Gnome's OOTA Story Thread [CLOSED]

"Where does this gnoll come from? Why is he here?" Katryl asks the others, clearly suspicious. She's a bit confused as she can understand what Lulu is saying, even though she appears to be speaking to the gnoll. But she holds her tongue and lets the others handle this conversation. 

The questions that Katryl rightly asks also intrigue Khessa... Indeed, what reason could he have to find himself there, a solitary and scarred gnoll who speaks in Abyssal and who seems eager to make himself useful, at the entrance to a maze consecrated to Baphomet?

"He could be a worshiper of Yeenoghu..." the blonde arcane warrior speculates "...and therefore, perhaps, willing to help us because our actions might hinder Bahomet. Perhaps the two Demon Lords are competing for this place. There would be nothing strange in this, if that 'Maze Engine' we've heard about is really that powerful (and this is an excellent reason to ensure that neither one nor the other can use it, among other things)".

"However, even though I can now understand what the gnoll is saying, I am still unable to speak to him..." the tall adventuress sighs "so let's see what comes out of the conversation".

The gnoll comes closer to Lulu warily, it's ferocious fangs licked by a darkened tongue, snatching the offered food out of her hands and quickly scooting back a step or two to feast on it hungrily. It then just stands there not really looking at any of you in particular, still in what could be considered a defensive posture, as if trying not to appear so threatening.

Finding it hard to get a good read on the pitiful gnoll, Traydark too decides that caution is well advised, watching it as it feasts on what the gentle firbolg offered it. 

 Insight to determine truthfulness in answers: 18

Perhaps it's the strange combination of its grotesque nature and odd subservience that makes it hard to get a read on the creatures true motivations.

After that the gnoll begins to back up toward the maze entrance, although whether it is inviting you to come with them, or getting ready to run, is anyone's guess.

 Intimidation: 25

The gnoll doesn't answer except with another whimpering moan and turns tail and runs off toward the Maze, though he is not quite as quick as some, perhaps even limping just a little bit now and then.

“We’ve a phrase in the Wilds,” Lulu says, putting a heavy but gentle hand on Traydark’s shoulder. “Ye catch more flies with honey than ye do with vinegar.”

At that, Lulu walks calmly after the gnoll, calling out in her most soothing voice, “Gash, forgive us. We are very grateful ye offered yer help. We will no’ ask ye to guide us still if ye do no’ want, but please let me heal yer leg.”

(Make a persuasion check at disadvantage, Lulu)

"Yes, well unfortunately this particular fly is clearly in league with our abyssal visitors, most likely that mangy excuse for a demon lord Yeenoghu..." The noble drow growls. "...but if you believe it can still be trusted then go ahead and bring out your honey."

6

"The fact that he is a gnoll, but speaks Abyssal, really suggests that old good Gash is a follower of Yeenoghu..." Khessa concedes "But since every Demon Lord is enemy of the others, perhaps for this very reason he could really be willing to help us against the followers of Baphomet".

"If he keeps walking away, don't run after him, Lulu" the blonde arcane warrior advises the gentle firbolg. "A labyrinth infested with demonic minotaurs is not the best place to split up and lose sight of each other. If you can convince him to stop, trust us and cooperate, that's great... but if you can't... Well, if his idea of ​​'leading us' is to run away without explanation and leave us to guess whether we are supposed to follow him and where, I think it is wiser to decline".

Unfortunately, perhaps, it seems the mixed reaction of the group is enough to make Gash disappear into the Maze at last, leaving you all to decide for yourselves how you wish to proceed through the Maze.

Feeling a bit awkward now over seemingly having scared off a potential guide for the maze in front of them, the noble drow simply shrugs, ready to resume wind form to continue the journey. "Keep your eyes open for Goristro demons in there. I suppose they look like huge demonic minotaurs. I believe they are quite powerful so don't hold back if we find one." 

"Good riddance, says me..." Horkas says as the gnoll scampers off into the maze. "Better get moving, though, in case Gash runs to any cohorts who were setting up an ambush for us to warn them...and I agree with the suggestion earlier about following a pattern to help keep us from getting lost."

"Shall we begin?"

Katryl nods in agreement with Horkas. "Just as much chance that gnoll would lead us into danger as to help us. Probably for the best to move along by ourselves. Let's go."  She's ready to follow the others into the maze. 

"Sometimes, a kind hand is enough to turn those tormented by their masters against them," Lulu says as she returns to the group. "I 'spose we'll never ken." 

As they ready to enter the maze, Lulu divinely enhances the survival abilities of whoever is taking the lead to guide them through.

(Since you're shifting back to a cloud, I would say you have about 4 hours left at this point left to use the transformation today. Whoever is leading will need to make the Survival check, at advantage. This is not a firm check, but a sliding scale to see how well you can navigate the maze. Hopefully you roll well enough that you can make it out before the spell wears off, right?)

Approaching the maze in your cloud form, the tunnel is 10ft wide by 10ft high of solid stone, splattered heavily with blood almost constantly, and numerous bones of all types and sizes littering the floor regularly. In addition, you all immediately recognize the presence of faerzress permeating the entire maze as you go along.

Khessa is sorry for the outcome of the meeting with the gnoll... she would have liked to help him no less than Lulu - but she gets over it. She has in mind the very different encounter with Hanne. She too alone. She too in a dangerous situation. Yet she almost immediately proved to be much more collaborative. Gash, on the other hand, had done nothing to dispel any suspicions. Maybe he was just more 'compromised' than Hanne from Demon Lord Madness. Or maybe he was actually less trustworthy.

The tall adventuress mentally shrugs — though a furtive smile curls her lips at the thought of the young drow she-wizard, who had proven so good-natured. Who knows if she'll see her again, one day?

In the meantime, the transformation into cloud form is completed and the blonde arcane warrior is ready to follow Katryl along the intricate streets of the labyrinth.

[[ OOC: Katryl is our best 'Survivalist' - I think she should be the one leading us here ]]

Katryl leads the way into the maze. (Survival: 18; also based on her Background Feature - You can recall the twists and turns of passageways and tunnels such that you can always retrace your steps underground.)