Gnome's OOTA Story Thread [CLOSED]

Traydark Con save: 3

Despite the close encounter with a genuine demon lord, some taking it harder than others, they continue on their way past your group, following some off shoot tunnel leading elsewhere in the Underdark, leaving you all to rest if you wish and recover, and then press on toward the fabled library of Gravenhollow.

Katryl, though not as affected by the demon lord as others, breathes a sigh of relief once they've escaped from his presence. "It might be best to rest up before trying to go on," she suggests.  

"Aye. If we camp near the Guardian, she'll offer some protection while we rest." Lulu looks down the tunnel at the spectral unicorn that still stands guard. the run in with the Nameless Lord had forced a harsh reality to the surface--one she has not faced in decades—and it bears down upon her now like the miles of stone above.

"I'd like to keep everyone in close quarters tonight. In case there’re any lingering effects. No factions keepin' to themselves or off from the group," she explains, casting a discerning eye over the company. "Willnae hurt to cozy up--easier to feel if yer bedfellow rises or is restless in the night." 

Her tone finally lightens with a small curl of her lips. "In which case, we'll no' be having cabbage or beans for dinner. Had enough nauseous gas for one day." She fixes Horkas with an arch of her brows, teasingly suggesting he's been the culprit of such after-dinner flatus. 

Khessa realizes that having lingered so long and so close to that self-moving mass of disgusting rot that was the Demon Lord's body has taken it's toll on her: "As usual, you have spoken words of wisdom, Angels . A little rest will do us all good, and what better place than under the protection of the sacred unicorn you have summoned?"

The blonde arcane warrior, however, before resting, approaches Lunaria and protests: "A celestial, however, should not allow himself to joke like a common mortal... We creatures of the Prime Material Plane look to you as oracles of truth and wisdom and we may take your words seriously even when we shouldn't. For example, for cabbages... I know very well that they are the best food that mankind has ever discovered and that they have no side effects; but other members of the Army might believe your words... and develop distrust towards the best food their palate could ever taste".

"And also to suggest that Horkas did..." the tall adventuress seems at least amused, in this case "...that thing... I know it's not true, because you Angels don't need to eat, so neither even to digest nor consequently to err... well... spread stink. But what would happen if the members of the Army believed you? Their reverence towards the Angels could wane..."

Horkas laughed at Lulu, retorting, "You're one to talk...your giant backblasts have nearly knocked me off of Skitter more than once! and the sound as it echoes down the tunnels...Once I thought there was an earthquake..." 

The noble drow finds a smile tugging at his lips as the others banter but he doesn't join in, not really used to jokes about flatulence, instead quietly instructing the zhentarim to stay close as the gentle Firbolg suggested, letting Grax'xt and the earth elemental servant scout the surrondings for potential threats while the expedition sets up camp. 

With a couple pets summoned to keep watch, you can all take your rest, which passes relatively easily despite the close encounter and the continued pressure of the mission at hand. Nothing else apart from a few wandering typical bugs and such (as in little inconsequential creepy crawlies) in the area now, the awful acidic stench lessened as well.

Back on the trek toward Gravenhollow the same terrible scenes appear from time to time: mutilated bodies of all manner of Underdark denizens, scavengers, collapsed tunnels, minor demonic incursions that, while easily handled by you and the troops, nonetheless remind you of the infiltration from the lower planes and that it is only a matter of time before things much much worse start making a more regular appearance.

However, after several more weeks of traveling (all told around 8 weeks since leaving Mantol-Derith) the scouts report it first, but you all would hear it before long: someone is singing! The deep slow voice echoes throughout the tunnel network you are walking through.

(Feel free to make a check of your choice regarding the singing if you wish)

Khessa chooses to make an History check to remember eventual lore connected to the song or the singer: 14

In the meantime, she sends Anator in that direction to investigate, concentrating to 'see' through his senses (including Blindsight)

Lulu snorts at Horkas' retort, cheeks puffed in a firbolg-blush as she tries to cover his mouth with the fluffy end of her tail. "Close yer slandering flaps, ye cheeky tattie!" she laughs, the sound warm and genuine. 


When Khessa approaches later, the firbolg smiles at her protestations before encouraging the human to sit with her as she prepares dinner. "Ye ken, my da' used to say that there is more wisdom in our bodies than the deepest philosophy." She cracks a lopsided grin. "Bodily functions not withstanding. But did the joke no' relieve some of the fear and tension we were all feeling? Laughter can be a potent remedy."

Her knife pauses beneath the skin of the potato she's peeling, tail curling around her waist as she meets Khessa's blue gaze. "And, lass, there is no such thing as a common mortal. From those who beg on the streets to kings sat upon their mighty thrones, we are all of us made of stardust. Celestial bodies in our own right." She gives the woman a meaningful look. "The angels that ye speak of? Ye are no' less than them. Nor does yer light shine any less bright." 

Lulu's ears perk at the sound of singing, having missed the sound of song and music, but soon flatten back. Being a denizen of the Wilds, the firbolg is immediately cautious; there are far too many creatures on her native plane that use their voice to lure unsuspecting victims to their doom.


((Is it a song Lulu might understand/recognize? She speaks Sylvan, Giant, Elvish, and Undercommon (now). Perception: 14+7 21))

"Yes, I understand your intentions, Lulu!" Khessa smiles. “And I don't really mean to question the wisdom of a celestial giantess; I was just taken by surprise, probably”.

"If we are made of stardust I don't know this, Lulu..." admits the blonde arcane warrior "just as I don't know what this entails. I take your word for it. But anyway I thank you for your kind words! You are truly a very dear and kind Angel. I'm sure the heavens are very proud of you!"

"For sure," she adds, before joining the infantry and taking her rest "I am!"

Although not fluent in dwarvish, he immediately wonders if that is the language of the song. He listens to the tune, the tone, and the timber, trying to determine the meaning and intent.

(Insight: 17)

Night of the Juiblex encounter:

Night of the Juiblex encounter:

 As soon as they hear the singing, Traydark sends the invisible Grax'xt fluttering ahead to determine if it is a demonic threat, then listening intensely to see if the song can give him any clue to what is singing.

Perception: 18

Night of the Juiblex encounter:

Khessa tries to raise the morale of the infantrymen, claiming that they managed to put Jubilex to flight: "Not even the Faceless Lord dared to face you in open field, bad4sses! Did you see? You have inspired such fear into him, that instead of moving as slowly as an ooze, he sped away as fast as a running man! And besides... how could he 'face' you, since he is 'faceless'?"

After a few laughs together, the blonde arcane warrior dims Dawn's sunlight, allowing everyone to rest or sleep, but without turning it off completely, to remind everyone of the sun shining on the surface and the hope that shines within everyone of them. Not that she wants to remind the angels of this... They already know, of course; but for the mortal troops of the Army this can instead be useful to remember.

'After all, you too are an Angel, Anator...' the tall adventurer exchanges a few words with her brother, in the intimacy allowed by telepathic communication 'You have bat form, but celestial nature! Did you already know that the others were Angels too?'
'I don't think they're Angels, Khessa,' Anator tries to explain. 'Not more than you, at least'.
'Ah, brother of mine...' she smiles 'Did they ask you too to keep their identity secret? Ok, that's fine... But I expected more complicity from you...'
'Khessa, it's not a matter of complicity!' Anator's telepathic voice is veiled in concern 'It's just that your hypothesis seems absurd to me... You have always been much more intelligent than me, so you will surely be right this time too, but I really can't this time follow the logical thread of your reasoning'.

Khessa doesn't believe Anator, but she understands him... if the Angels asked him to keep the secret, what should he do, he who is a celestial? She wishes him good night and her last look before falling asleep is for Traydark. 'He too is an Angel. How did I not notice this before? That's the reason why... Yes, of course, it's so obvious... Oh, well, it doesn't matter anymore, I guess...' Then she falls asleep, peaceful in spite of everything, bathed in the dim light of Dawn.

After the Jubilex encounter: 

Present: 
Hearing the music, Katryl tries to make out what the words are, if any. She listens quietly for a while, as it seems everyone has noticed it.  (Perception: 21) After taking the time to listen, she mentions to the others. "We probably should investigate what that is. Should I take the scouts and look?" 

It is odd, this scene that is unfolding, for what is seen lurking a ways away still, is a rather large basilisk, laying on the tunnel floor. The singing appears to be coming from it, and even more unusual, the song, which doesn't seem to be any particularly known tune or words, is nonetheless being sung in a variety of languages, rotating through them every so often with no apparent rhyme or reason to it.

Khessa, who is perceiving the scene through the senses of Anator, whom she sent ahead to check, is amazed... and reports all the details, adding: "It must be some sort of symbol or signal of Gravenhollow... A variety of languages and rotating through them... It seems to me to be an allusion to knowledge - knowledge like what we might find in Gravenhollow. Wait, I'll get Anator closer to examine this creature better..."

And the blonde arcane warrior does exactly this, asking her brother to come closer and better control the creature. Is it actually a creature, or a sculpture? Is it the creature, singing? Or does the singing simply come from her or her area? As Anator approaches, he should be able to sense the creature using his Blindsight — so if the creature is an illusion or has an illusory appearance, he should notice. Is there an illusion at work? Or does the creature look like a rather large basilisk even when viewed with Blindsight?