Whatever struck the mountainside tumbled down toward the shore, leaving a furrow of melted rock.
Noticing the large gash in the Spindle's side, Rel queries, "Do you think it would be useful to explore there, at the place where whatever-it-was finally came to rest? Anything big enough to cause that crater might have some bits and pieces that survived the impact..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zaius looks toward the scar that Roy and Rel point out “Looks as good as place to start as any, and better than most of the others.” He eyes the caves dotting the spindle with suspicion. He hitches up his belt, making sure his scimitar is close at hand and follows Roy toward the scar. He keeps one eye open for any strange rocks and the other for threats.
You're easily able to follow the trail gouged in the shore, and at the end, can pinpoint where the meteorite came to rest from the pattern of debris. Unfortunately, the rock itself is missing. However, Zaius notices a single set of footprints leading from the site toward a large cave mouth at the base of the Spindle, some 250 feet away.
“Someone or something traveled this way.”Zaius points out the footprints with Rel and helps him follow them across the rocky terrain. “Not sure who or what would be in the forsaken place surrounded by beholders.” Zaius glances around nervously as they follow the tracks.
[Oh, hey, I forgot to call it out: since this is a new episode, you've all leveled up to level 4! And had plenty of days to rest so you're all at full hit points etc]
You follow the tracks, which Rel thinks were made by some kind of giant, into the mouth of the cave. After a short distance, the fifteen-foot-wide passage opens into a large, rough chamber with a sunken floor. A misshapen, vaguely oblong lump of metal sits in the middle of the chamber. A sliver of light streaming down on it from a hole in the cavern's ceiling gives it a dark-blue sheen. Hovering near the meteorite are two identical creatures, each one a slimy green orb with a large central eye and four writhing eyestalks. Gathered around them are half a dozen smaller creatures of similar shape, each no bigger than a grapefruit. Sitting on a five-foot-high shelf overlooking the chamber is a massive, yellow-skinned ogre with one cyclopean eye. The ogre yawns and blinks slowly, appearing rather tired.
The larger creatures' eyestalks move animatedly, as if they're having a silent conversation. The smaller creatures look on, appearing nervous.
[As usual I've scattered you fairly randomly near where you entered the cave from the north-west passage; feel free to shuffle your exact positions. Are you approaching stealthily, or do you announce your presence?]
(Erma done leveling up, took the Telekinetic feat)
She will be on the east side and keeping both a very keen eye on the cyclops and also keepinh oyt of sight of it. Like making sure she can see it's knee or something.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(All leveled up with Dex increases)
Zaius creeps up by the rock to his front, taking in the chamber and attempting to remain unseen. “Jackpot, there it is. Bet that is the chunk of rock we are looking for. But what are those things surrounding it? Look a little small to be beholders don’t they? And mind the big fella up top.”Nature to identify creatures: 16.
.He looks over at the others “We can rush in and take it, or should we try to sneak it away? Whadda think, Cap’n?”
Roy recognises the larger creatures as spectators, a form of lesser beholder often summoned by magic by its greater kin to be employed as guards; it's a little unusual to see two at the same time not trying to kill each other. The smaller ones are gazers, which seem to hang arounds other beholders almost like pets.
[It seems like you're starting out trying not to be noticed, let's make a quick group stealth check to make sure you're not spotted]
The creatures are too engrossed by their telepathic conversation to have noticed you. However as you watch they gradually become more and more agitated, to the point that you think "argument" is probably a better word for it, and they even start to punctuate their point with occasional spoken words, mostly in a language or languages that you don't understand, but you pick up the occasional word that sounds like the Common for "duty", "guard", "deserve", and "sky-stone", the latter probably referring to the meteorite. The smaller creatures cower, like they think violence could erupt, and certainly neither side is giving any ground; for all you know they could be locked in this impasse for weeks.
“Guards” Zaius grumbles “The beholders are interested enough in this chunk of rock to put something watching it. Do you think we can distract them? Pull their attention away from the rock and then swoop in and take it?” Zaius eyes the group of creatures cautiously. “We can probably take them in a fight if we charge in, but it would be messy.”
Noticing the large gash in the Spindle's side, Rel queries, "Do you think it would be useful to explore there, at the place where whatever-it-was finally came to rest? Anything big enough to cause that crater might have some bits and pieces that survived the impact..."
Scanning the landscape Roy sees the scar, "Like I said, we'll know it when we see it" and steps off in its direction.
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard
Zaius looks toward the scar that Roy and Rel point out “Looks as good as place to start as any, and better than most of the others.” He eyes the caves dotting the spindle with suspicion. He hitches up his belt, making sure his scimitar is close at hand and follows Roy toward the scar. He keeps one eye open for any strange rocks and the other for threats.
Perception: 17.
.
[Apologies for the delay!]
You're easily able to follow the trail gouged in the shore, and at the end, can pinpoint where the meteorite came to rest from the pattern of debris. Unfortunately, the rock itself is missing. However, Zaius notices a single set of footprints leading from the site toward a large cave mouth at the base of the Spindle, some 250 feet away.
Rel says, "Footprints... well at least we know it's not a beholder, they don't have feet... I think."
[It's easy enough to follow the tracks, assuming that's what you want to do, but someone give me a quick Wisdom (Survival) check anyway]
Rel Survival 20 if help is offered, second roll: 14
(On vacation until July 5th, responses may be spotty so please bot Roy if my lack of a timely response is holding up progress)
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard
“Someone or something traveled this way.” Zaius points out the footprints with Rel and helps him follow them across the rocky terrain. “Not sure who or what would be in the forsaken place surrounded by beholders.” Zaius glances around nervously as they follow the tracks.
[Oh, hey, I forgot to call it out: since this is a new episode, you've all leveled up to level 4! And had plenty of days to rest so you're all at full hit points etc]
You follow the tracks, which Rel thinks were made by some kind of giant, into the mouth of the cave. After a short distance, the fifteen-foot-wide passage opens into a large, rough chamber with a sunken floor. A misshapen, vaguely oblong lump of metal sits in the middle of the chamber. A sliver of light streaming down on it from a hole in the cavern's ceiling gives it a dark-blue sheen. Hovering near the meteorite are two identical creatures, each one a slimy green orb with a large central eye and four writhing eyestalks. Gathered around them are half a dozen smaller creatures of similar shape, each no bigger than a grapefruit. Sitting on a five-foot-high shelf overlooking the chamber is a massive, yellow-skinned ogre with one cyclopean eye. The ogre yawns and blinks slowly, appearing rather tired.
The larger creatures' eyestalks move animatedly, as if they're having a silent conversation. The smaller creatures look on, appearing nervous.
[As usual I've scattered you fairly randomly near where you entered the cave from the north-west passage; feel free to shuffle your exact positions. Are you approaching stealthily, or do you announce your presence?]
(Erma done leveling up, took the Telekinetic feat)
She will be on the east side and keeping both a very keen eye on the cyclops and also keepinh oyt of sight of it. Like making sure she can see it's knee or something.
(All leveled up with Dex increases)
Zaius creeps up by the rock to his front, taking in the chamber and attempting to remain unseen. “Jackpot, there it is. Bet that is the chunk of rock we are looking for. But what are those things surrounding it? Look a little small to be beholders don’t they? And mind the big fella up top.” Nature to identify creatures: 16.
.He looks over at the others “We can rush in and take it, or should we try to sneak it away? Whadda think, Cap’n?”
(Roy leveled up INT and WIS increase)
Roy tries to remember anything he can about different types of Beholders.
Arcana: 18
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard
Roy recognises the larger creatures as spectators, a form of lesser beholder often summoned by magic by its greater kin to be employed as guards; it's a little unusual to see two at the same time not trying to kill each other. The smaller ones are gazers, which seem to hang arounds other beholders almost like pets.
[It seems like you're starting out trying not to be noticed, let's make a quick group stealth check to make sure you're not spotted]
Zaius stealth: 16.
.
Erma stealth check with disadvantage: 18
Roy Stealth: 21
Oriovar - Wood Elf Cleric (1) - Sword Coast Campaign
Roy Quigley - Human Artificer (1) - Karrion's Spelljammer Academy Starboard
The creatures are too engrossed by their telepathic conversation to have noticed you. However as you watch they gradually become more and more agitated, to the point that you think "argument" is probably a better word for it, and they even start to punctuate their point with occasional spoken words, mostly in a language or languages that you don't understand, but you pick up the occasional word that sounds like the Common for "duty", "guard", "deserve", and "sky-stone", the latter probably referring to the meteorite. The smaller creatures cower, like they think violence could erupt, and certainly neither side is giving any ground; for all you know they could be locked in this impasse for weeks.
“Guards” Zaius grumbles “The beholders are interested enough in this chunk of rock to put something watching it. Do you think we can distract them? Pull their attention away from the rock and then swoop in and take it?” Zaius eyes the group of creatures cautiously. “We can probably take them in a fight if we charge in, but it would be messy.”
Erma puts a finger across her lips to indicate silence. She steps away 20 feet and quietly summons an invisible mage hand.
She returns to the previous spot and guides it to poke the closest thing in the eye.