Solomona makes a point of stopping within the entrance chamber, to brush the dust off his bare feet, straighten his robe, wipe his face, etc. All the while, he tries to take in as much as he can sense: he glances to the hallway beyond, the suits of armor and statues; he sniffs the air to detect whether there is the smell of food or not; and he tries to read the body language of this Talis woman, in case there is any deception. So far he thinks everything is legit, but there's always the possibility that he is being led into a trap...
Yeah, thanks! Please, lead the way...
Perception: 23 Insight: 15
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Solomona does smell food. And it smells pretty good. Fresh bread and a meat stew of some sort. Maybe this venison Talis mentioned.
He also notes that Talis is polite but not warm. She's guarded and is clearly looking for something and while she holds herself as someone with power and authority, she doesn't seem agitated or on edge.
She nods and steps into the hallway, and starts heading towards a doorway in the northeast corner of the room.
Marrin is happy to run the clock down, but she does want to go down fighting.
She picks up a few dry branches, mostly kindling sized, from the ground and some pinecones and leaves as she goes before ascending her tree for the night. On her branch, she will set about ripping her most flammable, and sadly highest thread count, tunic into thin strips. She'll then wrap those around the shafts of her bolts.
Then she'll prepare her little pile of fire wood in a tidy pile that won't just roll off the branch.
Jan considers descending, although she isn't quite sure how long she can fly, she doesn't feel it ebbing just yet (10 min duration). Descending means dropping among the trees where the drakes and trolls may be waiting. She clock the location of the flying beasts before dismissing K, then recalling the invisible elemental them into her invisible arms. She briefs K on the goings on, gives them a heading and let's K get a good hold on her ring before shunting herself into it.
((Invisibility maintained, K in raven form has 60ft move speed, so is dashing 120ft per turn away from the area.))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
((Time is passing more quickly now as everyone is out of initiative -- Dex/Acrobatics check from Jan -- it's a bit of a delicate aerial maneuver the pair have not tried before))
Avaria smiles at Hammerdasher's attempt at humor as they had obviously gotten lost in the woods. "Yes, finding out more about this chest would be ideal and as much as it pains me to leave them to their own devices, you're right, they can handle themselves." Ava sighs, "But walking into that house, what if it is a trap?"
Turning to Vonth to address his questions, she is unsure what all to say, "Honestly? We don't know much about it. And I have no idea what these people intentions are, but the fact that they fought us first? Doesn't sit well."
Marrin settles in to her makeshift perch for the night, safe from most anything that could be wandering through the woods at night.
-----------------------------------------
Avaria and Vonth hear the odd twigs break while they're out in the woods and the sound of swooshing up above, like that of very large birds. But nothing sounds particularly close to the group. They have time to decide what they want to do next.
----------------------------------------
Talis leads Solomona through the next doorway past the stairs. Solomona feels like eyes are watching him. When he looks around, he sees the odd kobold face looking at him through doorways and down the stairs. But those aren't the eyes he felt. He looks to the two demonic looking statues and can't help shake the feeling that they're watching him.
Through the doorway is another hallway with doors at either end and another doorway in the middle on the south side (the same side as the door he's going through). To the left, Talis leads him through one of the end doorways straight into the kitchen.
This spacious kitchen is a hive of activity. A large stove against one wall contains a roaring fire with a bubbling stew pot and shanks of venison suspended above it. Strings of onions and herbs crisscross the ceiling like webs above cluttered tables. Preparing meals are four humans: two men and two women. All are within arm’s reach of boiling water, cleavers, and knives, and their stares make it quite clear they did not expect nor appreciate the intrusion.
In one corner, southwest, a set of stairs leads down to what must be a cellar. In another corner, northwest, another set of stairs leads to the second floor.
Four windows and a doorway rest in the north wall. Dwindling sunlight shows the forest beyond.
"Stop your gawking and get our guest some stew and fresh bread and," she looks back at Solomona and his rounded belly," and make the portions extra large."
She then guides Solomona to one end of the large worktables where a couple of stools sit next to a relatively clear corner of the table.
"Now, why don't you tell me about your trip here and just as importantly, please tell me you haven't found a way to open the chest yet."
Solomona does note a smudged hand print on the wall next to another door, one on the southern wall. The print looks like it might be from blood.
Jan conveys the need for urgency and secrecy to K' and the duo manage the ring exchange without incidence. Jan finds herself comfortable reclining on the cushions of her inner sanctum, while looking across the space at the steel blue chest.
"What the hells are you hiding?" Jan mutters, looking at the chest, giving a ragged exhalation as she wonders what has befallen her friends. Whatever the chest contains, it's too important but anyone who wants it to get ahold of it. They seemingly can't detect it here, but storing it in her sanctum isn't a long term solution. But where can she leave it that Soren's friends can't get it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
DM:Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Solomona sits down, hunches over the bowl of stew, and takes a long appreciative breath in. Ah, choice bro! Far out, that smells good.
He takes a few generous mouthfuls, and then tears a chuck of bread and dips it deep into the broth... again and again. Oooh, this is good! Do you guys bake here too? He chews on the moist bread, savouring the flavour, and enjoys a few more spoons of the stew, before wiping his face and looking up at Talis.
The trip here? It was wild! I'd never teleported before!He waggles the spoon at her. You know, it's kinda like being grabbed by your belly button, except from behind and being yoinked a few feet, except when its done you realise you are way more than a few feet from where you started. He chuckles and returns to the bowl. With his mouth full of hot stew he continues: Kinda wade we a wit wizzy, to we twufful.Puff Puff.Can't iwagine it's good for the system though.
He returns to the bowl, making sounds of enjoyment, and taking a breath every so often to compliment the chefs and thank the hostess...
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Avaria nods at Vonth's comment. "You're right, let's go." She then leads the group back towards the house, keeping her eyes open for anything of concern. She worries about her friends, but knows there is nothing that can be done about it now, she has no idea where they are or even where the four armed troll is. Best to figure out why the hell they were brought here.
The sun has set and darkness approaches quickly. It seems earlier than it should be to Avaria, but to Vonth it's right. The mountains raise the horizon much higher than the flat forested ground Avaria grew up with.
When the approach the front of the lodge now, the doors are shut, but lights shine out from all of the rooms, shadows passing by some of them. Heavy scratching and the sounds of dry twigs snapping and cracking echo down from the roof of the lodge. However, no one can see what's making the noise from the ground.
Anyone going up the stairs finds the front door locked.
In the kitchen, Talis frowns a little as Solomona talks of little other than the food.
"I suppose you're fairly clever," Talis muses. "You've gotten a meal without divulging anything. Is that by intent, or because you don't know anything?"
Talis looks around. She ignores the surly cooks, but she does spot a kobold peeking through a doorway.
"You, find the bard and bring him." Talis orders.
The kobold yips and runs away.
Turning back to Solomona she asks "Now, I've been a gracious host. And there's much more if you're still hungry. But please just answer the question. Where's the chest? And have you opened it?"
Marrin finds the evening noises soothing. And while she's not exactly warm in her nest, she isn't uncomfortable either. The darkness grows without sign of anything menacing.
Returning to the manor house, Vonth and Avaria move with caution, ready for trouble. Nothing reveals itself as they approach, but as they reach the stairs to the front door a sound drifts down from above—scratching, the snapping of twigs.
Vonth pauses and glances up toward the roof.
Whatever swooped at them earlier? Maybe.
He pushes the thought aside. Panic is useless.
Taking the steps two at a time, Vonth reaches the door and tries the handle immediately.
“Locked,” he growls, loud enough for Avaria to hear. “I’ll knock.”
He raises the pommel of his sword and raps on the door with four heavy blows.
He is not trying to knock the door down. He is also not not trying to knock the door down.
Solomona pauses, his spoon hovering halfway to his mouth. He seems to recognise the edge in her patience and decides not to stretch it... much.
Alright, fair enough. I can answer straight. He gestures to himself. Nope. I have not opened the chest.
The answers sits there a moment while Sol takes another mouthful of stew. After swallowing, he wipes his mouth and adds thoughtfully: Now... someone else might have. Hard to say. I only joined them yesterday, eh. He scratches his chin thoughtfully. But if it had been opened, and there was something interesting inside... there’s a good chance I might’ve noticed.
His eyes lift back to Talis. So what sort of thing are we talking about?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Talis raises an eyebrow at Solomona and actually smiles.
"If you have to ask, then you haven't seen anything that is in the chest." Talis says.
She pauses, thinking. Before she can speak again, the kobold returns with Soren in tow. The half-elf bard looks to have changed clothing and seems a bit better than the state Vonth had left him in before.
"This one says he just joined the group yesterday. Is that true?" Talis asks.
"Yeah, he was one of the convicts in the prison," Soren says. "I suggest you keep an eye on the silverware. He doesn't know anything useful. Not sure he knows anything of any interest."
Talis opens her mouth to say more but is interrupted by hard knocking coming from the direction of the main entrance. She nods at the kobold and gestures towards the sound.
The kobold darts off.
"Tell me," Talis says, returning her attention to Solomona. "What are your thoughts on dragons?"
The echoes of Vonth's hard knocks on the door have barely quieted before Avaria spots the curtain in the window to the left of the front doors move and some eyes, just above the sill peer out. the curtain moves again and a moment later the group can hear the door being unlocked.
The door opens and a kobold sticks his head out to look at them.
"Yous with the fat man, rights?" The kobold asks. He nods to himself, knowing the answer already.
The door swings open revealing a small entry way. The group sees that just inside the front door , the wall is studded with pegs with two benches below for cloaks and boots. A set of rusty spears rests in one corner, held in the claw of a small drake statue. Avaria spots arrow slits in the eastern wall.
"Leaves yours gear here then come," The kobold says.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Aue! I like what you've done with the place...
Solomona makes a point of stopping within the entrance chamber, to brush the dust off his bare feet, straighten his robe, wipe his face, etc. All the while, he tries to take in as much as he can sense: he glances to the hallway beyond, the suits of armor and statues; he sniffs the air to detect whether there is the smell of food or not; and he tries to read the body language of this Talis woman, in case there is any deception. So far he thinks everything is legit, but there's always the possibility that he is being led into a trap...
Yeah, thanks! Please, lead the way...
Perception: 23
Insight: 15
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Vonth...
Vonth plants his feet and looks from Avaria to Geffroi to Hammerdasher and then back across them all.
“What chest?” he asks.
The thing seems to be at the center of everything that is happening, yet it is the first time he has heard of it.
“Why is it important enough that Soren would betray you all for it?”
Solomona does smell food. And it smells pretty good. Fresh bread and a meat stew of some sort. Maybe this venison Talis mentioned.
He also notes that Talis is polite but not warm. She's guarded and is clearly looking for something and while she holds herself as someone with power and authority, she doesn't seem agitated or on edge.
She nods and steps into the hallway, and starts heading towards a doorway in the northeast corner of the room.
Marrin is happy to run the clock down, but she does want to go down fighting.
She picks up a few dry branches, mostly kindling sized, from the ground and some pinecones and leaves as she goes before ascending her tree for the night. On her branch, she will set about ripping her most flammable, and sadly highest thread count, tunic into thin strips. She'll then wrap those around the shafts of her bolts.
Then she'll prepare her little pile of fire wood in a tidy pile that won't just roll off the branch.
Solomona carefully follows Talis into the house, his stomach grumbling with the smell of food.
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Jan considers descending, although she isn't quite sure how long she can fly, she doesn't feel it ebbing just yet (10 min duration). Descending means dropping among the trees where the drakes and trolls may be waiting. She clock the location of the flying beasts before dismissing K, then recalling the invisible elemental them into her invisible arms. She briefs K on the goings on, gives them a heading and let's K get a good hold on her ring before shunting herself into it.
((Invisibility maintained, K in raven form has 60ft move speed, so is dashing 120ft per turn away from the area.))
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
((Time is passing more quickly now as everyone is out of initiative -- Dex/Acrobatics check from Jan -- it's a bit of a delicate aerial maneuver the pair have not tried before))
Avaria smiles at Hammerdasher's attempt at humor as they had obviously gotten lost in the woods. "Yes, finding out more about this chest would be ideal and as much as it pains me to leave them to their own devices, you're right, they can handle themselves." Ava sighs, "But walking into that house, what if it is a trap?"
Turning to Vonth to address his questions, she is unsure what all to say, "Honestly? We don't know much about it. And I have no idea what these people intentions are, but the fact that they fought us first? Doesn't sit well."
Marrin settles in to her makeshift perch for the night, safe from most anything that could be wandering through the woods at night.
-----------------------------------------
Avaria and Vonth hear the odd twigs break while they're out in the woods and the sound of swooshing up above, like that of very large birds. But nothing sounds particularly close to the group. They have time to decide what they want to do next.
----------------------------------------
Talis leads Solomona through the next doorway past the stairs. Solomona feels like eyes are watching him. When he looks around, he sees the odd kobold face looking at him through doorways and down the stairs. But those aren't the eyes he felt. He looks to the two demonic looking statues and can't help shake the feeling that they're watching him.
Through the doorway is another hallway with doors at either end and another doorway in the middle on the south side (the same side as the door he's going through). To the left, Talis leads him through one of the end doorways straight into the kitchen.
This spacious kitchen is a hive of activity. A large stove against one wall contains a roaring fire with a bubbling stew pot and shanks of venison suspended above it. Strings of onions and herbs crisscross the ceiling like webs above cluttered tables. Preparing meals are four humans: two men and two women. All are within arm’s reach of boiling water, cleavers, and knives, and their stares make it quite clear they did not expect nor appreciate the intrusion.
In one corner, southwest, a set of stairs leads down to what must be a cellar. In another corner, northwest, another set of stairs leads to the second floor.
Four windows and a doorway rest in the north wall. Dwindling sunlight shows the forest beyond.
"Stop your gawking and get our guest some stew and fresh bread and," she looks back at Solomona and his rounded belly," and make the portions extra large."
She then guides Solomona to one end of the large worktables where a couple of stools sit next to a relatively clear corner of the table.
"Now, why don't you tell me about your trip here and just as importantly, please tell me you haven't found a way to open the chest yet."
Solomona does note a smudged hand print on the wall next to another door, one on the southern wall. The print looks like it might be from blood.
---------------------------------------
Still need Dex/Acrobatics roll from Jan
Jan: Acrobatics: 24
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Vonth...
“This whole place is a trap Soren led us into,” Vonth reminds Avaria, glancing from the house to the woods as if to mark the entire area.
“If we’re not going after Marrin and Jan to catch them and help them,” he adds, “then we should go back to Solomona and whatever play he’s making.”
He pauses, looking from one face to another.
“Otherwise we’re just in the woods. Standing there.”
___
Vonth will follow Avaria's lead but does not want to do nothing...
Jan conveys the need for urgency and secrecy to K' and the duo manage the ring exchange without incidence. Jan finds herself comfortable reclining on the cushions of her inner sanctum, while looking across the space at the steel blue chest.
"What the hells are you hiding?" Jan mutters, looking at the chest, giving a ragged exhalation as she wonders what has befallen her friends. Whatever the chest contains, it's too important but anyone who wants it to get ahold of it. They seemingly can't detect it here, but storing it in her sanctum isn't a long term solution. But where can she leave it that Soren's friends can't get it.
DM: Forged in Chaos, Spiders of the Abyss, The Sundered Way, Champions of the Citadel
Active Characters:
Breldo, Halfling Ranger | Kathryn, Wood Elf Rogue/Ranger | Kroshav, Dragonborn Paladin | T'laren Farsiel, Wood Elf Fighter | Trill, Kenku Bard | Val "Janellae", Mark of Shadow Elf Warlock
Solomona sits down, hunches over the bowl of stew, and takes a long appreciative breath in. Ah, choice bro! Far out, that smells good.
He takes a few generous mouthfuls, and then tears a chuck of bread and dips it deep into the broth... again and again. Oooh, this is good! Do you guys bake here too? He chews on the moist bread, savouring the flavour, and enjoys a few more spoons of the stew, before wiping his face and looking up at Talis.
The trip here? It was wild! I'd never teleported before! He waggles the spoon at her. You know, it's kinda like being grabbed by your belly button, except from behind and being yoinked a few feet, except when its done you realise you are way more than a few feet from where you started. He chuckles and returns to the bowl. With his mouth full of hot stew he continues: Kinda wade we a wit wizzy, to we twufful. Puff Puff. Can't iwagine it's good for the system though.
He returns to the bowl, making sounds of enjoyment, and taking a breath every so often to compliment the chefs and thank the hostess...
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Avaria nods at Vonth's comment. "You're right, let's go." She then leads the group back towards the house, keeping her eyes open for anything of concern. She worries about her friends, but knows there is nothing that can be done about it now, she has no idea where they are or even where the four armed troll is. Best to figure out why the hell they were brought here.
The sun has set and darkness approaches quickly. It seems earlier than it should be to Avaria, but to Vonth it's right. The mountains raise the horizon much higher than the flat forested ground Avaria grew up with.
When the approach the front of the lodge now, the doors are shut, but lights shine out from all of the rooms, shadows passing by some of them. Heavy scratching and the sounds of dry twigs snapping and cracking echo down from the roof of the lodge. However, no one can see what's making the noise from the ground.
Anyone going up the stairs finds the front door locked.
---------------------------------------------------------
In the kitchen, Talis frowns a little as Solomona talks of little other than the food.
"I suppose you're fairly clever," Talis muses. "You've gotten a meal without divulging anything. Is that by intent, or because you don't know anything?"
Talis looks around. She ignores the surly cooks, but she does spot a kobold peeking through a doorway.
"You, find the bard and bring him." Talis orders.
The kobold yips and runs away.
Turning back to Solomona she asks "Now, I've been a gracious host. And there's much more if you're still hungry. But please just answer the question. Where's the chest? And have you opened it?"
------------------------------------------------------
Marrin finds the evening noises soothing. And while she's not exactly warm in her nest, she isn't uncomfortable either. The darkness grows without sign of anything menacing.
------------------------------------------------------
K' continues his flight westward towards the closest mountains, while Jan lolls about on cushions, pondering the chest.
Vonth...
Returning to the manor house, Vonth and Avaria move with caution, ready for trouble. Nothing reveals itself as they approach, but as they reach the stairs to the front door a sound drifts down from above—scratching, the snapping of twigs.
Vonth pauses and glances up toward the roof.
Whatever swooped at them earlier?
Maybe.
He pushes the thought aside. Panic is useless.
Taking the steps two at a time, Vonth reaches the door and tries the handle immediately.
“Locked,” he growls, loud enough for Avaria to hear. “I’ll knock.”
He raises the pommel of his sword and raps on the door with four heavy blows.
He is not trying to knock the door down. He is also not not trying to knock the door down.
Marrin yawns and buckles in for a long night, working on lyrics to, "Soren the Bastard" and "The Flight of Janelle".
"Soul as rotten as his breath..."
She nods and herself as she him find the right tune.
Solomona pauses, his spoon hovering halfway to his mouth. He seems to recognise the edge in her patience and decides not to stretch it... much.
Alright, fair enough. I can answer straight. He gestures to himself. Nope. I have not opened the chest.
The answers sits there a moment while Sol takes another mouthful of stew. After swallowing, he wipes his mouth and adds thoughtfully: Now... someone else might have. Hard to say. I only joined them yesterday, eh. He scratches his chin thoughtfully. But if it had been opened, and there was something interesting inside... there’s a good chance I might’ve noticed.
His eyes lift back to Talis. So what sort of thing are we talking about?
How does a red dragon blow out the candles on its birthday cake?
Talis raises an eyebrow at Solomona and actually smiles.
"If you have to ask, then you haven't seen anything that is in the chest." Talis says.
She pauses, thinking. Before she can speak again, the kobold returns with Soren in tow. The half-elf bard looks to have changed clothing and seems a bit better than the state Vonth had left him in before.
"This one says he just joined the group yesterday. Is that true?" Talis asks.
"Yeah, he was one of the convicts in the prison," Soren says. "I suggest you keep an eye on the silverware. He doesn't know anything useful. Not sure he knows anything of any interest."
Talis opens her mouth to say more but is interrupted by hard knocking coming from the direction of the main entrance. She nods at the kobold and gestures towards the sound.
The kobold darts off.
"Tell me," Talis says, returning her attention to Solomona. "What are your thoughts on dragons?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The echoes of Vonth's hard knocks on the door have barely quieted before Avaria spots the curtain in the window to the left of the front doors move and some eyes, just above the sill peer out. the curtain moves again and a moment later the group can hear the door being unlocked.
The door opens and a kobold sticks his head out to look at them.
"Yous with the fat man, rights?" The kobold asks. He nods to himself, knowing the answer already.
The door swings open revealing a small entry way. The group sees that just inside the front door , the wall is studded with pegs with two benches below for cloaks and boots. A set of rusty spears rests in one corner, held in the claw of a small drake statue. Avaria spots arrow slits in the eastern wall.
"Leaves yours gear here then come," The kobold says.