Phodoxia joins the goblins' laughter, still behaving as if she's having the time of her life. "Yeah, that must have been them! See why he had to get some goblins to help him? Needle Toes and Maw Tooth aren't neither of us scared of frogs, or giant river things either!"
In between giggles, she shoots a glance at Mud and Grrzark. Help me out here before they carry me off!
Grrzark takes a minute to register her glance, but he straightens up, and looks at Mud, then back at the Needle Toes leader. "So. You got the frogs under control. Are there any other dangerous critters that need some axe work?" He hefts his greataxe proudly, seeming to have already forgotten the Needle Toes' derision of him.
"There is a tribe of troglodytes but they kept to themselves... mostly because we show them who's boss!! hahaha" they keep bragging "But there are a cave we do not enter... the mudtigers nest there..." they give a malicious stare at Grrzark ".. maybe you could kill them... hehehe"
"Goblins is boss, that's who," Phodoxia bats her eyes at the Needle Toes, giggling along with them. And then opens her eyes wide. "Mudtigers, eh?"
"Maybe I could," Grrzark says, haughtily. "Sounds like a worthy task to me. Dox?"
"Yessir," Phodoxia sighs. "Let's do it. That's what we're here for." She hops up from her chair, turning to flash another winning smile at the Needle Toes goblins. "Won't you point us the way? We'll take care of the mudtigers."
Mud smiles amiably and positions himself to flank Phodoxia, presumably on their way out of the cave chamber.
(Still in goblin) "Aye, aye, troglodytes and mudtigers," he drawls. "And humans too, both slaves and not-slaves? Bazilik Erak the dwarf will hear how great you Needle Toes ah... you know, toe the line. Dox, Zark and I are just getting our bearings. Which way did you say Bazilik was again?"
In truth, Mud sees no particular reason to tangle with troglodytes, or with whatever mudtigers might be, despite the similarity to his own name. But if Zark is spoiling for a fight, Mud won't stop him. Somewhere here, though, slaves need to be freed. Perhaps on account of this Bazilik...
Explore the Uncharted. No Greater Life than a Life Lived Free...
"You kill the mudtigers? haha you crazy! They will kill you, reap you with their claws and eat your meat and bones! yes hahahaha" the rest of the goblins laugh with him but it seems that he is enjoying imaginanig such a gore scene.
"They are that way, near the subterranean beach... and Bazilik? he is upstairs of course, pretending he is better than us... " he scoffs
It seems that they are off the hook for now but the direction of the mudtigers is in the other exit of the room that they had entered, so if they go that way they will be farther from their friends that are still waiting on the corridor.
Mud continues to amble casually back out the exit they had entered through, hoping that Dox and Zark have the sense to join him.
"Aye, the subterranean beach. We'll bear that way soon enough. Bring you all some mudtiger meat. Or Zark meat. One or the other. Right now, got duty, though. Got to keep making the rounds because... you know, stupid Bazilik. Thinks he's better than Maw Tooth and Needle Toes. Hah!"
If and when the group are out of earshot of the goblins, back in Common to everyone (including Tark and Rasen).
"Never heard of a mine with pet monsters and nasties like these goblins go on about, but then I guess I'm not aminer."
Mud shudders, unable to imagine spending the whole day underground when there are wide horizons to explore.
"Mudtigers and troglodytes and some water-lurker. Guess you knew about the giant frogs already. A subterranean beach too - and slaves along with free human and goblin workers. Whoever Bazilik is, he's running more than a mining job here, but if we keep walking around his mine, someone's going to get more suspicious than those goblins were. I say we keep heading down the grate, maybe get to where the slaves are so we can free them."
(Mud says this last bit as if liberating the slaves is the obvious objective now).
He turns to Dox and Zark. "Might be some dead goblins at the end of this you know, getting the slaves free. Just need to make sure it's not us. Like the pirates we ran down on the Dragonfly had the odd goblin. Die at the end of a blade same as anyone. Or we die at the end of theirs. Either way."
Smiling and laughing at the Needle Toes as she follows Mud back down the passageway, Phodoxia waves goodbye to their newfound "friends", but the smile vanishes from her face as soon as they're all out of sight and earshot. "Mudtigers?" she hisses quietly.
Zark looks like he's about to argue, but then, merely glowering, also follows. "Mudtigers won't get any taste of Grrzark," he growls, giving Mud an acid stare, presumably in retaliation for the other goblin's earlier comment to the Needle Toes.
Once the goblins make it back to their companions, after Mud gives them his warning, Phodoxia sighs loudly. "What is freeing slaves going to get us, except dead? Slaves don't have any food, or gold. What are we getting paid for again?" she asks Rasen. "Aren't we just supposed to find out what's going on down here? Well, we've done a good bit of that, haven't we? Bazilik is the fellow we need to talk to... although he probably won't talk to goblins, so maybe that's your job." She winks at the human and gnome.
"Well... if he hires goblins as guards I guess he actually speaks to them but I get what you mean... "replies Rasen. "yes we are paid to find out what's going on here but also to find this other agent... Kwon... I am not sure if he has been aprehended as a slave but this news are worrying... I... I guess that if we free them, I do not know how or if we could... they will reward us more back in the city..."
"Slaves, Kwon, whoever is stuck here, let's go free them." Mud's eagerness to get on with it seems unhampered by Dox's doubt and pragmatism as he looks around at the dark caverns with distaste. "No one should have to spend their lives down here without the choice to leave. It is an affront to Procan, just as slave ships desecrate His seas. Have you ever smelled a slave ship?" Mud wrinkles his nose. "Not something you'd ever forget."
"Anyway," he continues happily, "Zark says he's not going to die, so we just stick with him and we're good. If we get rewarded for Kwon, all the better."
Mud turns and spots the gnome. "What do you say, Tark? We four little ones and the two big lads, down the hatch? Or grate, whatever?"
It is only halfway through Mud's recap that Stoney realizes that the goblin switched languages to something he could understand. Takes him a moment to catch up to the conversation.
"I... ah... agree with all of you." (Notices that some of the suggestion are in conflict.) "We should find the slaves (like Mud suggested), but try not to be noticed until we know the situation and have a plan that doesn't get us killed (like Phodoxia suggested). Hopefully this Kwon person is among those slaves, so finding him gets us halfway done with the job (as Rasen suggested). That is my suggestion (as I have suggested)."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Stoney words for a stony mine, by Procan," Mud nods, as if Tark had agreed fully with him, which he hadn't, really.
"Needle Toe goblins to the east were drunk and sleepy, and even they suspected us before Dox turned on the charm and Zark put on the comedy act. Up the tunnel northwest, miners were working. If we go that way, we better have a good yarn for why Bazilik Erak the dwarf wants us wandering around his mine. Like maybe we're new Needle Toes escorting two human slaves and need directions? Anyway, that's why I was thinking the grate."
Mud pauses, realizing belatedly with a rueful smile that he has inadvertently just opened up the thought of going northwest after all instead of the grate.
Stoney nods his head, as in deep thought. (More like confusion, but so be it.)
"Yes, the conversation to the east, in whatever non-Common that was... Baz the dwarf owns the mine, yeah sure...
"You are thinking of checking the grate? You were able to safely negotiate with those guards, so I'll continue trusting your instincts (for now). Unless there is a strong objection, checking the grate seems reasonable."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Let's do it." Grrzark immediately stomps to the grate, sheathes his greataxe, which he was still gripping with white-knuckled fury, and reaches down to try and heave the next grate up...clearly still looking for an outlet to express his annoyance with the whole Needle Toes encounter.
Phodoxia giggles and shrugs at both suggestions of course of action. "I guess it'll be a toss up if we think we got better muscles and ability to land on our feet, or better charm, hmm?"
Stoney notices that Grrzark is giving a decent effort, but worries that may not be enough if the grate edges are rusted or clogged with debris.
When Mud steps forward to lend a hand, Stoney will give him a nudge and loan him a crowbar, if that will provide better leverage. (A Help effort is already proving advantage to Grrzark, but can't hurt to make a best effort with a crowbar.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM) Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy) DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Grrzark, straining and focusing on the grate, fails to notice either Mud, his foot, or Stoney, or the crowbar. Unfortunately, he also fails to notice the fact that he is standing on the grate itself as he heaves on it...
Athletics with advantage from help: Unfortunately still 10!
The grate proves to be as stubborn as an old dwarf but with the aid of the crowbar and Mud pushing it alonside Grrzark, they finally manage to move it and put it aside to allow them to descend to the next level.
They manage to descend the twenty feet that separates the two levels and find themselves in a rectangular chamber with only one exit to the west. The room is irregular, and is dimly light by some luminiscent mushrooms that give a faint, blueish taint to the floor and walls. It is good to help them hide but the goblins can see in this light as well as Rasen would do in a day with clear sky.
With precautions they follow what it seems to be the only exit, barring the climbing up again, and soon they all can hear the sound of a few picks against the rock. Nothing as a big mining operation but there is definetly someone working ahead. Their scouts confirm this when, they discover that there are five secondary tunnels that head south and from one of them a goblin carrying a bag full of quarz appears from one of them and walks towards the west, where the corridor seems to open and wide.
Relieved to be in a nice uninhabited tunnel again below the grate, Phodoxia happily plucks one of the glowing mushrooms, twirling it between her fingers and occasionally trying to poke it into Grrzark's ear. When he swats her away a little too roughly, she hisses at him and sticks what's left of the mushroom behind Mud's just-as-sizable ear, leaving it there.
Suddenly distracted by the sound of mining picks, she furtively peers ahead to examine the secondary tunnels. Ah! Another goblin... Needle Toes again, maybe? We'll see, won't we? She slips quietly westward, after the goblin carrying the bag of quartz, trying to see who he is and where he is headed.
Mud (Passive Perception: 13) just barely fails to notice Dox's mushroom behind his ear. Not unaware of the sensation, his face takes on a long-suffering look. Must just be how it feels to be stuck underground all day... already starting to feel like there are little bits and bobs stuck to me, Procan protect.
Upon seeing the apparent goblin miner and Dox sneaking forward, Mud passes one end of his rope to Stoney and Rasen to wrap around their wrists (loosely), holding the other end himself as if leading them as captives.
"Should at least appear like we belong - maybe new Needle Toe gobs sent to bring some newly-captured slaves down here," he whispers with a rueful look, not proud of the deception. "'Might be they'll even point us where to 'take' you so we can free the real slaves, including this Kwon, Procan willing."
While Mud prepare their façade Phodoxia sneaks behind the working goblin who, grunting and panting under the weight of his carry, doesn't notice her.
He heads west, towards what it seems to be a more open area with mining implements and supplies, presumably to unload the quartz that he had collected, and return back to mining.
Not to far from the corridor that the goblin came, there is another one very similar. Picking noises come from it and the scouting goblin stops and peeks inside before crossing it to discover a couple more goblins mining the quartz from the walls. She is confident that she could sneak past them easily, for they are focused in their work, but she also notices that, before reaching the open area where the first goblin is headed, there are two more corridors, all in the southern wall.
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PbP Character: A few ;)
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Phodoxia joins the goblins' laughter, still behaving as if she's having the time of her life. "Yeah, that must have been them! See why he had to get some goblins to help him? Needle Toes and Maw Tooth aren't neither of us scared of frogs, or giant river things either!"
In between giggles, she shoots a glance at Mud and Grrzark. Help me out here before they carry me off!
Grrzark takes a minute to register her glance, but he straightens up, and looks at Mud, then back at the Needle Toes leader. "So. You got the frogs under control. Are there any other dangerous critters that need some axe work?" He hefts his greataxe proudly, seeming to have already forgotten the Needle Toes' derision of him.
"There is a tribe of troglodytes but they kept to themselves... mostly because we show them who's boss!! hahaha" they keep bragging "But there are a cave we do not enter... the mudtigers nest there..." they give a malicious stare at Grrzark ".. maybe you could kill them... hehehe"
PbP Character: A few ;)
"Goblins is boss, that's who," Phodoxia bats her eyes at the Needle Toes, giggling along with them. And then opens her eyes wide. "Mudtigers, eh?"
"Maybe I could," Grrzark says, haughtily. "Sounds like a worthy task to me. Dox?"
"Yessir," Phodoxia sighs. "Let's do it. That's what we're here for." She hops up from her chair, turning to flash another winning smile at the Needle Toes goblins. "Won't you point us the way? We'll take care of the mudtigers."
Mud smiles amiably and positions himself to flank Phodoxia, presumably on their way out of the cave chamber.
(Still in goblin) "Aye, aye, troglodytes and mudtigers," he drawls. "And humans too, both slaves and not-slaves? Bazilik Erak the dwarf will hear how great you Needle Toes ah... you know, toe the line. Dox, Zark and I are just getting our bearings. Which way did you say Bazilik was again?"
In truth, Mud sees no particular reason to tangle with troglodytes, or with whatever mudtigers might be, despite the similarity to his own name. But if Zark is spoiling for a fight, Mud won't stop him. Somewhere here, though, slaves need to be freed. Perhaps on account of this Bazilik...
Explore the Uncharted. No Greater Life than a Life Lived Free...
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
"You kill the mudtigers? haha you crazy! They will kill you, reap you with their claws and eat your meat and bones! yes hahahaha" the rest of the goblins laugh with him but it seems that he is enjoying imaginanig such a gore scene.
"They are that way, near the subterranean beach... and Bazilik? he is upstairs of course, pretending he is better than us... " he scoffs
It seems that they are off the hook for now but the direction of the mudtigers is in the other exit of the room that they had entered, so if they go that way they will be farther from their friends that are still waiting on the corridor.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Mud continues to amble casually back out the exit they had entered through, hoping that Dox and Zark have the sense to join him.
"Aye, the subterranean beach. We'll bear that way soon enough. Bring you all some mudtiger meat. Or Zark meat. One or the other. Right now, got duty, though. Got to keep making the rounds because... you know, stupid Bazilik. Thinks he's better than Maw Tooth and Needle Toes. Hah!"
If and when the group are out of earshot of the goblins, back in Common to everyone (including Tark and Rasen).
"Never heard of a mine with pet monsters and nasties like these goblins go on about, but then I guess I'm not a miner."
Mud shudders, unable to imagine spending the whole day underground when there are wide horizons to explore.
"Mudtigers and troglodytes and some water-lurker. Guess you knew about the giant frogs already. A subterranean beach too - and slaves along with free human and goblin workers. Whoever Bazilik is, he's running more than a mining job here, but if we keep walking around his mine, someone's going to get more suspicious than those goblins were. I say we keep heading down the grate, maybe get to where the slaves are so we can free them."
(Mud says this last bit as if liberating the slaves is the obvious objective now).
He turns to Dox and Zark. "Might be some dead goblins at the end of this you know, getting the slaves free. Just need to make sure it's not us. Like the pirates we ran down on the Dragonfly had the odd goblin. Die at the end of a blade same as anyone. Or we die at the end of theirs. Either way."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Smiling and laughing at the Needle Toes as she follows Mud back down the passageway, Phodoxia waves goodbye to their newfound "friends", but the smile vanishes from her face as soon as they're all out of sight and earshot. "Mudtigers?" she hisses quietly.
Zark looks like he's about to argue, but then, merely glowering, also follows. "Mudtigers won't get any taste of Grrzark," he growls, giving Mud an acid stare, presumably in retaliation for the other goblin's earlier comment to the Needle Toes.
Once the goblins make it back to their companions, after Mud gives them his warning, Phodoxia sighs loudly. "What is freeing slaves going to get us, except dead? Slaves don't have any food, or gold. What are we getting paid for again?" she asks Rasen. "Aren't we just supposed to find out what's going on down here? Well, we've done a good bit of that, haven't we? Bazilik is the fellow we need to talk to... although he probably won't talk to goblins, so maybe that's your job." She winks at the human and gnome.
"Well... if he hires goblins as guards I guess he actually speaks to them but I get what you mean... " replies Rasen. "yes we are paid to find out what's going on here but also to find this other agent... Kwon... I am not sure if he has been aprehended as a slave but this news are worrying... I... I guess that if we free them, I do not know how or if we could... they will reward us more back in the city..."
So what do you want to do?" he asks
PbP Character: A few ;)
"Slaves, Kwon, whoever is stuck here, let's go free them." Mud's eagerness to get on with it seems unhampered by Dox's doubt and pragmatism as he looks around at the dark caverns with distaste. "No one should have to spend their lives down here without the choice to leave. It is an affront to Procan, just as slave ships desecrate His seas. Have you ever smelled a slave ship?" Mud wrinkles his nose. "Not something you'd ever forget."
"Anyway," he continues happily, "Zark says he's not going to die, so we just stick with him and we're good. If we get rewarded for Kwon, all the better."
Mud turns and spots the gnome. "What do you say, Tark? We four little ones and the two big lads, down the hatch? Or grate, whatever?"
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
It is only halfway through Mud's recap that Stoney realizes that the goblin switched languages to something he could understand.
Takes him a moment to catch up to the conversation.
"I... ah... agree with all of you." (Notices that some of the suggestion are in conflict.) "We should find the slaves (like Mud suggested), but try not to be noticed until we know the situation and have a plan that doesn't get us killed (like Phodoxia suggested). Hopefully this Kwon person is among those slaves, so finding him gets us halfway done with the job (as Rasen suggested). That is my suggestion (as I have suggested)."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Stoney words for a stony mine, by Procan," Mud nods, as if Tark had agreed fully with him, which he hadn't, really.
"Needle Toe goblins to the east were drunk and sleepy, and even they suspected us before Dox turned on the charm and Zark put on the comedy act. Up the tunnel northwest, miners were working. If we go that way, we better have a good yarn for why Bazilik Erak the dwarf wants us wandering around his mine. Like maybe we're new Needle Toes escorting two human slaves and need directions? Anyway, that's why I was thinking the grate."
Mud pauses, realizing belatedly with a rueful smile that he has inadvertently just opened up the thought of going northwest after all instead of the grate.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Stoney nods his head, as in deep thought. (More like confusion, but so be it.)
"Yes, the conversation to the east, in whatever non-Common that was... Baz the dwarf owns the mine, yeah sure...
"You are thinking of checking the grate? You were able to safely negotiate with those guards, so I'll continue trusting your instincts (for now).
Unless there is a strong objection, checking the grate seems reasonable."
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
"Let's do it." Grrzark immediately stomps to the grate, sheathes his greataxe, which he was still gripping with white-knuckled fury, and reaches down to try and heave the next grate up...clearly still looking for an outlet to express his annoyance with the whole Needle Toes encounter.
Phodoxia giggles and shrugs at both suggestions of course of action. "I guess it'll be a toss up if we think we got better muscles and ability to land on our feet, or better charm, hmm?"
Grrzark Athletics: 10
To the extent Zark permits (or perhaps doesn't notice), Mud, who is also proficient in Athletics, tries to help him with the grate heading down.
Granting advantage on Athletics, hooking his foot in a corner and unobtrusively pulling up with his legs, making it seem as if Zark does all the work.
Mud Sleight of Hand (or foot): 24 (natural 20, visible in campaign log).
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Stoney notices that Grrzark is giving a decent effort, but worries that may not be enough if the grate edges are rusted or clogged with debris.
When Mud steps forward to lend a hand, Stoney will give him a nudge and loan him a crowbar, if that will provide better leverage.
(A Help effort is already proving advantage to Grrzark, but can't hurt to make a best effort with a crowbar.)
Beegred Thornpost - Lvl 8 Halfling Ranger - Out of the Abyss by Kerrec
Drusk - Lvl 8 Half-Orc Life Cleric - The Long Road: Dragon Heist by Mingofaust (player & current DM)
Hunferho Aelorothi - Lvl 5 Half-Elf Bard/Rogue - Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (by Pokepaladdy)
DM - Frontier City of Nunkreet (ended)
Grrzark, straining and focusing on the grate, fails to notice either Mud, his foot, or Stoney, or the crowbar. Unfortunately, he also fails to notice the fact that he is standing on the grate itself as he heaves on it...
Athletics with advantage from help: Unfortunately still 10!
The grate proves to be as stubborn as an old dwarf but with the aid of the crowbar and Mud pushing it alonside Grrzark, they finally manage to move it and put it aside to allow them to descend to the next level.
They manage to descend the twenty feet that separates the two levels and find themselves in a rectangular chamber with only one exit to the west. The room is irregular, and is dimly light by some luminiscent mushrooms that give a faint, blueish taint to the floor and walls. It is good to help them hide but the goblins can see in this light as well as Rasen would do in a day with clear sky.
With precautions they follow what it seems to be the only exit, barring the climbing up again, and soon they all can hear the sound of a few picks against the rock. Nothing as a big mining operation but there is definetly someone working ahead. Their scouts confirm this when, they discover that there are five secondary tunnels that head south and from one of them a goblin carrying a bag full of quarz appears from one of them and walks towards the west, where the corridor seems to open and wide.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Relieved to be in a nice uninhabited tunnel again below the grate, Phodoxia happily plucks one of the glowing mushrooms, twirling it between her fingers and occasionally trying to poke it into Grrzark's ear. When he swats her away a little too roughly, she hisses at him and sticks what's left of the mushroom behind Mud's just-as-sizable ear, leaving it there.
Suddenly distracted by the sound of mining picks, she furtively peers ahead to examine the secondary tunnels. Ah! Another goblin... Needle Toes again, maybe? We'll see, won't we? She slips quietly westward, after the goblin carrying the bag of quartz, trying to see who he is and where he is headed.
Stealth: 14
Mud (Passive Perception: 13) just barely fails to notice Dox's mushroom behind his ear. Not unaware of the sensation, his face takes on a long-suffering look. Must just be how it feels to be stuck underground all day... already starting to feel like there are little bits and bobs stuck to me, Procan protect.
Upon seeing the apparent goblin miner and Dox sneaking forward, Mud passes one end of his rope to Stoney and Rasen to wrap around their wrists (loosely), holding the other end himself as if leading them as captives.
"Should at least appear like we belong - maybe new Needle Toe gobs sent to bring some newly-captured slaves down here," he whispers with a rueful look, not proud of the deception. "'Might be they'll even point us where to 'take' you so we can free the real slaves, including this Kwon, Procan willing."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
While Mud prepare their façade Phodoxia sneaks behind the working goblin who, grunting and panting under the weight of his carry, doesn't notice her.
He heads west, towards what it seems to be a more open area with mining implements and supplies, presumably to unload the quartz that he had collected, and return back to mining.
Not to far from the corridor that the goblin came, there is another one very similar. Picking noises come from it and the scouting goblin stops and peeks inside before crossing it to discover a couple more goblins mining the quartz from the walls. She is confident that she could sneak past them easily, for they are focused in their work, but she also notices that, before reaching the open area where the first goblin is headed, there are two more corridors, all in the southern wall.
PbP Character: A few ;)