This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Marten: Round 22
Marten was unnerved by the sight of a skeleton, animated by some arcane energy, walking around and swinging a sword. His shot went awry, and he almost hit Berry!
When Marten was helping Vidruth climb out of the pit a moment ago, he had a moment to recall his words back at the Stonehill Inn. Marten's focus should be
freeing the Phandalin prisoners "near the old crypts"
hopefully capturing Glasstaff so that they could
break up the Redbrands
find out more about the Black Spider.
Marten had hoped this would be a stealth operation, getting in and out without meeting a bunch of Redbrands, but that idea fell apart as soon as one-eye betrayed the party to the Redbrands. The last few minutes had just been a desperate fight to stay alive. They've lost Glasstaff, but Marten realized that after the big fight in the crevasse chamber, they probably have effectively put an end to the Redbrands in Phandalin.
As the last skeleton moves through the door (M1) and out of sight, Marten looks around and realizes where he is. "Near the old crypts." Since Berry and Nosam seem to have the skeletons under control, Marten suddenly worries about the prisoners. Marten runs to the door (Q4), but remembering the surprise attack from the Redbrands in the cistern room, he doesn't open it. Instead, he pounds on the door loudly and says, "Sildar's troop has killed th' others, 'n' Glasstaff just fled. Leave the prisoners, 'n' let's get outta here!" Then he hides behind the nearest sarcophagus in case any Redbrands come out.
Movement: 60' (dashing) to end at Q7 N9 > O9 > O8 > O7 > O6 > P5 >> Q4 (moving diagonally, pounding on door) > P4 > P5 > P6 > P7 > Q7 Action: Dash Bonus Action: Cunning Action, Hide - Stealth14 at Q7 Free Action: Item interaction - pounding on the door, Talking
Cyreon: Move: to N1 / Attack: @SK1: hit: 11 for 5 piercing damage
Vidruth: move x2/ k14 for sure, then if there isnt anything immediately threatening im going to cross to the other side of the crevasse
Marten: move to the door, pound & shout, then hide.
Nosam: Hit 13 (8+5), Damage 10 (7+3)
The last skeleton, though trapped between Nosam and Berry, is slippery for a bundle of dry bones. Berry attempts to slash it, and his blade passes directly through its belly as it turns to clap its teeth menacingly at the tiny barbarian. But since its belly is only a memory, the undead takes no damage.
Nosam’s hammer snaps forward at the skeleton, its parry comes to late, and its rib cage explodes in a rain of curved bone splinters and like a mannequin whose strings are cut, it drops and de-animates.
Marten dives for cover after pounding on the door like a pranking high-schooler. There is no response and nothing happens.
Vidruth enters the crevasse room at a run, surprising and delighting Sildar, who calms Sister Garaele and Crissie with his greeting.
“Vidruth!! I was afraid the ruffians had taken you down, yet you live and breath!—BY ILMATER’S SUFFERING, WHAT NEW FIEND IS THIS!,” he suddenly shouts, for behind him, scraping up the stairs, now comes One-Eye. The potion still works upon the cursed creature just as it does upon Vidruth, offering onlookers randomly shifting grisly revelations of its internal functioning. The creature seems to have lost interest in the laboratory and returned to look out over its lair, and now, a single tear beads up in its single oculus. “So much fresh meat!,” it whispers in hushed awe.
We now drop out of initiative, as all enemy combatants have been defeated. Indeed…
You have driven Glasstaff and his Redbrands from Phandalin! (Hoot!)
All may post & RP in any order. (Instruction: Do not rush through multiple actions or post multiple options. I want you to go one step at a time.)
vidruth grimly looks to sildar "how many?" he asks "how many died?" as he speaks he watches one eye slightly warily, but without much fear, the fallen mage seems busy and therefore not much of an immediate threat
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
vidruth grimly looks to sildar "how many?" he asks "how many died?" as he speaks he watches one eye slightly warily, but without much fear, the fallen mage seems busy and therefore not much of an immediate threat
Sildar answers in a grim tone, approaching Sister Garaele, Crissie, and the unmoving forms of your companions. “Sir Kiselina and Sister Daphyra… are badly hurt, unconscious, and Sister Garaele was unable to revive them.” He holds the half-orc’s eyes. “But you mustn’t lose hope. Her wisdom treads back centuries. She says that in her home she has potent remedies.
Now at the elf’s side, her striking all-blue eyes casting their own expression of sorrow, the priestess of Tymora nods to Crissie and Sildar, and the pair hoist up Daphyra and Kiselina and carry them out of the cavern into the southern tunnel and toward town.
After waiting a moment, Marten assumes that any guards must have already left. Then he worried that perhaps they took the poor prisoners with them. He stows his bow, takes out his shortsword, and then opens the door (at Q4) and looks through.
Not wanting to leave Marten(and Vidruth for all he knows) alone, Berry turned back after defeating the skeleton. He is worried that more enemies might hide in dark corners and they shouldn’t go around alone here until they’ve made sure the area is secured. “I’m right behind you, Marten,” he says and offers, “Or I can enter first, if you wish.”
Nosam takes a deep breath, collects himself, and begins following Berry. "Good to see you boys again without all the fightin' and whatnot. We getting out of here and headin' back to town or do we have more rooms to clear?"
The door opens to a long room which is partitioned into three areas, with iron bars walling off prison cells at the north and south ends. Filthy straw lines the floors of those cells, the hinged doors of which are secured by chains and padlocks. A pair of disheveled human women are held in the cell to the south, while a human boy is confined to the north. All are dressed in filthy rags, smell as if they have not bathed in some time, and have iron collars fitted around their bruised necks.
They huddle in silent fear in the farthest corners of their cells, saying nothing, not daring to meet your eyes. The women hold each other in an iron embrace, watching your movements out of the corner of their eyes, while the boy hugs his knees facing the corner.
A heap of discarded clothing is piled carelessly against the far wall in the area between the cells.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Marten scans the room and then looks to Berry and Nosam, "The family of the woodcarver! Thel Drandrar. Thank the gods that the Glasstaff didn't take 'em when he fled!" He sheaths his shortsword in obvious agitation at the sight of the collared people. He glances at the women but only manages a weak smile and a nod. Then starts untying his red cloak as he scans the room for any sign of keys to open the cells. Perception11
“How you know who they are? Well, anyway, let’s get them out,” says Berry and goes to help Marten to find the key or to open the locks another way. “You look awful,” he addresses the prisoners, “What have they done to you? Come, you need some food… and a good bath.”
“Nosam, can you ask Sildar and the others to wait up a bit and take them prisoners along? I’d like to check this place out some more but I don’t want them to have to be any longer in this place.”
“Nosam, can you ask Sildar and the others to wait up a bit and take them prisoners along? I’d like to check this place out some more but I don’t want them to have to be any longer in this place.”
"Absolutely, I think they are still near the crevasse?" Nosam backtracks the way he came and back towards the large room and calls out, "Sildar, you still in here?"
Movement- Dash full movement backtracking to the main room (50 ft)
vidruth keeps a stern watch on one-eye the whole time, giving half of his attention to nosam and sildar, but never looking away from the nothic, who he still doesnt trust. after all, how can you trust someone who changes goals in moments? "nosam, one eye is temporarily an ally, or at worst a neutral party" he explains, making sure nobody makes the mistake of attacking him, at least not on such even standing
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic byVitaly S Alexius
The older woman, looking guardedly from Marten to Berry, at first seems unable to comprehend what is happening, yet her eye and the glance of the two children, particularly dwells on the red cloak Marten is wearing. Their faces harden, the boy turns back to the corner, and though they exchange glances, no one speaks for a long moment.
“Of course we look terrible. This what you lot did to us,” the mother says emotionlessly. “We haven’t eaten yet today. At least can the children have something?” Her voice drops to a whisper. “Please?”
The cell doors are locked with large padlocks, and the key is not to be seen, though the bars seem old and rusted and could perhaps be broken or bent somehow.
Nosam is able to catch up with Sildar and the others in the dark tunnel. “We will wait here,” he says, and Crissie carefully lowers Kiselina with a grunt.
As Vidruth watches, the strange creature does a little happy dance, and whistles tunelessly, climbing into the crevasse, organizing the bodies, and pulling those on the ledge down into its lair, cupping its ear waiting to hear each body land with a crunch. The voice of one of the drunk Redbrands who fell into the crevasse earlier, and who had fallen asleep, drifts up. “I’m not dead yet!,” but the sound is so weak and the crevasse seems to defeat acoustics, and no one hears it except for One-Eye, who does not seem concerned, and indeed, merely chuckles merrily.
"We?" Berry gasps in surprise at the accusations before he catches up. He glances at Marten, "He's not one of them Redbrand lot. And me neither. We've been looking for you to get you out. Haven't we, Marten?" he requests confirmation from Marten with a faltering voice, because he hadn't expected to be treated any other than the welcome sight of a saviour.
Berry left his backpack somewhere in the crevasse chamber when all the fighting started, he remembered, with all his rations. Maybe he could get them and offer some to them? "Can you open those locks, Marten? I could try to bend some of these bars but I need some tool for that. Perhaps, Nosam or Sildar brought a crowbar, or I find something useful in that storage space."
Berry waits for Marten's confirmation and input and then dashes behind Nosam to ask for a tool, help, or both, to bend the bars. "Hey Nosam! Do you carry a crowbar or somethin'? We might need to force some prison bars open to free a lady and her kids.Or do you have an idea where we might find the key to the prison cells?" He directs at One-Eye in a sudden moment of lucidity. "You would do well to help us after your stunt with the initial attacks," he offers half threatening, half offering a way for redemption.
Marten stares blankly at the woman, not understanding at first, as he finishes untying the red cloak. He lets the cloak drop to the floor as Berry responds. "That's right, Berry!", he says. Then, looking at the woman: "Don' worry, Mrs. Dendrar, ma'am. You're safe now. I took that cloak from one o' th' Redbrands we dealt with this mornin' when they tried t' meddle with Stonehill." He tries to be reassuring, (Persuasion6, in game log) but between the red cloak and his blood-stained armor, he's probably not the best messenger.
Marten is already starting to get out his tools when Berry suggests opening the locks. He says, "Yep, I'll try," and as Berry leaves the room, he calls, "Sure 'n' Vidruth -- or maybe Nosam? -- definitely had a crowbar."
Marten picks the lock on the women's cell first (Thieves' Tools24, in game log). Once he opens that lock, he swings their cell door open with a curt nod and then gets to work on the lock of the boy's cell (Thieves' Tools14, in game log).
"We?" Berry gasps in surprise at the accusations before he catches up. He glances at Marten, "He's not one of them Redbrand lot. And me neither. We've been looking for you to get you out. Haven't we, Marten?" he requests confirmation from Marten with a faltering voice, because he hadn't expected to be treated any other than the welcome sight of a saviour.
Berry left his backpack somewhere in the crevasse chamber when all the fighting started, he remembered, with all his rations. Maybe he could get them and offer some to them? "Can you open those locks, Marten? I could try to bend some of these bars but I need some tool for that. Perhaps, Nosam or Sildar brought a crowbar, or I find something useful in that storage space."
Berry waits for Marten's confirmation and input and then dashes behind Nosam to ask for a tool, help, or both, to bend the bars. "Hey Nosam! Do you carry a crowbar or somethin'? We might need to force some prison bars open to free a lady and her kids.Or do you have an idea where we might find the key to the prison cells?" He directs at One-Eye in a sudden moment of lucidity. "You would do well to help us after your stunt with the initial attacks," he offers half threatening, half offering a way for redemption.
"Certainly do." Nosam hands over his crowbar to Berry. "Do you need any extra rations for the kiddos? We have to get them out of this mess, especially since Sildar can take a group of 'em."
"He's not one of them Redbrand lot. And me neither. We've been looking for you to get you out. Haven't we, Marten?"
"That's right, Berry!", he says. Then, looking at the woman: "Don' worry, Mrs. Dendrar, ma'am. You're safe now. I took that cloak from one o' th' Redbrands we dealt with this mornin' when they tried t' meddle with Stonehill." (Persuasion 6)
Ah, now. Now the eyes of the hopeless begin to fill with a light that the death of a husband and father followed by long fearful days in captivity had extinguished utterly: a flickering of Hope! The boy turns suddenly, his face still a mask, but now looking at the soft-spoken rogue and the tiny giant lit by that same light, hope!, and the carpenter’s wife and daughter sit up straighter moment by moment, realeasing each other to make room for — can it be?… the embrace of freedom?
A minute later breath held by all, and a soft Clack! accompanies the release of the lock on the women’s cell door, which swings open, and the pair stand, dizzy from the sudden motion.
“You… you came for us. I.. I’m sorry about what I said, they’ve been coming and going… every few days new men join them. Seem to be no shortage of cruelty in the world to send so many running to answer the call. We’re not even the first or the only ones they took. They said there have been at least a dozen. People they took on the road, then sold as slaves to the brothels and galleys in Waterdeep. They planned to take us there tomorrow.” Hot tears of relief now stream down her face as her daughter steps out of the cell.
The boy stands now, holding the bars of his own cell with trepidation and awe, and although the lock is beyond Marten’s ability to crack, soon Nosam and Berry come with rations — which the three fall upon, gratefully but plainly starving — and a crowbar.
(Let’s have STR or Athletics rolls from Nosam & Berry to open the second cell, DC 22, with advantage due to the crowbar.)
One-Eye, under Vidruth’s watchful er, eye, ignores Berry, its focus entirely upon its gruesome gustatory windfall.
Fuelled by exactly the sentiment that inspires a triplet of devastated-turned-hopeful souls that look up to you for their salvation, Berry summons a strength, that seems as if it must be coming from some other source than what the small stature of the young fairy rightfully should be able to muster. He fixes the crowbar in a spot at the bottom of one bar that is near the wall, that he thinks might be softened by some occasional water leakage, or other liquids? Whatever... he discards the thought. He fixes the crowbar and leans against it with all his weight (which isn't much) and pushes himself up nearly vertical, with his feet pressed against the wall and his entire tiny body straining and the bar creaking...
A minute later breath held by all, and a soft Clack! accompanies the release of the lock on the women’s cell door, which swings open, and the pair stand, dizzy from the sudden motion.
“You… you came for us. I.. I’m sorry about what I said, they’ve been coming and going… every few days new men join them. Seem to be no shortage of cruelty in the world to send so many running to answer the call. We’re not even the first or the only ones they took. They said there have been at least a dozen. People they took on the road, then sold as slaves to the brothels and galleys in Waterdeep. They planned to take us there tomorrow.” Hot tears of relief now stream down her face as her daughter steps out of the cell.
Marten gives an embarrassed nod to acknowledge her thanks. He looks away from her tears and focuses on the other cell's lock. While he works, he says, "Don' worry, ma'am. You've been through an ordeal, 'n' that's puttin' it lightly. Sister Garaele 'n' Crissie are here. They'll take care of you once we get your son out."
The boy stands now, holding the bars of his own cell with trepidation and awe, and although the lock is beyond Marten’s ability to crack, soon Nosam and Berry come with rations — which the three fall upon, gratefully but plainly starving — and a crowbar.
Thwarted by the second lock, Marten steps back to make room for Berry and Nosam. He finds it hard to look at the starved people ravenously eating their first full meal. Wanting something to do, he says, "I'll be right back." Marten steps out of the room and returns to the pit to retrieve his rope. He returns to the sarcophagus room to coil up the rope and stow it away. If Marten and Berry are still not done, he searches the sarcophagus room while he waits to see whether there's anything else of interest here now that they've defeated the undead.
Marten: Round 22
Marten was unnerved by the sight of a skeleton, animated by some arcane energy, walking around and swinging a sword. His shot went awry, and he almost hit Berry!
When Marten was helping Vidruth climb out of the pit a moment ago, he had a moment to recall his words back at the Stonehill Inn. Marten's focus should be
Marten had hoped this would be a stealth operation, getting in and out without meeting a bunch of Redbrands, but that idea fell apart as soon as one-eye betrayed the party to the Redbrands. The last few minutes had just been a desperate fight to stay alive. They've lost Glasstaff, but Marten realized that after the big fight in the crevasse chamber, they probably have effectively put an end to the Redbrands in Phandalin.
As the last skeleton moves through the door (M1) and out of sight, Marten looks around and realizes where he is. "Near the old crypts." Since Berry and Nosam seem to have the skeletons under control, Marten suddenly worries about the prisoners. Marten runs to the door (Q4), but remembering the surprise attack from the Redbrands in the cistern room, he doesn't open it. Instead, he pounds on the door loudly and says, "Sildar's troop has killed th' others, 'n' Glasstaff just fled. Leave the prisoners, 'n' let's get outta here!" Then he hides behind the nearest sarcophagus in case any Redbrands come out.
Movement: 60' (dashing) to end at Q7
N9 > O9 > O8 > O7 > O6 > P5 >> Q4 (moving diagonally, pounding on door) > P4 > P5 > P6 > P7 > Q7
Action: Dash
Bonus Action: Cunning Action, Hide - Stealth 14 at Q7
Free Action: Item interaction - pounding on the door, Talking
Nosam sees the end is near for the skeleton, especially now that the others are near. He swings again.
Movement- stays right next to the skeleton
Attack- Hit 13 (8+5), Damage 10 (7+3)
Round 23 Results
Cyreon: Move: to N1 / Attack: @SK1: hit: 11 for 5 piercing damage
Vidruth: move x2/ k14 for sure, then if there isnt anything immediately threatening im going to cross to the other side of the crevasse
Marten: move to the door, pound & shout, then hide.
Nosam: Hit 13 (8+5), Damage 10 (7+3)
The last skeleton, though trapped between Nosam and Berry, is slippery for a bundle of dry bones. Berry attempts to slash it, and his blade passes directly through its belly as it turns to clap its teeth menacingly at the tiny barbarian. But since its belly is only a memory, the undead takes no damage.
Nosam’s hammer snaps forward at the skeleton, its parry comes to late, and its rib cage explodes in a rain of curved bone splinters and like a mannequin whose strings are cut, it drops and de-animates.
Marten dives for cover after pounding on the door like a pranking high-schooler. There is no response and nothing happens.
Vidruth enters the crevasse room at a run, surprising and delighting Sildar, who calms Sister Garaele and Crissie with his greeting.
“Vidruth!! I was afraid the ruffians had taken you down, yet you live and breath!—BY ILMATER’S SUFFERING, WHAT NEW FIEND IS THIS!,” he suddenly shouts, for behind him, scraping up the stairs, now comes One-Eye. The potion still works upon the cursed creature just as it does upon Vidruth, offering onlookers randomly shifting grisly revelations of its internal functioning. The creature seems to have lost interest in the laboratory and returned to look out over its lair, and now, a single tear beads up in its single oculus. “So much fresh meat!,” it whispers in hushed awe.
We now drop out of initiative, as all enemy combatants have been defeated. Indeed…
You have driven Glasstaff and his Redbrands from Phandalin! (Hoot!)
All may post & RP in any order. (Instruction: Do not rush through multiple actions or post multiple options. I want you to go one step at a time.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
vidruth grimly looks to sildar "how many?" he asks "how many died?" as he speaks he watches one eye slightly warily, but without much fear, the fallen mage seems busy and therefore not much of an immediate threat
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
Sildar answers in a grim tone, approaching Sister Garaele, Crissie, and the unmoving forms of your companions. “Sir Kiselina and Sister Daphyra… are badly hurt, unconscious, and Sister Garaele was unable to revive them.” He holds the half-orc’s eyes. “But you mustn’t lose hope. Her wisdom treads back centuries. She says that in her home she has potent remedies.
Now at the elf’s side, her striking all-blue eyes casting their own expression of sorrow, the priestess of Tymora nods to Crissie and Sildar, and the pair hoist up Daphyra and Kiselina and carry them out of the cavern into the southern tunnel and toward town.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
After waiting a moment, Marten assumes that any guards must have already left. Then he worried that perhaps they took the poor prisoners with them. He stows his bow, takes out his shortsword, and then opens the door (at Q4) and looks through.
(Note: Marten is still wearing the red cloak.)
Not wanting to leave Marten(and Vidruth for all he knows) alone, Berry turned back after defeating the skeleton. He is worried that more enemies might hide in dark corners and they shouldn’t go around alone here until they’ve made sure the area is secured. “I’m right behind you, Marten,” he says and offers, “Or I can enter first, if you wish.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Nosam takes a deep breath, collects himself, and begins following Berry. "Good to see you boys again without all the fightin' and whatnot. We getting out of here and headin' back to town or do we have more rooms to clear?"
Marten, Berry & Nosam
The door opens to a long room which is partitioned into three areas, with iron bars walling off prison cells at the north and south ends. Filthy straw lines the floors of those cells, the hinged doors of which are secured by chains and padlocks. A pair of disheveled human women are held in the cell to the south, while a human boy is confined to the north. All are dressed in filthy rags, smell as if they have not bathed in some time, and have iron collars fitted around their bruised necks.
They huddle in silent fear in the farthest corners of their cells, saying nothing, not daring to meet your eyes. The women hold each other in an iron embrace, watching your movements out of the corner of their eyes, while the boy hugs his knees facing the corner.
A heap of discarded clothing is piled carelessly against the far wall in the area between the cells.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Marten scans the room and then looks to Berry and Nosam, "The family of the woodcarver! Thel Drandrar. Thank the gods that the Glasstaff didn't take 'em when he fled!" He sheaths his shortsword in obvious agitation at the sight of the collared people. He glances at the women but only manages a weak smile and a nod. Then starts untying his red cloak as he scans the room for any sign of keys to open the cells. Perception 11
“How you know who they are? Well, anyway, let’s get them out,” says Berry and goes to help Marten to find the key or to open the locks another way. “You look awful,” he addresses the prisoners, “What have they done to you? Come, you need some food… and a good bath.”
“Nosam, can you ask Sildar and the others to wait up a bit and take them prisoners along? I’d like to check this place out some more but I don’t want them to have to be any longer in this place.”
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
"Absolutely, I think they are still near the crevasse?" Nosam backtracks the way he came and back towards the large room and calls out, "Sildar, you still in here?"
Movement- Dash full movement backtracking to the main room (50 ft)
Action/Bonus- Dash and Talking
Perception- 16
vidruth keeps a stern watch on one-eye the whole time, giving half of his attention to nosam and sildar, but never looking away from the nothic, who he still doesnt trust. after all, how can you trust someone who changes goals in moments? "nosam, one eye is temporarily an ally, or at worst a neutral party" he explains, making sure nobody makes the mistake of attacking him, at least not on such even standing
This Mug immediately shared with me a transcendental tale of an Infinite Mug that anchors the Universe and keeps it from folding in on itself. I filed this report under "illogical nonsense" and asked why its sign is in Times New Roman font, when it is basic knowledge that Arial Black is a far superior font. I wondered: How did this mug even get past the assembly line with its theistic beliefs and poor font choices?
quote from Romantically Apocalyptic by Vitaly S Alexius
Marten & Berry
The older woman, looking guardedly from Marten to Berry, at first seems unable to comprehend what is happening, yet her eye and the glance of the two children, particularly dwells on the red cloak Marten is wearing. Their faces harden, the boy turns back to the corner, and though they exchange glances, no one speaks for a long moment.
“Of course we look terrible. This what you lot did to us,” the mother says emotionlessly. “We haven’t eaten yet today. At least can the children have something?” Her voice drops to a whisper. “Please?”
The cell doors are locked with large padlocks, and the key is not to be seen, though the bars seem old and rusted and could perhaps be broken or bent somehow.
Nosam is able to catch up with Sildar and the others in the dark tunnel. “We will wait here,” he says, and Crissie carefully lowers Kiselina with a grunt.
As Vidruth watches, the strange creature does a little happy dance, and whistles tunelessly, climbing into the crevasse, organizing the bodies, and pulling those on the ledge down into its lair, cupping its ear waiting to hear each body land with a crunch. The voice of one of the drunk Redbrands who fell into the crevasse earlier, and who had fallen asleep, drifts up. “I’m not dead yet!,” but the sound is so weak and the crevasse seems to defeat acoustics, and no one hears it except for One-Eye, who does not seem concerned, and indeed, merely chuckles merrily.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"We?" Berry gasps in surprise at the accusations before he catches up. He glances at Marten, "He's not one of them Redbrand lot. And me neither. We've been looking for you to get you out. Haven't we, Marten?" he requests confirmation from Marten with a faltering voice, because he hadn't expected to be treated any other than the welcome sight of a saviour.
Berry left his backpack somewhere in the crevasse chamber when all the fighting started, he remembered, with all his rations. Maybe he could get them and offer some to them? "Can you open those locks, Marten? I could try to bend some of these bars but I need some tool for that. Perhaps, Nosam or Sildar brought a crowbar, or I find something useful in that storage space."
Berry waits for Marten's confirmation and input and then dashes behind Nosam to ask for a tool, help, or both, to bend the bars. "Hey Nosam! Do you carry a crowbar or somethin'? We might need to force some prison bars open to free a lady and her kids. Or do you have an idea where we might find the key to the prison cells?" He directs at One-Eye in a sudden moment of lucidity. "You would do well to help us after your stunt with the initial attacks," he offers half threatening, half offering a way for redemption.
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Marten stares blankly at the woman, not understanding at first, as he finishes untying the red cloak. He lets the cloak drop to the floor as Berry responds. "That's right, Berry!", he says. Then, looking at the woman: "Don' worry, Mrs. Dendrar, ma'am. You're safe now. I took that cloak from one o' th' Redbrands we dealt with this mornin' when they tried t' meddle with Stonehill." He tries to be reassuring, (Persuasion 6, in game log) but between the red cloak and his blood-stained armor, he's probably not the best messenger.
Marten is already starting to get out his tools when Berry suggests opening the locks. He says, "Yep, I'll try," and as Berry leaves the room, he calls, "Sure 'n' Vidruth -- or maybe Nosam? -- definitely had a crowbar."
Marten picks the lock on the women's cell first (Thieves' Tools 24, in game log). Once he opens that lock, he swings their cell door open with a curt nod and then gets to work on the lock of the boy's cell (Thieves' Tools 14, in game log).
"Certainly do." Nosam hands over his crowbar to Berry. "Do you need any extra rations for the kiddos? We have to get them out of this mess, especially since Sildar can take a group of 'em."
Marten, Berry & Nosam
"He's not one of them Redbrand lot. And me neither. We've been looking for you to get you out. Haven't we, Marten?"
"That's right, Berry!", he says. Then, looking at the woman: "Don' worry, Mrs. Dendrar, ma'am. You're safe now. I took that cloak from one o' th' Redbrands we dealt with this mornin' when they tried t' meddle with Stonehill." (Persuasion 6)
Ah, now. Now the eyes of the hopeless begin to fill with a light that the death of a husband and father followed by long fearful days in captivity had extinguished utterly: a flickering of Hope! The boy turns suddenly, his face still a mask, but now looking at the soft-spoken rogue and the tiny giant lit by that same light, hope!, and the carpenter’s wife and daughter sit up straighter moment by moment, realeasing each other to make room for — can it be?… the embrace of freedom?
A minute later breath held by all, and a soft Clack! accompanies the release of the lock on the women’s cell door, which swings open, and the pair stand, dizzy from the sudden motion.
“You… you came for us. I.. I’m sorry about what I said, they’ve been coming and going… every few days new men join them. Seem to be no shortage of cruelty in the world to send so many running to answer the call. We’re not even the first or the only ones they took. They said there have been at least a dozen. People they took on the road, then sold as slaves to the brothels and galleys in Waterdeep. They planned to take us there tomorrow.” Hot tears of relief now stream down her face as her daughter steps out of the cell.
The boy stands now, holding the bars of his own cell with trepidation and awe, and although the lock is beyond Marten’s ability to crack, soon Nosam and Berry come with rations — which the three fall upon, gratefully but plainly starving — and a crowbar.
(Let’s have STR or Athletics rolls from Nosam & Berry to open the second cell, DC 22, with advantage due to the crowbar.)
One-Eye, under Vidruth’s watchful er, eye, ignores Berry, its focus entirely upon its gruesome gustatory windfall.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Fuelled by exactly the sentiment that inspires a triplet of devastated-turned-hopeful souls that look up to you for their salvation, Berry summons a strength, that seems as if it must be coming from some other source than what the small stature of the young fairy rightfully should be able to muster. He fixes the crowbar in a spot at the bottom of one bar that is near the wall, that he thinks might be softened by some occasional water leakage, or other liquids? Whatever... he discards the thought. He fixes the crowbar and leans against it with all his weight (which isn't much) and pushes himself up nearly vertical, with his feet pressed against the wall and his entire tiny body straining and the bar creaking...
|| Oriace - Halfling Bard - Dragon Heist || Valerian - Elf Rogue - Wildnis || b'Reh - Stig Cleric - Humblewood || Rowan - Halfling Giant - Runewarren || Khazela - Spiritfarer Dervish - Tribute || Arista - Frost Sorcerer - Old Keep || Zephirah - Demonic Bard - Sands || Merry - Gifted Surgeon - Short || Marasatra - Blood Mage - Avernus || Lan - Dwarf Dragon - Wuxian ||
Marten gives an embarrassed nod to acknowledge her thanks. He looks away from her tears and focuses on the other cell's lock. While he works, he says, "Don' worry, ma'am. You've been through an ordeal, 'n' that's puttin' it lightly. Sister Garaele 'n' Crissie are here. They'll take care of you once we get your son out."
Thwarted by the second lock, Marten steps back to make room for Berry and Nosam. He finds it hard to look at the starved people ravenously eating their first full meal. Wanting something to do, he says, "I'll be right back." Marten steps out of the room and returns to the pit to retrieve his rope. He returns to the sarcophagus room to coil up the rope and stow it away. If Marten and Berry are still not done, he searches the sarcophagus room while he waits to see whether there's anything else of interest here now that they've defeated the undead.
Investigation 5 (or, if that should be Perception, 8)