”We have a tale to tell of fire giants and their attack on Triboar to dig for an odd black stone. We were asked to warn Dral and perhaps even procure a giant killing weapon from a nearby ally if we could,” says Spike, “but now you tell us our contact is lost or missing in the catacombs?”
Sighing, Spike says, “Well, if Dral is in need of rescuing, I’ll help—but someone needs to secure that evil book before it convinces someone to pick it up an do Hades knows what with it!”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
The vision had shaken Enoch; it was the strongest registration of evil he had encountered since becoming a paladin. Now finally, as he makes sense of everything, he sighs and speaks.
"You're right, Spike. That room has been desecrated, and the book is a locus of evil of a magnitude I've not seen before." He closed his eyes and shook his head while muttering about the poor man who had burst into flames, then looked at Rach and continued.
"Unfortunately, I think keeping watch over the room is the best we can do for now; you've been wise in your response. And with something of that nature, we will definitely be willing to assist." Now seeming a bit less rattled, his smile returned, just slightly, and he looked around at his companions. "So then, are we ready for a bit of spelunking?" The way he enunciated the last word, one might have gotten the distinct impression that he just enjoyed saying it.
Bjorn gazes at the books with great interest. "Oh, but for a fortnight of time to go through these librahams." He mutters out loud. He says to the group, "I'm all for rescuing a fellow scholar. You can count me in, whatever the reward."
As each of the party members makes their statement, Rach nods and smiles. Once done she says: "For those of you that desire to go through my library I am willing to allow you to spend a week in my library and what knowledge you gain is yours. As for gold, I can offer 5 gold per day and 500 gold for the group, at the completion of the task." She pauses for a moment then says. "Are these terms acceptable?" she asks.
After a moment she she will say. "Tell me about your encounter of Giants?"
Essendrum nods. “Those terms are acceptable.” He proceeds to provide her a detailed account of his observations of the encounter with the giants, inviting each of the other party members to relay their observations and moments of valor. He pulls out his grimoire and uses his notes for reference and allows her to read the things he has written. He gives her a detailed description of the Stone and it’s magical emanations.
Essendrum also relates the sudden and furious storm and the dead voice of the giant it carried, the words whispered by the Book, and a description of the shadow that passed into the room where the Book is.
Rach listens to Essendrum's briefing occasionally nodding but says nothing. After it is all said and done she accepts your affirmations of willingness to go on this mission. "It may be a bit dangerous." she tells you. "Do you believe you are all prepared to leave now?" she asks. "We have a store here that provides a few things that might help. I know it has a couple of climbing harnesses I think you may need it. From what I am told there are a couple of spots that will require climbing and some athletics to get across."
You hash out what little details she has on the catacombs. She tells you that in the stalls there is a trap door that leads to a ladder and then to a set of stairs. She will provide 2 climbing harnesses, a hammer, 12 pitons, 3 small stones that will glow for 1 hour upon command-it will light up the same as a torch, and finally, a scroll that will open a portal back to this room. The scroll has 1 use and once used the magic it holds will consume it.
"Once you find Dral or his body, use the scroll and bring him back." she tells you. "Do you have everything you need?"
((stopping for anyone who might want to request any supplies. I will post again in the morning))
Essendrum makes a sour face. “I suppose Flint and Enoch can lower me in a harness.” Essendrum will take one or two of the stones and see if he can scare up a couple of conventional torches as well. He suggests Bjorn take charge of the scroll. Finally, he’ll point out that some rope would come in handy.
"Are there any healer's kit's available? Those are always good to have. I have one myself." Bjorn then pauses a moment to think. "Perhaps we should talk about what equipment and skills we have that we can pool."
He puts his backpack on the table and starts sorting the equipment in and on it. He puts down 10 spikes, 2 pitons, hammer and a flask of oil. With an embarrassed look, he places a set of thieves' tools along with the other gear. "I dabble a bit with locks and locksmithing."
He then clears his throat and continues on, "Also, I can create illusionary images at will." He then creates a wall stone wall hiding him for a moment, the wall disappears and Bjorn is now standing next to another Spike the Dwarf. It then fades away and the cleric continues on. "It is very useful for creating concealment and I'll teach you how to see through it to give you advantage in battle."
"Perhaps we should talk about what equipment and skills we have that we can pool."
Enoch nodded at this, then waited for Bjorn to finish. They'd known each other for a few days now, but hadn't really filled each other in on strengths and weaknesses.
When the cleric was finished, he cleared his throat. "Well, I think it's obvious I'm a paladin," he began, "so of course I can sense evil, heal, and cast a few divine spells. And I learned Celestial too--I figured I might as well.
"As far as equipment goes, I have some rope, several torches... really, just the usual adventuring gear and spell components. Oh! And a bit of holy water, and material to make more." He laid out two flasks onto the table. "I hope we don't encounter undead or anything else these are useful for, but you never know, so if anyone wants to have one just in case... feel free!"
The young man scratched his chin stubble as he thought, then he reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of platinum rings. "This might also be useful for anyone who, ah--" He tried his best not to look Essendrum's way. "--might need a bit of extra defense. You wear one ring, I wear the other, and I can cast a spell granting you a bit of divine protection for an hour." He then flushed a bit, as he added, "although we'll have to wait until morning to head out if we're going to make use of the rings, so... maybe that's not as useful as I thought."
He then smiled as he finished, "Still, it's an option!"
Essendrum peers sternly at Enoch. “My dear boy, I see you eyeing me like a fragile teacup. First, my magical defenses kept me alive when a giant hurled a spiked Dwarf into my gut! Second, I am here to offer advice and handle magical threats: I certainly won’t be wading into a sword fight. If the opportunity arises I suggest you give the ring to Kiza. She is more likely to find herself in sudden peril, given her hit-and-run tactics. My tactics lean more to the ‘run’ end of the spectrum.”
He harrumphs.
”The thought is appreciated though. And when it comes to climbing, I will be happy to be lifted like a dainty teacup from its saucer. Sadly, I agree we should not sleep the night, tired as I am.”
”Ah, well, ye saw my bag o’ tricks during the fight with the fire giant,” says Spike, “that’s pretty much what I have, those these flying boots will come in extra useful if we get in a tight spot underground.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Rach goes about her business while the party confers with one another. At the end of it all the elf is able to provide you with 2 healer's kits on top of the other items she has given. If pressed she will advise that she has nothing else to provide to assist you.
When Essendrumstates "Sadly, I agree we should not sleep the night, tired as I am." she takes it as the party is ready to go. "If you will follow me I will show you the entrance you will be using." she tells you and turns and leads the party out of the inn. Upon leaving the Inn the party finds night has fallen. It is a clear starlit night and Selune is full and bright with many of her "Tears" visible to the naked eye. A cool breeze passes through the party as Rach leads you to the stables at the far end of the Inn. Inside the Stables you find a few horses here eating and sleeping, tied to various posts. The 2 mules that you came with turn and look at you with indifference and return to their feasting on clover hay. Rach leads you to the back of the stable and through a door, into a back room. The room is 10 ft. x 20 ft. and a bit cramped for the party but you are all able to make it inside. "This entrance is the only one we know of but we suspect there are a few others that dot the land." she tells you. "If you come out at any other point, make haste back to the Inn with word of your success for failure." With that, she moves a couple of bails of hay and bags of barley to reveal a trap door underneath. She has to enlist Flint and Enoch's help to pull open the trap door which is made of thick wood and stone revealing a downward tunnel with a ladder attached to the north wall of it. There is a slight rush of air into the new opening then all is calm. "Dral was supposed to return within 4 days, that was a week ago. I will give you 5 days then will have to give you up for dead. Hopefully, the Harpers will take an interest by then and send a party that can retrieve Dral and your bodies as well." she tells you. "Good luck to you." With that Rach leaves you to your task. -Eager to begin, the party moves forward. DM: I need a climbing order/marching order and an Athletics check from everyone.
Bjorn quips in as they are leaving, "I forgot to mention that I also have 50" of silk rope and I also have 50' of hemp in my saddle bag. Though it gets quite burdensome, but it is an option if someone wants to bring the hemp one."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Spike:
Having carefully strapped one of the climbing harnesses over his spiked armor, Spike anchors a coil of rope to one of the hooks for quick release if necessary.
”I will go next,” says Spike.
Athletics: 15
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Essendrum asks Bjorn to use his guidance spell to assist and to hold the rope as he goes goes down. He dons a harness and uses the rope and anchors Spike used, attempting to copy him as best he can.
18
Guidance bonus: 2
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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Spike:
”We have a tale to tell of fire giants and their attack on Triboar to dig for an odd black stone. We were asked to warn Dral and perhaps even procure a giant killing weapon from a nearby ally if we could,” says Spike, “but now you tell us our contact is lost or missing in the catacombs?”
Sighing, Spike says, “Well, if Dral is in need of rescuing, I’ll help—but someone needs to secure that evil book before it convinces someone to pick it up an do Hades knows what with it!”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
The vision had shaken Enoch; it was the strongest registration of evil he had encountered since becoming a paladin. Now finally, as he makes sense of everything, he sighs and speaks.
"You're right, Spike. That room has been desecrated, and the book is a locus of evil of a magnitude I've not seen before." He closed his eyes and shook his head while muttering about the poor man who had burst into flames, then looked at Rach and continued.
"Unfortunately, I think keeping watch over the room is the best we can do for now; you've been wise in your response. And with something of that nature, we will definitely be willing to assist." Now seeming a bit less rattled, his smile returned, just slightly, and he looked around at his companions. "So then, are we ready for a bit of spelunking?" The way he enunciated the last word, one might have gotten the distinct impression that he just enjoyed saying it.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Bjorn gazes at the books with great interest. "Oh, but for a fortnight of time to go through these librahams." He mutters out loud. He says to the group, "I'm all for rescuing a fellow scholar. You can count me in, whatever the reward."
Cats go Moo!
As each of the party members makes their statement, Rach nods and smiles. Once done she says:
"For those of you that desire to go through my library I am willing to allow you to spend a week in my library and what knowledge you gain is yours. As for gold, I can offer 5 gold per day and 500 gold for the group, at the completion of the task."
She pauses for a moment then says.
"Are these terms acceptable?" she asks.
After a moment she she will say.
"Tell me about your encounter of Giants?"
Essendrum nods. “Those terms are acceptable.” He proceeds to provide her a detailed account of his observations of the encounter with the giants, inviting each of the other party members to relay their observations and moments of valor. He pulls out his grimoire and uses his notes for reference and allows her to read the things he has written. He gives her a detailed description of the Stone and it’s magical emanations.
Essendrum also relates the sudden and furious storm and the dead voice of the giant it carried, the words whispered by the Book, and a description of the shadow that passed into the room where the Book is.
"I am in agreement with you. I will take the job. Just direct us to the catacombs" says Kiza
Rach listens to Essendrum's briefing occasionally nodding but says nothing. After it is all said and done she accepts your affirmations of willingness to go on this mission.
"It may be a bit dangerous." she tells you.
"Do you believe you are all prepared to leave now?" she asks. "We have a store here that provides a few things that might help. I know it has a couple of climbing harnesses I think you may need it. From what I am told there are a couple of spots that will require climbing and some athletics to get across."
You hash out what little details she has on the catacombs. She tells you that in the stalls there is a trap door that leads to a ladder and then to a set of stairs. She will provide 2 climbing harnesses, a hammer, 12 pitons, 3 small stones that will glow for 1 hour upon command-it will light up the same as a torch, and finally, a scroll that will open a portal back to this room. The scroll has 1 use and once used the magic it holds will consume it.
"Once you find Dral or his body, use the scroll and bring him back." she tells you.
"Do you have everything you need?"
((stopping for anyone who might want to request any supplies. I will post again in the morning))
Spike:
“Works for me,” agrees Spike, “I’m not afraid of a bit of climbing and such. Anything else we should be aware of lurking below?”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Essendrum makes a sour face. “I suppose Flint and Enoch can lower me in a harness.” Essendrum will take one or two of the stones and see if he can scare up a couple of conventional torches as well. He suggests Bjorn take charge of the scroll. Finally, he’ll point out that some rope would come in handy.
"Are there any healer's kit's available? Those are always good to have. I have one myself." Bjorn then pauses a moment to think. "Perhaps we should talk about what equipment and skills we have that we can pool."
He puts his backpack on the table and starts sorting the equipment in and on it. He puts down 10 spikes, 2 pitons, hammer and a flask of oil. With an embarrassed look, he places a set of thieves' tools along with the other gear. "I dabble a bit with locks and locksmithing."
He then clears his throat and continues on, "Also, I can create illusionary images at will." He then creates a wall stone wall hiding him for a moment, the wall disappears and Bjorn is now standing next to another Spike the Dwarf. It then fades away and the cleric continues on. "It is very useful for creating concealment and I'll teach you how to see through it to give you advantage in battle."
Cats go Moo!
Spike:
”Fine looking fella,” says Spike with a smirk…
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Enoch nodded at this, then waited for Bjorn to finish. They'd known each other for a few days now, but hadn't really filled each other in on strengths and weaknesses.
When the cleric was finished, he cleared his throat. "Well, I think it's obvious I'm a paladin," he began, "so of course I can sense evil, heal, and cast a few divine spells. And I learned Celestial too--I figured I might as well.
"As far as equipment goes, I have some rope, several torches... really, just the usual adventuring gear and spell components. Oh! And a bit of holy water, and material to make more." He laid out two flasks onto the table. "I hope we don't encounter undead or anything else these are useful for, but you never know, so if anyone wants to have one just in case... feel free!"
The young man scratched his chin stubble as he thought, then he reached into his bag and pulled out a pair of platinum rings. "This might also be useful for anyone who, ah--" He tried his best not to look Essendrum's way. "--might need a bit of extra defense. You wear one ring, I wear the other, and I can cast a spell granting you a bit of divine protection for an hour." He then flushed a bit, as he added, "although we'll have to wait until morning to head out if we're going to make use of the rings, so... maybe that's not as useful as I thought."
He then smiled as he finished, "Still, it's an option!"
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
"Well by now you know what I am capable of as I have a bit of magic. Locks and Stealth are my forte." says Kiza
Essendrum peers sternly at Enoch. “My dear boy, I see you eyeing me like a fragile teacup. First, my magical defenses kept me alive when a giant hurled a spiked Dwarf into my gut! Second, I am here to offer advice and handle magical threats: I certainly won’t be wading into a sword fight. If the opportunity arises I suggest you give the ring to Kiza. She is more likely to find herself in sudden peril, given her hit-and-run tactics. My tactics lean more to the ‘run’ end of the spectrum.”
He harrumphs.
”The thought is appreciated though. And when it comes to climbing, I will be happy to be lifted like a dainty teacup from its saucer. Sadly, I agree we should not sleep the night, tired as I am.”
Spike:
”Ah, well, ye saw my bag o’ tricks during the fight with the fire giant,” says Spike, “that’s pretty much what I have, those these flying boots will come in extra useful if we get in a tight spot underground.”
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Rach goes about her business while the party confers with one another.
At the end of it all the elf is able to provide you with 2 healer's kits on top of the other items she has given.
If pressed she will advise that she has nothing else to provide to assist you.
When Essendrum states "Sadly, I agree we should not sleep the night, tired as I am." she takes it as the party is ready to go.
"If you will follow me I will show you the entrance you will be using." she tells you and turns and leads the party out of the inn.
Upon leaving the Inn the party finds night has fallen. It is a clear starlit night and Selune is full and bright with many of her "Tears" visible to the naked eye.
A cool breeze passes through the party as Rach leads you to the stables at the far end of the Inn.
Inside the Stables you find a few horses here eating and sleeping, tied to various posts.
The 2 mules that you came with turn and look at you with indifference and return to their feasting on clover hay.
Rach leads you to the back of the stable and through a door, into a back room.
The room is 10 ft. x 20 ft. and a bit cramped for the party but you are all able to make it inside.
"This entrance is the only one we know of but we suspect there are a few others that dot the land." she tells you. "If you come out at any other point, make haste back to the Inn with word of your success for failure."
With that, she moves a couple of bails of hay and bags of barley to reveal a trap door underneath. She has to enlist Flint and Enoch's help to pull open the trap door which is made of thick wood and stone revealing a downward tunnel with a ladder attached to the north wall of it. There is a slight rush of air into the new opening then all is calm.
"Dral was supposed to return within 4 days, that was a week ago. I will give you 5 days then will have to give you up for dead. Hopefully, the Harpers will take an interest by then and send a party that can retrieve Dral and your bodies as well." she tells you. "Good luck to you."
With that Rach leaves you to your task.
-Eager to begin, the party moves forward.
DM:
I need a climbing order/marching order and an Athletics check from everyone.
((Athletics Check: 11 ))
Enoch will offer to climb down first and take the lead at the front of the line.
Sterling - V. Human Bard 3 (College of Art) - [Pic] - [Traits] - in Bards: Dragon Heist (w/ Mansion) - Jasper's [Pic] - Sterling's [Sigil]
Tooltips Post (2024 PHB updates) - incl. General Rules
>> New FOW threat & treasure tables: fow-advanced-threat-tables.pdf fow-advanced-treasure-table.pdf
Bjorn awaits for the marching order.
Cats go Moo!
Spike:
Having carefully strapped one of the climbing harnesses over his spiked armor, Spike anchors a coil of rope to one of the hooks for quick release if necessary.
”I will go next,” says Spike.
Athletics: 15
Gerrard Feldren - Human Noble in Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Kerric Brightblade - Elven Warrior in "Apocalypse"
Essendrum asks Bjorn to use his guidance spell to assist and to hold the rope as he goes goes down. He dons a harness and uses the rope and anchors Spike used, attempting to copy him as best he can.
18
Guidance bonus: 2