If the group chooses not to continue exploring, Nickeline will find an alcove and cast Scrying on the city continuously for about an hour, hoping to find a good path for the group to take to the tomb and to identify whatever threats are visible.
Hewelathan suggests, "Maybe Tamphalic could send his little bat to explore, and you could scry on it and let us know what it sees at the edges of the city. If it finds a nest of giant spiders or something, we could just go far enough into the city to clear them out. Whatever we accomplish today means less to do tomorrow! Then we can come back here to a cave or...alcove...or...something, and set a watch for the night. I guess it's night now, right?" He looks around uncertainly, realizing that he might put his bedroll in the middle of Underdark's equivalent of the High Road without realizing it. Hopefully, Ruby and Korba can find a safe spot for them to rest.
"Once any creatures in the city know that we are here,"Hildegard says thoughtfully, from the back of Perdita, "it will be much more difficult to find a safe place to retreat to. We could be tracked, once we attack and they are aware we are in the vicinity. I think it makes more sense to rest and observe, and make our strategy then. A quick strike may be more advantageous, before forces can be mustered against us. If we are too tired to make the assault tonight, and have no clear plan, I think it would be better to wait until tomorrow." Though she sits stoically in the saddle, the paladin does look tired from their long travels already today.
It looks like Korba, Nickeline, and Hildegard all want to stop and make camp. Jodie sounded 50/50, so unless Tamphalic is really enthusiastic about spending a little time in the city before a Long Rest, Hewelathan concedes. He helps secure / hide the kobolds' boats and then set up camp for the night.
Jodie listens the the various opinions, "Yes, I agree it would be unwise to alert the undead, spiders, or driders to our presence prematurely. But we should secure the area and setup far away from any trails or activity. We could try and just gather information on a stealth run this evening."
Alright, it sounds like the party is planning on bunking for the night and doing some stealth-scouting. Will some of the party members go into the city, or are you going to rely on the bat scout/scrying combo?
As for the campsite, do you set up camp in the city, or do you settle in some ways out? And what, if any, measures do you take to try to hide your campsite?
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Hewelathan suggests, "Maybe Tamphalic could send his little bat to explore, and you could scry on it and let us know what it sees at the edges of the city. If it finds a nest of giant spiders or something, we could just go far enough into the city to clear them out.
"That's way simpler than what I was thinking. Tamphalic, if you and Whiskers are willing, I can definitely do that," says Nickeline.
We could try and just gather information on a stealth run this evening."
"I would be willing to go with you on an exploration run. This armor that you gave me is quite quiet, and being down here has put a bit of a spring in my step to be honest. Let us see what we can learn."Korba says to the group as he sets his equipment down where they plan to camp.
"Whiskers is always happy to fly around, and should be able to fly unnoticed, I hope" Tamphalic answers "Camping here is fine with me aswell, I'll ensure there is no hidden magic" He says before ritually casting detect magic. After which he sends out Whiskers
"Whiskers go fly around the city and see for any dangers. Nickeline will be watching you as you'll be to far away for me to do it."
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"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war |Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Jodie chimes in, "I'm going of course, I love exploring! I don't expect I'll be heard with Hewey's abjuration. I'm good at spotting trouble and can fly away if needed."
So, it sounds like Hewelathan, Jodie, and Korba (at least) are going to explore the city a little. Just before they enter the city, Hewelathan would cast Pass Without Trace. They should both be covered by the spell as long as they remain within 30 feet of him at all times. Depending on how it looks closer to the city (e.g., how much light, how covered in spider webs, etc.), Hewelathan might also Wild Shape right after he casts the spell so that he's already in a beast form in case anything surprises them.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Korba stealth 30
Happy to always be in his loose clothing, and though he's fully expecting to stay undetected, as they approach the city Korba places a hand on his chest and a slight dusting of cold sand surrounds him and falls to his feet. He then stalks along with the others, his hand fingering the whip at his waist just out of habit, ready to draw it should it be needed.
The three companions move in utter stealth and darkness into the city. Jodie has her longbow ready in the event of a ranged attack, as they creep through the gloom.
The three companions move in utter stealth and darkness into the city. Jodie has her longbow ready in the event of a ranged attack, as they creep through the gloom.
Jodie whispers, "What traces do you see Hewey? I can help look for tracks"
Disadvantage without light but canceled by Jodie helping?
Answer to the question in the second spoiler: yes. Hewelathan, go ahead and make a straight Survival roll.
Granted, it isn't hard to see the rather disturbing number of spider webs, the more difficult thing is figuring out where actual lairs with living spiders are and which webs were left a long time ago.
Jodie whispers, "What traces do you see Hewey? I can help look for tracks"
Answer to the question in the second spoiler: yes. Hewelathan, go ahead and make a straight Survival roll.
Granted, it isn't hard to see the rather disturbing number of spider webs, the more difficult thing is figuring out where actual lairs with living spiders are and which webs were left a long time ago.
Trying to figure out where the active lairs are: Investigation11
(OOC: Heh. We'll be lucky if Hewelathan doesn't stumble into a spider web!
To be clear...)
Hewelathan's goal in entering the city was to see gather more insight into the state of the city:
Are the buildings and streets largely intact or falling into ruins?
In particular, if they need to rest while in the city, will they be able to find an intact building where they could rest out of open view?
Is the city teeming with life or mostly just a ghost town, sparsely populated with undead and monsters?
Is there any sort of active guard at the edges of the city? Or just giant spiders looking for an easy meal?
How "open" is the space? If the streets are wide and uncluttered and the buildings are big and spacious, then he'll be able to use his Large wild shapes more easily.
So yeah... with that nat 1, Hewelathan does in fact stumble into a spider web...
Fortunately, Hewelathan's belt will make it incredibly easy for him to break free, and it doesn't look like there are any giant spiders nearby when it happens.
Looking around the city, it's worn-down, but doesn't look like it has fallen into ruin to the same degree as the city on the Shaded Isle, probably in large part due to the fact that these underground ruins have been shielded from the elements. There are a fair number of (mostly) intact-looking buildings that could be used as emergency shelters if you need to shelter within the city.
The streets look like they are mostly pretty narrow, though there are several larger 'main streets' that you could use to travel, with the downside being that the party will be more visible.
You don't see any spiders in the immediate vicinity... though you get the uncomfortable feeling that this may be more because you aren't especially familiar with the environment and/or the species rather than because they actually aren't there...
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"Driders!", Hewelathan says, thinking of Shri, the Drider barkeep back at the inn. He realizes that he should have asked her more about her abilities.
"Yes," Hewelathan agrees with Jodie. "You always know the best way to phrase things! 'Clearing out some dangers' is what I meant."
Hewelathan suggests, "Maybe Tamphalic could send his little bat to explore, and you could scry on it and let us know what it sees at the edges of the city. If it finds a nest of giant spiders or something, we could just go far enough into the city to clear them out. Whatever we accomplish today means less to do tomorrow! Then we can come back here to a cave or...alcove...or...something, and set a watch for the night. I guess it's night now, right?" He looks around uncertainly, realizing that he might put his bedroll in the middle of Underdark's equivalent of the High Road without realizing it. Hopefully, Ruby and Korba can find a safe spot for them to rest.
"Once any creatures in the city know that we are here," Hildegard says thoughtfully, from the back of Perdita, "it will be much more difficult to find a safe place to retreat to. We could be tracked, once we attack and they are aware we are in the vicinity. I think it makes more sense to rest and observe, and make our strategy then. A quick strike may be more advantageous, before forces can be mustered against us. If we are too tired to make the assault tonight, and have no clear plan, I think it would be better to wait until tomorrow." Though she sits stoically in the saddle, the paladin does look tired from their long travels already today.
It looks like Korba, Nickeline, and Hildegard all want to stop and make camp. Jodie sounded 50/50, so unless Tamphalic is really enthusiastic about spending a little time in the city before a Long Rest, Hewelathan concedes. He helps secure / hide the kobolds' boats and then set up camp for the night.
Jodie listens the the various opinions, "Yes, I agree it would be unwise to alert the undead, spiders, or driders to our presence prematurely. But we should secure the area and setup far away from any trails or activity. We could try and just gather information on a stealth run this evening."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Alright, it sounds like the party is planning on bunking for the night and doing some stealth-scouting. Will some of the party members go into the city, or are you going to rely on the bat scout/scrying combo?
As for the campsite, do you set up camp in the city, or do you settle in some ways out? And what, if any, measures do you take to try to hide your campsite?
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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"That's way simpler than what I was thinking. Tamphalic, if you and Whiskers are willing, I can definitely do that," says Nickeline.
Hewelathan is willing to cast pass without trace and go with anyone who wants to explore the city.
If they can get back out of the city without being followed while that spell is running, then nothing should be able to track them back to their camp.
"I would be willing to go with you on an exploration run. This armor that you gave me is quite quiet, and being down here has put a bit of a spring in my step to be honest. Let us see what we can learn." Korba says to the group as he sets his equipment down where they plan to camp.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
"Whiskers is always happy to fly around, and should be able to fly unnoticed, I hope" Tamphalic answers "Camping here is fine with me aswell, I'll ensure there is no hidden magic" He says before ritually casting detect magic. After which he sends out Whiskers
"Whiskers go fly around the city and see for any dangers. Nickeline will be watching you as you'll be to far away for me to do it."
"grandpa" Salkur, Gnome Arti/Sorc: Forged in Chaos | Pepin, Human Arti/Cleric: Goblin horde | Mixtli, Volc Genasi Arti: Champions of the Citadel | Erix Vadalitis, Human Druid: Rising from the last war | Smithy, Human Arti: Night Ravens: Black orchids for Biscotti | Tamphalic Aliprax, Dragonborn Wizard: Chronicles of the Accursed | Doc, Dwarven Cleric (2024): Adventure at Hope's End | Abathax, Tiefling Illriger: Hunt for the Balowang | Gorin Mestel, Human Arti: Descend into Avernus
Jodie chimes in, "I'm going of course, I love exploring! I don't expect I'll be heard with Hewey's abjuration. I'm good at spotting trouble and can fly away if needed."
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
So, it sounds like Hewelathan, Jodie, and Korba (at least) are going to explore the city a little. Just before they enter the city, Hewelathan would cast Pass Without Trace. They should both be covered by the spell as long as they remain within 30 feet of him at all times. Depending on how it looks closer to the city (e.g., how much light, how covered in spider webs, etc.), Hewelathan might also Wild Shape right after he casts the spell so that he's already in a beast form in case anything surprises them.
Okay, I'll need those Stealth checks, then (with a +10 bonus from the spell).
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Jodie's stealth: (29)
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Hewelathan Stealth 26
Korba stealth 30
Happy to always be in his loose clothing, and though he's fully expecting to stay undetected, as they approach the city Korba places a hand on his chest and a slight dusting of cold sand surrounds him and falls to his feet. He then stalks along with the others, his hand fingering the whip at his waist just out of habit, ready to draw it should it be needed.
PbP 🎲: Tyekanik; Moneo Noree; Korba Muris; & occasional DM:
The three companions move in utter stealth and darkness into the city. Jodie has her longbow ready in the event of a ranged attack, as they creep through the gloom.
Don't forget the Whiskers the bat.
Jodie whispers, "What traces do you see Hewey? I can help look for tracks"
Disadvantage without light but canceled by Jodie helping?
Fargen Hill Dwarf Cleric/Barbarian - Hoard of the Dragon Queen, Jodie Olwen Half-Elf Bard- Chronicles of the Accursed
Answer to the question in the second spoiler: yes. Hewelathan, go ahead and make a straight Survival roll.
Granted, it isn't hard to see the rather disturbing number of spider webs, the more difficult thing is figuring out where actual lairs with living spiders are and which webs were left a long time ago.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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Hewelathan: Survival 18
Trying to figure out where the active lairs are: Investigation 8
(OOC: Heh. We'll be lucky if Hewelathan doesn't stumble into a spider web!
To be clear...)
Hewelathan's goal in entering the city was to see gather more insight into the state of the city:
So yeah... with that nat 1, Hewelathan does in fact stumble into a spider web...
Fortunately, Hewelathan's belt will make it incredibly easy for him to break free, and it doesn't look like there are any giant spiders nearby when it happens.
Looking around the city, it's worn-down, but doesn't look like it has fallen into ruin to the same degree as the city on the Shaded Isle, probably in large part due to the fact that these underground ruins have been shielded from the elements. There are a fair number of (mostly) intact-looking buildings that could be used as emergency shelters if you need to shelter within the city.
The streets look like they are mostly pretty narrow, though there are several larger 'main streets' that you could use to travel, with the downside being that the party will be more visible.
You don't see any spiders in the immediate vicinity... though you get the uncomfortable feeling that this may be more because you aren't especially familiar with the environment and/or the species rather than because they actually aren't there...
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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