Dev lands softly, a red autumn leaf drifting aloft then lightly kissing the earth, and in his new hiding place he blinks in disbelief, but his confident grin somehow remains in place. That was risky. Better make it worthwhile. He tabulates what little he knows about his situation.
He knows that the Cerberus Assembly members are here seeking a prize. And Udo. That’s what they said. There he is, Udo. But where is the prize? What is the prize?
Dev takes careful note of his surroundings.
-Is there anything down here that could be “the prize“?
And also, more generally..,
-How many levels below his companions is he?
-How many levels below the Dwendallians?
-How far down is he, in yards & feet?
-How many shape-stealers did Dev count on the way down?
-How much farther down does the shaft go?
-The shape-stealer de Rollo said they were from the Abyss. Does this shaft go down to the Abyss (whatever that is)? I.e., does it just keep going, getting hotter & hotter?
Dev lands softly, a red autumn leaf drifting aloft then lightly kissing the earth, and in his new hiding place he blinks in disbelief, but his confident grin somehow remains in place. That was risky. Better make it worthwhile. He tabulates what little he knows about his situation.
He knows that the Cerberus Assembly members are here seeking a prize. And Udo. That’s what they said. There he is, Udo. But where is the prize? What is the prize?
Dev takes careful note of his surroundings.
-Is there anything down here that could be “the prize“? Nothing that seems obvious....
And also, more generally..,
-How many levels below his companions is he? Approximately 10 by his count.
-How many levels below the Dwendallians? Approximately 8-7 by his count.
-How far down is he, in yards & feet? 100-120 yards....hard to tell exactly....
-How many shape-stealers did Dev count on the way down? Probably a dozen or so but some levels were heavily obscured by banks of crystals.
-How much farther down does the shaft go? Looking down there are maybe another 5 levels before the bottom......which is kind of just a reddish heat haze from this perspective.
-The shape-stealer de Rollo said they were from the Abyss. Does this shaft go down to the Abyss (whatever that is)? I.e., does it just keep going, getting hotter & hotter? Peering through the heat haze below he can see a metal grid work or lattice at the base of the shaft, a huge series of blades spins underneath it forcing hot air up the shaft. On the level just above it are a series of displays and panels, the only ones he has seen for the last 7 or so levels.
'I should have gone down farther,' the tiefling thinks, and begins to plan how he will do so. 'There are too many of the shapeshifters here. I need a distraction. And I need to let Lokilia and Quinn and Normont know that I made it.'
Taking up his pan pipes, the bard blows a few notes -- mere whispers – and from one of the gantries above above him (30’ to be exact, perhaps 2 levels?) a happy music begins to echo up and down the shaft.
A B C, It's easy as
1 2 3, as simple as
do re mi, A B C, 1 2 3
baby you and me girl
Dev then settles into place, careful to remain hidden, silent, and watchful.
Quinn slashed across once more seperating the head of his mentor from her shoulders, as the body slumped to the floor it became a familiar slick grey-black form...Quinn was too far away to make it past the poisonous cloud before it cut off escape. Normont and Lokilia were close enough and now unopposed that they could attempt it if they wished.
The shapeshifter that looked like Devs father flickered and took on the form of Magnus before it climbed quickly over the edge of the gantry and vanished from sight.
.............................
Far, far below the three creatures tormenting Udo suddenly looked up sharply as they heard music above and immediately began climbing the metal framework to try and locate the source...
Normont breathes a sigh relief and manages to say a quick, "Thanks", as his shoulders droop a bit and blood can be seen on his clothing.
He then rushes to look over the side, "Nuts and bolts what was Dev thinking separating us like that". He looks to the exit slowly disappearing behind the poisonous cloud and then back to Quinn and the giant spider that is Lokilia.
"I guess we have to follow Dev and get him back now", he says, setting himself for what he believes will likely be a suicide mission.
"Fly down, stay as far from any surface as you can, and blast anything you know is one of these shadow creatures", he says to Amber in Gnomish. Amber obediently follows those orders, flying off over the edge and down.
Normont heads over to Quinn, readies his pistol and nods for Quinn to lead the way. He can't be caught up close again if they wanted to survive.
Normont
Movement: Over to stand behind Quinn, letting him lead the way down Action: Ready - he will fire at any hostile Bonus Action: Command Amber
Amber
Movement: Over the side and down, staying away from walls. Action: She will attack if she spots an obvious enemy (let me know)
Normont readies with the others to descend as Amber slowly makes her way down noting a number of the creatures ( 4) that had been burned by the wizard below were slowly climbing up the interior walls towards her master and the others.
( Amber may make an attack. These critters are extremely wounded from the fireball and a single point of damage will kill them.)
Below the red skinned flying creature looked up from where it fluttered above its mistresses shoulder towards Amber and whispered to Mathilda.
" Ja, dat ist und interesting toy....simply observe for now, Klein Flugl.", as she descended into the depths via the stairs....
Giant Spider Lokilia, assuming she's free of other assailant, will start moving down the stairs. Where possible, she'll move along the walls. She looks for further targets while leading the way for Normont and Quinn.
Amber sends a bolt of energy at one of the creatures scaling the up wall, the one closest to reaching the top.
Reaction: Force Strike - To Hit: 7+4=11, Damage: 2+2=4 [force]
Ambers bolt hits the metal framework rather than the climbing creature but it still stops climbing and ducks into the level it is passing looking for shelter.
Giant Spider Lokilia, assuming she's free of other assailant, will start moving down the stairs. Where possible, she'll move along the walls. She looks for further targets while leading the way for Normont and Quinn.
Dev, hidden on the gantry opposite Ubo, not too far above an unexplored lower level of screens, nods in satisfaction as the shape-shifters fall for his distraction.
‘Good… keep going, you boogers,’ he mutters, still disgusted by the creatures upstairs having worn the visages of Magnus and his parents. The teen tiefling takes a deep breath to put them out of his mind, and focuses on what comes next. Remaining hidden at first, Dev creeps closer to Ubo, careful to remain out of view of the shape-shifters. He remembers that Ubo has been described as “mad,” and his behavior so far has been as crazy as the young bard has ever seen. But his heart goes out to the man. ‘I’d go crazy in this place too. We have to get him out of here.’
Dev moves to within 20’ of Ubo before removing his hood and addressing him, just loudly enough to be heard but not loud enough for the shape-shifters above to hear him. Knowing this conversation might be an uphill battle, Dev keeps his eyes from sparkling and his voice carries sincerity and a desire to help.
“Are you Mr. Ubo? Your friends are here to rescue you. Frau Mathilda and Mr. Jurgen. Upstairs. Don’t you want to leave?”
Dev, hidden on the gantry opposite Ubo, not too far above an unexplored lower level of screens, nods in satisfaction as the shape-shifters fall for his distraction.
‘Good… keep going, you boogers,’ he mutters, still disgusted by the creatures upstairs having worn the visages of Magnus and his parents. The teen tiefling takes a deep breath to put them out of his mind, and focuses on what comes next. Remaining hidden at first, Dev creeps closer to Ubo, careful to remain out of view of the shape-shifters. He remembers that Ubo has been described as “mad,” and his behavior so far has been as crazy as the young bard has ever seen. But his heart goes out to the man. ‘I’d go crazy in this place too. We have to get him out of here.’
Dev moves to within 20’ of Ubo before removing his hood and addressing him, just loudly enough to be heard but not loud enough for the shape-shifters above to hear him. Knowing this conversation might be an uphill battle, Dev keeps his eyes from sparkling and his voice carries sincerity and a desire to help.
“Are you Mr. Ubo? Your friends are here to rescue you. Frau Mathilda and Mr. Jurgen. Upstairs. Don’t you want to leave?”
Ubo looks around startled before catching sight of Dev....his face takes on a sickly, wistful look and his brow knots, " I don't know you?"
" They come as ones you know....ask questions...find answers,,,,"
" Leave.....impossible....Mathilda? Is she angry?"
Quinn, Normont and the spider that was Lokilia began to advance down the stairs and reached the level below, working their way around towards the next set of stairs....no enemies were in evidence yet....
.............
Below the Dwendalians encountered a small group of the creatures in the forms of their doubles and battle ensued...
.............
The creatures reached the level Dev had targeted with his spell and began prowling around curiously trying to locate the source....
Dev tries to answer Udo’s questions, and asks him some of his own. (Ubo seems to be having an extended dissociative episode, which Dev wants to jar him out of. Or in Dev’s way of thinking, he needs to “snap him out of it.” (Persuasion, 18+5=23))
" They come as ones you know....ask questions...find answers,,,,"
“They? The shape-shifters? I know. It’s…not nice.”
" Leave.....impossible....
“It’s not impossible. The door is open, we just walked in. Why don’t you get away from them, Mr Ubo?”
Mathilda? Is she angry?"
“Yes, your friend, Ms. Mathilda. And I guess she is angry if the charred shape-shifters are any hint to how she feels. But not at you, she just wants to help you.”
"Who are you?"
I’m Dev. My friends and I came from Drynna. You know, on Mooren Lake? I really miss the lake, it’s so pretty and quiet. Wouldn’t you like to get out and see it? You’ve been inside a long time I think, and my ma and pa say it’s real important to breath the fresh air.”
Dev aims a few more notes on his pan pipes to the floor directly above him, hoping to keep the shape-shifters occupied as the song continues, hopefully also a clue to Normont, Quinn, and Lokilia as to Dev’s location.
Giant Spider Lokilia continues to move further down into the tower. If one enemy is encountered, she would attempt to avoid them by moving along walls or the ceiling, to come behind them while affording Quin and Normont a chance to attack. If multiple enemies, she simply attacks the closest. She tries not to get too far ahead of the other two so that they can keep together as they descend to find Dev.
Amber continues trying to clean the path ahead of Normont and the others, sending another bolt of energy at one of the creatures even as Normont follows Lokilia and Quinn further into the structure. He remains wary, his pistol ready to be used at any time.
As he moves he grunts a little in pain, it is obviously he is bloodied by the attacks he suffered.
"We can't withstand attacks from both the creatures and the others that Dwendalions. Perhaps the situation calls for a temporary truce, if they feel the same. Let's not strike the first blow against them, just in case", he says quietly.
Amber
Attack: Force Strike - To Hit: 17+4=21, Damage: 2+2=4 [force]
Dev tries to answer Udo’s questions, and asks him some of his own. (Ubo seems to be having an extended dissociative episode, which Dev wants to jar him out of. Or in Dev’s way of thinking, he needs to “snap him out of it.” (Persuasion, 18+5=23))
" They come as ones you know....ask questions...find answers,,,,"
“They? The shape-shifters? I know. It’s…not nice.”
" Leave.....impossible....
“It’s not impossible. The door is open, we just walked in. Why don’t you get away from them, Mr Ubo?”
Mathilda? Is she angry?"
“Yes, your friend, Ms. Mathilda. And I guess she is angry if the charred shape-shifters are any hint to how she feels. But not at you, she just wants to help you.”
"Who are you?"
I’m Dev. My friends and I came from Drynna. You know, on Mooren Lake? I really miss the lake, it’s so pretty and quiet. Wouldn’t you like to get out and see it? You’ve been inside a long time I think, and my ma and pa say it’s real important to breath the fresh air.”
Dev aims a few more notes on his pan pipes to the floor directly above him, hoping to keep the shape-shifters occupied as the song continues, hopefully also a clue to Normont, Quinn, and Lokilia as to Dev’s location.
I'ma gonna teach how to sing it out!
Come on, come on, come on
Let me show you what it's all about!
Oh, A, B, C
It's easy as 1, 2, 3...
Udo looks very haggard, sleep deprived and more than a little manic but something about Devs voice and words brings him round to a semblance of sanity, he smiles at Dev, " My wife was here...she said the way out was shut....my daughter she fell into the void....no, they are home in Rexxentrum...how can they be here? I do not know your lake."
" Meredith? Oh, she is not here for me...she is here for the Prize. The knowledge locked in this place.....with the secrets here the Assembly could gain enough power to rule uncontested...."
" That was my mission here....where are my people? They.....they threw themselves into the pit....I saw them...I don't know."
For the moment the shape-shifters seemed distracted above....
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Dev lands softly, a red autumn leaf drifting aloft then lightly kissing the earth, and in his new hiding place he blinks in disbelief, but his confident grin somehow remains in place. That was risky. Better make it worthwhile. He tabulates what little he knows about his situation.
He knows that the Cerberus Assembly members are here seeking a prize. And Udo. That’s what they said. There he is, Udo. But where is the prize? What is the prize?
Dev takes careful note of his surroundings.
-Is there anything down here that could be “the prize“?
And also, more generally..,
-How many levels below his companions is he?
-How many levels below the Dwendallians?
-How far down is he, in yards & feet?
-How many shape-stealers did Dev count on the way down?
-How much farther down does the shaft go?
-The shape-stealer de Rollo said they were from the Abyss. Does this shaft go down to the Abyss (whatever that is)? I.e., does it just keep going, getting hotter & hotter?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
2
Summary.
'I should have gone down farther,' the tiefling thinks, and begins to plan how he will do so. 'There are too many of the shapeshifters here. I need a distraction. And I need to let Lokilia and Quinn and Normont know that I made it.'
Taking up his pan pipes, the bard blows a few notes -- mere whispers – and from one of the gantries above above him (30’ to be exact, perhaps 2 levels?) a happy music begins to echo up and down the shaft.
A B C, It's easy as
1 2 3, as simple as
do re mi, A B C, 1 2 3
baby you and me girl
Dev then settles into place, careful to remain hidden, silent, and watchful.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
( Quinn is up)
Quinn will swing once again hoping to make purchase this go around.
Attack: 18
Damage: 8
Quinn slashed across once more seperating the head of his mentor from her shoulders, as the body slumped to the floor it became a familiar slick grey-black form...Quinn was too far away to make it past the poisonous cloud before it cut off escape. Normont and Lokilia were close enough and now unopposed that they could attempt it if they wished.
The shapeshifter that looked like Devs father flickered and took on the form of Magnus before it climbed quickly over the edge of the gantry and vanished from sight.
.............................
Far, far below the three creatures tormenting Udo suddenly looked up sharply as they heard music above and immediately began climbing the metal framework to try and locate the source...
( Normont is up)
Normont breathes a sigh relief and manages to say a quick, "Thanks", as his shoulders droop a bit and blood can be seen on his clothing.
He then rushes to look over the side, "Nuts and bolts what was Dev thinking separating us like that". He looks to the exit slowly disappearing behind the poisonous cloud and then back to Quinn and the giant spider that is Lokilia.
"I guess we have to follow Dev and get him back now", he says, setting himself for what he believes will likely be a suicide mission.
"Fly down, stay as far from any surface as you can, and blast anything you know is one of these shadow creatures", he says to Amber in Gnomish. Amber obediently follows those orders, flying off over the edge and down.
Normont heads over to Quinn, readies his pistol and nods for Quinn to lead the way. He can't be caught up close again if they wanted to survive.
Normont
Movement: Over to stand behind Quinn, letting him lead the way down
Action: Ready - he will fire at any hostile
Bonus Action: Command Amber
Amber
Movement: Over the side and down, staying away from walls.
Action: She will attack if she spots an obvious enemy (let me know)
Normont readies with the others to descend as Amber slowly makes her way down noting a number of the creatures ( 4) that had been burned by the wizard below were slowly climbing up the interior walls towards her master and the others.
( Amber may make an attack. These critters are extremely wounded from the fireball and a single point of damage will kill them.)
Below the red skinned flying creature looked up from where it fluttered above its mistresses shoulder towards Amber and whispered to Mathilda.
" Ja, dat ist und interesting toy....simply observe for now, Klein Flugl.", as she descended into the depths via the stairs....
( Lokilia is up)
Amber sends a bolt of energy at one of the creatures scaling the up wall, the one closest to reaching the top.
Reaction: Force Strike - To Hit: 7+4=11, Damage: 2+2=4 [force]
Giant Spider Lokilia, assuming she's free of other assailant, will start moving down the stairs. Where possible, she'll move along the walls. She looks for further targets while leading the way for Normont and Quinn.
(Reserving attacks, etc. to see what she finds.)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Ambers bolt hits the metal framework rather than the climbing creature but it still stops climbing and ducks into the level it is passing looking for shelter.
Lokilia and Normont prepare to descend...
( Dev is up.)
Dev, hidden on the gantry opposite Ubo, not too far above an unexplored lower level of screens, nods in satisfaction as the shape-shifters fall for his distraction.
‘Good… keep going, you boogers,’ he mutters, still disgusted by the creatures upstairs having worn the visages of Magnus and his parents. The teen tiefling takes a deep breath to put them out of his mind, and focuses on what comes next. Remaining hidden at first, Dev creeps closer to Ubo, careful to remain out of view of the shape-shifters. He remembers that Ubo has been described as “mad,” and his behavior so far has been as crazy as the young bard has ever seen. But his heart goes out to the man. ‘I’d go crazy in this place too. We have to get him out of here.’
Dev moves to within 20’ of Ubo before removing his hood and addressing him, just loudly enough to be heard but not loud enough for the shape-shifters above to hear him. Knowing this conversation might be an uphill battle, Dev keeps his eyes from sparkling and his voice carries sincerity and a desire to help.
“Are you Mr. Ubo? Your friends are here to rescue you. Frau Mathilda and Mr. Jurgen. Upstairs. Don’t you want to leave?”
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Ubo looks around startled before catching sight of Dev....his face takes on a sickly, wistful look and his brow knots, " I don't know you?"
" They come as ones you know....ask questions...find answers,,,,"
" Leave.....impossible....Mathilda? Is she angry?"
" Who are you?"
16
12
( Quinn is up.)
Quinn will move forward reading a dodge action just in case there is another attack.
Quinn, Normont and the spider that was Lokilia began to advance down the stairs and reached the level below, working their way around towards the next set of stairs....no enemies were in evidence yet....
.............
Below the Dwendalians encountered a small group of the creatures in the forms of their doubles and battle ensued...
.............
The creatures reached the level Dev had targeted with his spell and began prowling around curiously trying to locate the source....
( Everyone can post freely for the moment)
Dev tries to answer Udo’s questions, and asks him some of his own. (Ubo seems to be having an extended dissociative episode, which Dev wants to jar him out of. Or in Dev’s way of thinking, he needs to “snap him out of it.” (Persuasion, 18+5=23))
“They? The shape-shifters? I know. It’s…not nice.”
“It’s not impossible. The door is open, we just walked in. Why don’t you get away from them, Mr Ubo?”
“Yes, your friend, Ms. Mathilda. And I guess she is angry if the charred shape-shifters are any hint to how she feels. But not at you, she just wants to help you.”
I’m Dev. My friends and I came from Drynna. You know, on Mooren Lake? I really miss the lake, it’s so pretty and quiet. Wouldn’t you like to get out and see it? You’ve been inside a long time I think, and my ma and pa say it’s real important to breath the fresh air.”
Dev aims a few more notes on his pan pipes to the floor directly above him, hoping to keep the shape-shifters occupied as the song continues, hopefully also a clue to Normont, Quinn, and Lokilia as to Dev’s location.
I'ma gonna teach how to sing it out!
Come on, come on, come on
Let me show you what it's all about!
Oh, A, B, C
It's easy as 1, 2, 3...
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Giant Spider Lokilia continues to move further down into the tower. If one enemy is encountered, she would attempt to avoid them by moving along walls or the ceiling, to come behind them while affording Quin and Normont a chance to attack. If multiple enemies, she simply attacks the closest. She tries not to get too far ahead of the other two so that they can keep together as they descend to find Dev.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Amber continues trying to clean the path ahead of Normont and the others, sending another bolt of energy at one of the creatures even as Normont follows Lokilia and Quinn further into the structure. He remains wary, his pistol ready to be used at any time.
As he moves he grunts a little in pain, it is obviously he is bloodied by the attacks he suffered.
"We can't withstand attacks from both the creatures and the others that Dwendalions. Perhaps the situation calls for a temporary truce, if they feel the same. Let's not strike the first blow against them, just in case", he says quietly.
Amber
Attack: Force Strike - To Hit: 17+4=21, Damage: 2+2=4 [force]
Udo looks very haggard, sleep deprived and more than a little manic but something about Devs voice and words brings him round to a semblance of sanity, he smiles at Dev, " My wife was here...she said the way out was shut....my daughter she fell into the void....no, they are home in Rexxentrum...how can they be here? I do not know your lake."
" Meredith? Oh, she is not here for me...she is here for the Prize. The knowledge locked in this place.....with the secrets here the Assembly could gain enough power to rule uncontested...."
" That was my mission here....where are my people? They.....they threw themselves into the pit....I saw them...I don't know."
For the moment the shape-shifters seemed distracted above....